It's all about perspectives

I've written over the last year about my focus on discovering what more I wanted to discover! As you can see from my summertime entries, the process was challenging for me and I found out much about what I did not want while at the same time much that I did want.

Recently I made a big discovery... I simply like to be right. Ok, not that I didn't know that before, but I realized that my emotional reaction to things that crossed me the wrong way was a result of me holding on ever so tightly to my perspective without giving anyone else room for their own.

So I've made a commitment to myself: I will appreciate other perspectives for what they are -- other perspectives!

Like cookies in the bakery, I will pick the ones that I like and leave the rest for others!

In the meantime, I still have my favorites. Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AbrahamHicks

Not for Me

Though I'm sure this is a great book that I could benefit from, from the title, it certainly isn't my style! If anyone reads the book and recommends it even though the premise goes totally against my grain, I'd consider it. Let me know...

Greed

Maybe I am just in a cynical mood. I would never describe myself as that -- but it is true I am slow to throw my heart into an organization, cause or ideology. For most things, the closest can get myself is an arms-length distance.

So the news today about Whole Foods was sad, as it confirmed that my caution is well-founded.

Is all business about greed?

Of course not. Motivation by desire is natural but greed might be defined as amped up desire combined with a disregard for others for personal gain. Amped up desire is a motivator; but it does not have to deteriorate into deceit. I refuse to give up on my belief that people can have integrity and great desire. It does not have to be about greed.

Integrity is the real issue. Check out Whole Foods' Core Values. Did I read this correctly?

Integrity In All Business Dealings
Our trade partners are our allies in serving our stakeholders. We treat them with respect, fairness and integrity at all times and expect the same in return.

Not only that, but the company was actually voted one of the best places to work in 2007.

Why does this bother me so much? I guess I expected more from a company that "sells" itself on values. I guess I can't believe how lame a mistake the CEO made. Check out the FAQ: he seriously just thought that was normal for a CEO to cloak his identity and hype his stock? I wonder if the "everyone does it" argument will hold up in court if it ends up going that far.

I don't shop at Whole Foods. If I did, I would now stop. I'm blessed with a small, local market that I love. I guess I can get off my tirade now. Back to business at a safe arm's length distance.

Evidence of a World Transforming

I just ordered the "Shift Report" from Noetic Sciences and can't wait to read it. I'm always looking for the "good news" that I know is out there about the fundamental shift that is taking place as more people become more conscious and make the decision to live deliberately. I love exploring the intersection of science and spirituality.

The 2007 Shift Report: Evidence of a World Transforming, attempts to chart the transition we believe is underway from a rigid, mechanistic, and materialistic worldview to one that is built on a foundation of interconnectedness, cooperation, and the intersection of science and spirituality.

Maybe you'll like it too: http://www.shiftreport.org/

I also emailed my hubby to ask for a reinstatement of my membership for my birthday... what a great gift -- no stuff, but lots to ponder!

Free Will

I love that our lives are based in freedom, and for me, there is no question about that fact. Our minds are free to create whatever we want. With the recent Independence Day celebration, my husband and I got kind of patriotic on our kiddos, as we reminded them what a great country that we live in, where people take a stand for freedom so know that they are really free.

Fireworks emphasized the point.

This was an interesting article (Defending Free Will: A fruit fly makes choices) that reminded me that others are still pondering whether or not we are free. The story of a fruit fly, of all things...

Perhaps it is our destiny to be philosophers...

: )

Roughin' it

We're back from a week of camping. You know, roughin it. We trecked a few minutes from our home to Newport Dunes, a great little campground on the bay side in Newport Beach.

It was so fun being so close yet so far away. Ok, maybe we didn't rough it. We had family visit, playdates scheduled and John even had to run home briefly to retrieve something we forgot. One night we ordered pizza delivered for dinner. I even logged in to their wireless network to check email one night and catch up on some work. Such convenience!

But even though it wasn't traditional camping, it felt like vacation. Our campsite opened to a nice grassy area that led right to the sandy beach. Swimming in the pool, playing on toys in the bay, movies on the beach, watching the kids play, warming by the campfire, eating ice cream and snowcones kept us entertained. The July 4th celebration was fabulous with a big event and terrific fireworks.

