Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening

This is an impressive article. So much so, I am required to share it. I, too, have found in my practice incessant self-recrimination. Please take what feels right for you and leave the rest. I find this a great reference source:

Symptoms of Spiritual Awakening

2012 Campaign Trail

Click to view:
CA 2012 fb campaign

A little campaign music:

“Everything is practice.” – Pele

Here we are in 2012. Right? Here. Now. In 2012.

We have drafted, re-written and posted our intentions, goals, renewed our hopes, dreams and visions.

Now. It’s time to get to work, act, ‘n just do it!

I have cleared some spacial clutter so far. More to go (my practice). Now, it time to hit the books, again, for my Eden Emergy Medicine Certification, Class 4 and practice. Still looking for volunteers…… I have Pele to look up to. I AM practicing to be a super-star in my universe.

What steps have you started on thus far?

Here are a few suggestions from a Practicing Zen-ist: Leo Babauta/Zen Habits.com

http://zenhabits.net/

New Year Focus 2012

“SUNRISE” PHOTOGRAPHY: FRANZ SCHUMACHER

In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect, whole, and complete.
My life is ever new.
Each moment of my life is new and fresh and vital.
I use my affirmative thinking to create exactly what I want.
This is a new day.
I am a new me.
I think differently.
I speak differently.
I act differently.
Others treat me differently.
My new world is a reflection of my new thinking.
It is a joy and a delight to plant new seeds, for I know these seeds will become new experiences.
All is well in my world.
(UNKNOWN- ALTHOUGH I WOULD LOVE TO CREDIT THIS WONDERFUL AFFIRMATION. THANK YOU, UNKOWN, FOR SHARING THIS)

To One And All

Thank you for Being in my DREAMs.
NAMASTE,

Feelin’ Gulity?

Just a wee bit after Turkey, stuffing, gravey, butter, pie, and seconds?

Take a gander at my fellow Zen traveler, Leo Babauta’s
Get Back on Track” from his Zen Habits Blog.
http://zenhabits.net/guiltfree/

Wouldn’t we rather spend the time and thoughts on a fitter-me than on the Mea-culpe loop? I know I am back on track. Who’s comin’ out to play?

Turn Black Friday UPSIDE DOWN

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Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
Chinese Proverb
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Give the GiFT that keeps on Giving:
www.vittana.org/gifts
******

SIMPLE GRATITUDE

IN GRATITUDE OF MY STUDENTS, PAST , PRESENT AND FUTURE. IT IS AN HONOR TO WATCH YOU TIME-LAPSE BLOSSOM.

The No New Gifts Holiday Challenge

Another thoughtful insight from Zen Habits

Post written by Leo Babauta.

Are you ready to participate in the mad shopping frenzy that we partake in every year, not only on Black Friday but all holiday season long?

Are you ready for an incredible burst of spending, for racking up credit card debt, for the stress of buying things for everyone on your list?

Are you ready to consume an insane amount of resources, to have a huge impact on the environment, to work long hours to pay for all that?

Yep, it’s the holiday season again, and with it comes the worst season for consumerism ever.

I say, let’s opt out.

My family and I are issuing a challenge to all my wonderful readers, to the world: The No New Gifts Holiday Challenge.

What is this crazy challenge? It’s simple — follow all these rules:

Buy no new gifts during the holidays.
Wait, whaaat? Don’t fret, there are alternatives:

Make gifts, like crafts or construction type gifts.
Bake or cook consumable gifts like cookies.
Give the gift of your service — wash cars, give a massage, babysit, clean a house, mow lawns, etc.
Buy used gifts at thrift stores.
Donate to charity, as a group.
Volunteer at a charity together.
Have a shared experience together.
Create something, together, instead of consuming.
Give to others things you don’t need (a good sewing machine, etc.).
Find gratitude for what we already have.
Are you in? Take the challenge! It’ll be fun, you’ll save a ton of money, and your family will get creative. Read on.

The Tradition of Traditions

Many people will scoff, and say they love giving gifts. It’s a tradition, after all!

Well, sure. But new traditions can be made if the old ones aren’t working out. And I’d argue the tradition of buying gifts is broken. Read: The Case Against Buying Gifts.

