Reflecting on positive ways forward

I haven’t written a Blog entry for a long time – there are so many Blogs, so much written, visual and auditory material on the internet, so is it really worth my spending precious time just adding more?

Mostly my answer to that is no. it isn’t.  There are more positive and amazing things I can be doing directly through my shamanic energy work.

However, I do find certain thoughts coming to the surface and forming into expression during these challenging times.  Maybe it will add something to offer them here:

One is, the importance of acting with integrity.  If you follow the link to this Wiki entry, it is interesting to see how incomplete it is – but worth reflecting on the different senses of meaning offered, for what integrity means to you.

Two is, the importance of making good choices rather than “decisions”.  If you follow the link, you can read and reflect on making choices on different kinds of decisions.

Three is, the importance of facing and dealing with your personal challenges – don’t ignore them, don’t run away and hide, don’t resort to actions that are less than honest, positive and life-enhancing.

Many of you face financial problems, loss of health, work, family, home – these are exactly the times to pare back to the basic principles.  Act with integrity, according to your own highest values and beliefs, make good choices – you are where you are – now create a better way forward for yourself, your family, your friends, your community, for all of us.

Believe in what you can create. and make it beautiful. Make it life-enhancing.

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Stepping into another’s shoes

Stepping into another’s shoes is useful to do: you gain new insights and maybe in experiencing the other’s point of view, conflicts can be avoided or healed as you better understand this different other.

Have you ever thought of taking this further and stepping into the experience of – plants, for example.  What do they want and need, if they could tell or show you how they feel?

Imagine, step inside and maybe this will help you grow your garden, create a greener cityscape or live in harmony with your plant neighbours.

What else would give you a new and useful perspective? What would your town or city say or show you? What would the land, buildings, rocks, earth say? Do any of these insights help you to be a better neighbour?

How about animals? Your pets, livestock, animals in the wild? Take the time to really notice and watch them. Do they seem healthy, happy and how and why do they behave as they do? Step inside, find out and while you’re there, notice how they experience you? Maybe you’ll find out, on the inside, different things than you may imagine from the outside.

Step inside another’s perspective and expand your own.

BBC Radio York chat about dreams

I visited BBC Radio York this morning to talk about dreams on the Breakfast Show – you can listen to the piece here:

Dreamwork – BBC Radio York

I’ll just sign off now…

Back last century when I did a secretarial course, it was all so easy – if you started “Dear Sir” you ended “Yours faithfully”. If you started “Dear Mr Bigby” you ended “Yours sincerely”.

Emails have changed all this, throwing our written leave-taking into confusion. Now our business correspondence is largely via email, and this is so much more informal, what is appropriate? And how do we differentiate between business and more personal emails?

For a while, I noticed “Best wishes, regards or kind regards”. All was fine and I tended to reciprocate in kind. “Love” as a sign-off was reserved for my family and close friends – loved ones.

But somehow people can’t leave it at a standard sign-off; or perhaps, tempted by a loosening up of conventions, their creativity and self-expression has started to blossom. Anyway, when stuck in the company of my computer and unable to ‘people watch’, I started noticing the variety of closing messages:

Some people seem to have started varying the warmth of their closing sign-off, perhaps in an attempt to make emails more personal. So I have received ‘warm wishes, warmest wishes and warm regards from those who wish – well, to add more warmth to their sign-off. Today I received “fondest wishes” in the first communication from a new acquaintance, which prompted these reflections.

Some seem to want to add a spiritual element, or to show their spiritual allegiance, by signing ‘Namaste’, ‘Bright Blessings’ or ‘Angelic blessings’, while others seem to have an urge to be creative, to personalise or to make their own individual mark.

I was suitably impressed some years ago by the NLP Master Trainer who started signing off with “Be Well”. It was the most original and unique sign off and, better still, a positive suggestion. Others must have liked it too, as this particular signature statement has been much copied amongst the NLP/personal development community, who have taken it up, or tried for their own variations of “Stay Well” (not so good if the recipient is not well) or “Get well” (equally unfortunate if they regard themselves as already well) or “Be Well Now” for added emphasis!

Meanwhile the originator continues to use his sign-off, probably secure in the knowledge that ‘us NLPers’ all know where this one originated…

So what is your experience? What is the most unusual, meaningful or interesting closing wish or greeting you have received? And does your own signature statement reflect the message you wish to convey?

Wishing you, dear reader, the most stimulating blessings of mind, body and spirit you could possibly wish for on this bright and cheerful day,

Susanna

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Quality or Quantity?

Quality or Quantity? This is important to consider, especially in the current tough economic climate, when finances are so tight for everyone.