Speaking of fireworks...I LOVED the new ones! Especially the one I have heard called the "Rice Crispies" one that filled up the sky with sparkles. The UFO looking ones were interesting too. Still, my favorites are the big traditional booming fireworks.

I can't wait to "rough it" again!

Exercise Grows New Brain Cells

I know, I know, yes I know: I need to get back to the gym.

This article just added another reason to get moving again. Not only to be bathing suit ready or to get that strong open feeling that comes after a workout. Not to fit better into jeans or even to satisfy my kids love for playing at "Kids Club."

To build new brain cells. Yep, I need them as much as the next gal...

I'll have to let you know if the inspiration pays off...

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

My baby is 6! Well, almost. Today we celebrated her 6th birthday with 30 kids dancing the hula, jumping in a bounce house, hunting for seashells and smashing a pinata. Here are a few photos of the fun!

Mind Reading Toys

What will they think of next? I have to admit, this sounds pretty interesting... making it fun to practice how focusing thoughts results in favorable outcomes...

http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2007/04/29/691072-new-toys-read-brain-waves

My Worldview in 10 Minutes

This is one of the most succinct articulations of my worldview and personal philosophy available on the web. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. It's just over 10 minutes long, so if you don't have time now, save it and get back to me!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u21-Bx7bCEg

Life Goes On

Well, it ended like the entire season played out... for Tony Soprano, life goes on and we do not now know what is next. Even the way it ended -- as if the cable box went out (or the "lights" went out) -- emphasized that life is full of twists and turns, you get what you get and you focus on what's important in the meantime. But still, it's just slice of life, which still goes on even if no one is paying attention.

I like to think that everything was fine at dinner, "Don't stop believing..." However, perhaps the "Members Only" guy in the restraunt pulled the trigger and Tony never heard it when it happened, as Bobby described on the row boat a few episodes ago.

But what happened isn't the important thing; or better said, not knowing what happened is the important thing. As with all of the series, answers are not easy to come by and that is what made it great.

Graduation Surprise!

What a big week -- The Ducks won the Stanley Cup and my daughter graduated from Kindergarten!

And what better way to celebrate than by combining the two! Today Ducks' captain, Scott Niedermayer, brought the Stanley Cup to my daughter's school to celebrate the big win.

The playoffs have offered so much opportunity to reinforce lessons and ideas about hard work, winning, team spirit and good sportsmanship. What better way to cap it off. Scott answered questions from the students and took time with the kids (and parents) for photos! I couldn't help but snap a few!

The End is Near!

I have no idea why I enjoy "The Sopranos" so much! It really makes no sense when I refuse to have network news on in my home because it is too violent, that I love that show and haven't missed an episode in all the seasons it has aired. It is literally the only television show I've watched since my daughter was born nearly 6 years ago.

I guess I love that Tony is just a regular guy. With a good heart. Interesting values, of course, but at his core, just a regular guy doing his best. I can tell you that if Phil would have been in more episodes, I would have likely turned it off.

But now the end is near. The last episode is next week! The season has flown by. I will miss the anticipation of a new season and new episode and I'll make a point to give a new show a try. I must admit, watching the show together with John was what really made it worth it... I need another show to enjoy together with him!

If you have a favorite suggestion of a show that might hold my attention like The Sopranos did, please let me know!

Summertime!

The unofficial beginning of summer is here! Hooray!!!

Our family spent the weekend at the beach burying the kids in the sand, making sand-men, hunting seashells. The kids met other kid campers and loved the freedom of being able to run to the next-door camper to play.

The weather was warm and sometimes cloudy. Perfect weather for combining outside beach play with cozy indoor cards and books! A perfect, lazy weekend to begin the perfect lazy (at least a little lazy, I hope!) summer.

Go Ducks!

Tonight, my husband and I had the opportunity to join the Niedermayer family at the Ducks' playoff game. What energy! The Ducks won the game and the whole experience was fantastic. John and I even had the chance to sit on the ice, right next to the Duck's bench. The power and focus and speed are so much more intense close up!!