Do we really want to teach our children that giving is really all about buying? Do we want to teach them that to show love, you must buy something? Do we want to set an example of consumerism instead of creativity? Are we saying that the only way a family or friends can get together is if we spend a crapload of needless money?

No. Let’s be more creative. Let’s create new traditions.

What kind of traditions? What if families got together and played games? Built things? Went outdoors to hike, play games, swim, play in the snow, camp out? What if families taught each other how to make things?

What if families got together to help others? Volunteer at a soup kitchen, help others build houses, clean up a neighborhood? Show that giving can be amazing, but it doesn’t have to involve consumerism.

Get creative. Get healthy. Get constructive. Get compassionate.

But the sales! All the money I’ll save!

I think you know this already, but it’s worth reminding ourselves that when you shop during a sale, you aren’t saving money. You are spending it.

The best way to save money is by not buying at all.

Sure, there are some necessities that we need, but holiday sales are not about necessities. They’re about convincing you that all these TVs, iPads, Kindle Fires, iPods, video game systems, clothes, power tools and more are necessities. You can’t escape buying all this stuff, because it’s Christmas dammit! So come down and save some money, and sign up for store credit while you’re at it.

When retailers offer you a major sale, this is a good time to run in the other direction. They’re trying to trick you into buying something you don’t need. When you see an advertisement for something, anything, it’s a good time to shut off whatever you’re watching, or go to another website. You don’t need it. Opt out of Black Friday, at the very least. (We’ll talk about next year later.)

But … my family won’t!

First, your whole family doesn’t have to do this. Just you. You’ll be an oddball, and some people won’t understand, but you’ll be leading by example. Send them a link to this post, and tell them Leo made you do it. Just because everyone else is doing massive consumerism, doesn’t mean you have to.

Second, don’t be fatalist. Your family might be willing to change, if you at least start the discussion. Again, send a link to this post. Ask them what they think. Challenge them to get creative.

This could save your family thousands of dollars, and be incredibly gratifying in the process. Instead of spending hours of shopping apart from each other, you could be spending hours together, doing things. Celebrate the holidays simply.

Talk about the benefits of changing, and the problems with the way things have been done.

These holidays weren’t always about massive shopping. What did people do before department stores and malls and online retailers? How did they ever survive? Let’s try to remember.

Dealing with Difficult People

Some friends or family members absolutely won’t join you. That’s OK. You don’t need to force this on anyone.

Remember that everyone will change at their own pace, and not everyone will embrace changes like this. They’ll feel threatened, or criticized. You need to try not to come off as critical of others, but more positive.

Tell them that they are not required to join you, but that you want to do this for your own sanity. You are trying to save money, but mostly you want to move away from consumerism. Ask only that they respect this.

Others might insist on getting you presents. Politely ask that they don’t, but if they do, don’t be ungrateful. It can be awkward — for years I’ve asked family not to buy me presents, only to have some of them buy me stuff anyway. I don’t buy them anything, so it’s weird. But these days I just smile, and say thank you, and appreciate the effort. It’s a long education process, trust me.

In the meantime, you can still suggest starting other traditions, like playing games or going outside or volunteering.

Be patient. Others don’t like to be forced into change, so just be the change you want to see in the world.

******
Thank you, Leo, once again.

Just another thought as well:
-donate to the cause of your choice or your recipient’s choice in their name helping a great need one person at a time starting with me.
- buy from your friends and neighbors:
www.trumpnetwork.com.ninagomes
www.mutability in motion
http://www.numerologybydale.com/home.html
http://www.bethvendryeswilliams.com/
http://www.vittana.org/howitworks
https://secure1.heifer.org/gift-catalog=CKe4oobly6wCFcya7Qodomb6qw
https:www.chironarts.com

Add your suggestions to your comments:
Happy, creative Holidays !

Give Thanks

Give thanks for unknown blessings
already on their way.

Native American proverb

Giving thanks this season:
for the roof over my head
for my sons content with joy and Life
courageous in their embrace of challenge and change
for the peace I live in this very day, my dreams simple and true this very moment
for health and my passions I share with ALL around me
for this Earth and her renewable gifts and stars to see
for enough and beyond enough
more than my eyes can see
for Love
I give thanks.