The Treasure of Stillness
October 30, 2009
by Kamalla McNamara
Living in a world of constant bombardment, our senses are continuously overwhelmed. Gadgets that are meant to save us time and energy have overtaken every moment of our lives, and multi-tasking is looked upon as a great benefit. Although we try to do many things at the same time, we find that our lives seem fragmented, incomplete and empty. Do we stop to look in the direction our actions are leading us?
Stillness has lost its place. A moment of time alone is not only rare, but we often fill these spaces with the incessant chatter of our minds. We are so concerned with missing out on anything “important” that we can’t even see the real treasure that is right inside of us.
Becoming totally present and turning inward, starting with a few moments every day, will foster within us a deeper sense of knowing and understanding our greater purpose. It will help us to get in touch with our higher consciousness, who we really are and give us a true sense of direction.
The next time you have a free moment, resist the urge to turn on the TV, pick up your cell phone or get on the computer. Just sit down, be still, be quiet, turn off your mind and take a look inside… Enjoy the stillness. We have within us everything we could ever want, and what we are continually searching for in the outer world—all the joy, all the love, all the wisdom and infinite light. It is all right there, inside. Take the time to look within; it is well worth the treasure you will find.
Kamalla McNamara lives in Ashland, OR with her husband and four children. She is active in yoga, spirituality, dance, vegetarian cooking, caring for her family, and finding the beauty and joy in every moment.
The Sequel
October 22, 2009
by Pamela Wright
Unfold my soul
In the basement where
Boxes and tubs hide under stairs
Filled with memories treasure tears
Humor mystery and the outworn
Handle with care each piece as though
Its legend and viscera still pulsed
With blood and mettle
Saturating every cell and pore
With passion for the bygone
Benighted satisfied loved.
Unearthed luminous once more
Unwrapped examined for
Crevices with regret verdict sentence
Breath imprisoned and set free
Discovering all had been reborn renewed
Through trial acuity resolve
Not unlike bud to blossom coal to diamond
My soul unfurled
Heart letting go.
Pamela Wright, eight-month newcomer to Portland, Oregon, is a writer and part time cook. She loves her family of 3+8 (kids and grandkids) and honesty toward the authentic questions of life. Practice of Bach Flower essences, homeopathy, healthful nutrition, humor and mindful living are predominant in her day-to-day.
The Intelligence of Bees
October 20, 2009
by Tegan Carter Lange
I believe connectedness is the key to unlocking the barriers to a more peaceful, equitable, happier world. When our minds are opened to the thoughts and experiences of other people we are no longer limited by the bounds of our own narrow understanding. Misunderstandings, unsupported assumptions, and, especially, lies, lead to fear of the unknown and clinging to the little we think we know. When we learn to be comfortable with the vulnerability of opening ourselves to others we are able to collaborate in sifting through our collective ideas and experiences and together we gather the nuggets of truth embedded within. We accumulate and amalgamate these nuggets into a larger, clearer concept of truth. To then continually humble and open ourselves to others in order to exchange each of our own unique collections of truth only furthers the opening of minds and continues the culling of untruths, culminating in a greater intelligence achieved only collectively.
This is not unlike the hive intelligence of bees. Individually, each bee contains the capacity for very little knowledge, yet through a form of communication humans can only speculate about, the hive as a whole has a greater culminated knowledge than any one bee can contain or be held responsible for. The more we locate, assimilate, and disseminate truth the closer we, as a whole organism, come to fully understanding and making better decisions regarding the earth and the creatures who live upon it.
Your “End Game” – A Vision to Keep You Moving Forward
October 16, 2009
by Christine Comaford
Your vision is a portrait of your future-an image that inspires you, that you feel deeply passionate about and that you are willing to work toward. It articulates your heart’s desires and your values. Your vision motivates you to take actions that may enlarge your comfort zone, and that are necessary to realize your dream. When you have a clear, compelling vision, it informs every choice you make. You are aware that every action you take-whether small or large-is either a step closer to or a step further away from the business of your dreams, and essentially, from the life of your dreams.
First, let’s start with envisioning your end game, which is what you want your business to look like in a few years. Do you want to create a lifestyle business, perhaps a business that generates a terrific revenue stream and you run for many years to come? Or do you want to build up your business and one day exit it, via a merger, acquisition or initial public offering? There’s no right answer. And today’s answer could change tomorrow. The reason I want you to consider this is because where you want your business to go determines how you set it up, how you run it, and who you bring into it. Let’s do a quick vision exercise.
A vision…
* Engages your heart and your spirit
* Expresses your deepest desires for yourself and the ones you love
* Provides meaning to the work you are doing
* Is the release of unexpressed desires
* Is ever-evolving and ever-growing
* Often expresses your longing for a greater quality of life, financial independence, an improvement in the quality of your relationships, surroundings and experiences.
Your vision is your own, and is unaffected by others’ desires, expectations or beliefs in you. Be bold in creating your vision, and reach not just for what you want, but also for what you want for your loved ones. Make your vision so powerful that, each time you revisit it, you are moved, inspired and reconnected with your reason for working on your business, and the legacy you want to leave.
Christine Comaford, CEO Freedom Fighter
CEO of Mighty Ventures, Inc.
NY Times Best Selling Author
To get great tools on how to create a strong foundation for your business’ future, feel free to join Christine’s Facebook Group, Business Renegades: http://tinyurl.com/6xos94