Do you buy quantity of the cheapest foods to feed your family, but maybe lose out on nutritional quality? (And through public demand, supermarkets drive down prices so far that producers of quality foods may be driven out of business and the quality option is potentially lost?)

This is how local shops and personal service lost out to superstores and large shopping malls. This is how jobs and labour and product in development and production are outsourced to countries where labour and material costs are cheaper, thereby losing these jobs at home. Yes, this may be creating new jobs elsewhere, but also may be leading to ‘sweatshops’ as labour costs are screwed down. It doesn’t seem ethical or sensible, but is it necessary and unavoidable? (And yes, some do redress this injustice by ensuring fair trade prices to local producers overseas – but none of this helps the problem at home.)

Setting aside ethical questions for a moment: while money / cost is a necessary consideration, I feel that quality is the better choice – it makes more sense.

Better nutrition – quality – and maybe you need less bulk. Or the less you can then afford actually does you more good.

In my own field, finding the right training, rather than any cheapest option, makes sense, as you get what you really need to get the skills and experience you want. If the cheaper options don’t give you that, it is not a saving, and may be a complete waste of money.

Like some people I know, who buy clothes and shoes in the sales, because they are ‘bargains’ and cheaper – but they are never quite the right size, or colour or fashion.
They don’t look and feel quite right and they don’t end up wearing them, or if they do, they don’t feel and look as great as they look and feel in the higher price things they love in the right colour and size.

I don’t advocate spending wildly, but investing in quality, choosing wisely and having less ‘clutter’ around ? Definitely, YES.

Choose quality in your life. You don’t need so much quantity – much of it is just clutter.

Many of the ‘savings’ are false savings anyway – the endless sales and price reductions and offers are driven by the public’s demand for cheaper prices and bargains.

Yes, prices must be kept competitive, but beyond a certain point, materials and labour cost a certain amount and that is it – push it more and what you get is sub-standard goods and poor service. Or you drive people out of business and the quality is no longer available. Is that what you really want? If so, don’t complain when goods don’t last, service is poor and food is tasteless and leaves you listless, low in energy and overweight.

If you would rather be healthy, skilled, fulfilled and paid what your time and effort is worth, and you want the same for others – then go for quality, every time.

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Searching for Something? Read this, it may help

The Love Stream, Part 1 of 4

Are you seeking something?  A sense of purpose, meaning or spirituality in your life?  A solution to your problems and life’s challenges?
So many are, and if you are here, it may be painful, but also a meaningful place to be, a high aim to hold.

Or are you one of those who has found something?  The great, meaningful purpose or cure-all that seems to hold all of life’s answers?  Maybe it is religion, spirituality, your Path, or a personal development system to make you more success / money / power / health / attractive or whatever else you value?
If you are here, great!  Enjoy it and make the most of it.  Share it, if others ask, but please avoid becoming too evangelical and trying to force your ‘answer’ on them!

Or have you reached acceptance, let go of seeking, to be in the present moment?
If you are here, this may feel right and a good place to stay, for a while.

Are any of these places or positions “The Answer”?

I have spent time in all three positions and each seemed ‘right’ at the time.  I have spent time studying many therapies, personal development systems, spiritual traditions – I have spent much of my life practicing and teaching these, and my conclusion is –

No, These are not the answer.
None of them.

The answer is Love
Love is the Key
Love is the Ki – the energy of the universe, at the root of everything –
Love is the answer,
Flowing through everything,

Love is God, God is love
Love is in the Oneness and the Oneness is love
Love is the Goddess and the Goddess is love

Make some time today to think of the people, things and places you love.  To reflect on love itself, and see what happens…

The Love Stream, Part One of Four…

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So much to do, and all of it right now

There is so much to read, so much to catch up on after being away. So much to do and all of it seems important.
How can I do everything quickly, now?
How can I be sure nothing gets forgotten?

The answer is, I can’t. I can only hold my clear Intentions, relax into the Flow and trust that each thing to be done will appear at the right moment, each thing important for me to read will catch my eye and draw my attention – Let’s see if it works!

A dear one has died…

A dear member of my family has died.  And I am sad because I shall not see her smiling face again; this world feels emptier without her.

I am not sad for her, after such a good life, touching and blessing all around her, she must surely be in the light of Spirit now. No, I am happy for her. I am sad for myself, who misses her.

And yet I remember times together, as a string of sparkling jewels. Moments only, but blessings that last forever. I still have these.

She is still here, in the thoughts of all who loved her and the world is a better place for her life.

Love and blessings on your way, Dorothy.