It is interesting to be that close to the action. It certainly gave me a whole new perspective of how strategy meets nitty gritty and body checks. Scott Niedermayer put it in perspective in a recent article. He "gets it." Scott describes his experiences in a way that show that when you're in alignment, good flows. Even in hockey. Amazing.

Welcome Dory!

We took the leap, and have added a new addition to our family! Dory, a sweet kitten joined us last week and she fits right in, as you can see.

Perspectives

I took some time away from blogging to regain a bit of (expanded) perspective. I realize that have the tendency for tunnel vision. : ) I'm making the effort now to deliberately seek out multiple perspectives so that I can see more of the horizon, so to speak. Partial view is OK sometimes, but I'm ready for the panorama!

I came across this quote that puts my tunnel vision into perspective so that I can laugh at how stuck I have been being:

Somebody was saying to Picasso that he ought to make pictures of things that way they are—objective pictures. He mumbled he wasn’t quite sure what that would be. The person who was bullying him produced a photograph of his wife from his wallet and said, “There, you see, that is a picture of how she really is.” Picasso looked at it and said, “She is rather small, isn’t she? And flat?” –G. Bateson

Save the World!

It seems that I cannot get too far into anything without someone trying to recruit me to save the world. Even my new magazine subscription. The interesting thing is that to convince me, they go so deeply into the description of what is so terrible that needs fixing that there is no vision of what they are wanting to accomplish or create other than: Not this.

Don't get me wrong: There are certainly things that I would change about the world to make it a better place for everyone. But it is my commitment to put my energy and focus into a positive vision of the future, not into fighting against the "bad stuff." I would be much more inspired to join in if people took the extra step of articulating or painting a picture of the ideal outcome they are creating.

I guess it is the "news" philosophy: Drama sells. Well, as more and more people pay attention to the discipline of living consciously, I am optimistic that we will find that vision wins over drama any day of the week.

The takeaway for me: I'm committed to finding communities that I align with and can fully embrace, contribute to and put my energy into. My daughter's school is one of those places. I'm eager to find more, even if it takes wading through the contrast to get to the vision.

What is Enlightenment?

As I get connected to more and more resources and communities that integrate the thinking that I am exploring personally, I ran into this magazine at my local health food store. What is Enlightenment does a terrific job of exploring topics in the spiritual, cultural and philosophical areas and how they impact politics, business, science, the arts, and the environment.

I subscribed. Not only that, but I also joined the Zaadz community for online discussion. I must say, I feel an almost physical sensation of being puuuulllllleeeeed out of my private little world where I have explored only personally for many years and I am both excited and feeling quietly cautious about going public and connecting with like-minded people around the world!

We'll see...

Trust Yourself

Today, while much of the country was enjoying freezing winter weather, we dressed the kids in their bathing suits and headed to the beach. It was a beautiful almost-spring day.

When we got there, the surf had created a big drop -- 5 feet or so-- between the sandy sand and the shoreline. I started to warn the kids not to get too close to the edge when John stopped me. "Where better can the kids learn about climbing and jumping and test their boundaries than in the soft sand at the beach? They can learn to trust themselves."

Lesson learned. Again. I feel like I'm learning that lesson all over the place these days. As I continue my new year promises, particularly the Light Body course, I've definitely had many questions and have been guided to many new things to explore. Part of me really wishes I had some sort of guide to follow, but in an area that is totally personal, there is no such thing. Of course there are lots of things that claim to be that, but those don't work for me. "Go inside and listen to your guidance" is all the meaningful direction I get.

I'm learning to trust myself. Sometimes it is liberating. Sometimes it is a little scary. Sometimes I feel like I'm really doing great. Other times, I feel myself falling back on my busy life to avoid newness for a while. I know it is all OK and I'm really enjoying the journey.

I'll link to some of the resources and new discoveries I've been finding in future posts. I'm not sure where they all fit. Some I'll explore more deeply than others. But it is all part of the web and a format like this helps me keep those links alive.