Gordon Ramsay beats the Credit Crunch

I watch very little TV but I flicked through the TV channels yesterday evening and ‘Ramsay’s Great British Nightmare’ grabbed my attention. Local restaurants are struggling to tackle the credit crunch by cutting costs and raising prices, while the public is generally eating out less frequently. Is there an alternative? Gordon Ramsay thinks so and has come up with a strategy that will benefit local restaurants, local food producers and everyone who wants high quality, delicious food at reasonable prices.  Better still, I think his credit-crunch-beating strategy can work for any business and any individual in these challenging times.

 

Ramsay is straight talking, brutally honest and insists on high standards. While his language is not always for the faint-hearted – he swears a lot – he is passionate while expressing his values and ideas and his arguments are convincing, eloquent and inspiring.  He made me re-examine my assumptions and attitudes to the current credit crunch, and filled me with hope that I can find ways to move through this phase positively, retaining my highest values for quality and good service.

 

Here are some of the positive value messages I got from the programme –

 

• Quality, fresh, home made, local produce and high quality goods and services can and should be provided at good prices.  When they are, these are what the public will choose and everyone benefits. 
• Businesses (and individuals) taking proactive, creative, practical ACTION to respond to the changing times will benefit and thrive.
• Supporting each other as a local community – in this case local produce growers, farmers, butchers working with local restaurants to provide quality healthy tasty food at affordable prices for the local community – means everyone benefits.

It is worth realising that historically in the most challenging times of economic depression and in this present credit crunch –

 

• People can still start and build successful businesses (Ramsay recently opened a new restaurant)
• People can make money and be successful without having to cut corners on quality, service or value.

The credit crunch is real and these tough times force a much-needed change to our spending habits and financial commitments.  I believe it is also vital to think carefully first and make our choices consciously, with awareness, and not just through some panic response –

 

Reflect on what has value for you. What practices, relationships and resources are essential to preserve throughout these times and which changes will create a more positive, healthy and stable future?

 

Now use this as a guide to where you should spend and where you can save or cut back – in terms of resources of all kinds – your money, your time, your energy, your focus, your work, your family and friends, your leisure – review and prioritise all your resources. 

 

My recommendation is for us to use our highest values and ethics as guidelines to move gracefully through these challenging times, so that we may carry the best forward to a brighter future.  My thanks go to Gordon Ramsay and his ’Great British Nightmare’ for this timely reminder about the importance of focusing on quality, local relationships and mutual support.  

 

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New Year game – Shamanic Quest

Susanna & Jerry

 

Start 2009 with a shamanic adventure: a quest for signs and portents for your year ahead! 

Decide on where to go for a walk and for how long – this can be anywhere and for any length of time – the main thing is to decide in advance.  For example you could go for a walk round town for half an hour, setting off from your front door, or you could decide to drive somewhere and set off from there for a specified length of time. 

Now this is decided, the universe can move in mysterious ways to send signs and significant events to occur during your walk. J

Now locate your owl, animal guide, significant other, family and friends and take them out with you for a walk.  (If you’re on your own, or would rather go out on your own, Intend to meet someone or something interesting on your way!)

 

Before you set off, decide on 1 specific thing you’re going to look for and count – such as cats, dogs, crows, Renault cars, people wearing hats, a particular type of tree – choose something you are likely to see some of, but not loads, as you don’t want to be counting throughout your walk.  If several of you are going together, you can pick the same or different things to look for and count and you can help each other, if you spot one of the other person’s things for them.

 

Now off you go, relax, enjoy, open up your senses to the world around you.  Notice the sights, smells, sounds, physical impressions.  Walk mostly in silence to keep your attention open to this experience.  Note anything that seems unusual, significant or that draws your attention, to reflect on later.  If you meet anyone on your way, consider any conversation and meeting significant.

 

When your agreed time is over and your walk completed, return home to reflect on your experience.  If you have gone in a group, you can now tell each other about the things you noticed, and you may be able to help each other interpret these things as signs and portents in relation to your year ahead.

You can creatively and freely play with exploring these symbols and meanings, and go into them in as much depth as you like.  For example, suppose you met someone who asked you for the time: you could imagine this means that people will be asking you for help / information – for your time, perhaps, in this year ahead.  You could take this as a signal to be aware of the value of your time and to use it wisely – perhaps you are someone who always helps or gives their time when asked, and maybe it would be good for you to sometimes say no.

 

Make it a game and a light-hearted exploration, nevertheless taking forward something positive and meaningful to you, for the year ahead.

 

Finally – the thing you counted?  That’s the number of wonderful surprises and pieces of good luck you are going to experience in 2009!

 

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2009!

 

Susanna

(who is now going out for a walk with Phil and Jerry Owl)