How Do You Feel? >>> What Do You See?

I've been on a path of treatment for chronic depression for the last six months. This blog is a clear therapeutic aid for me.

To focus on what's Important, to clear my Vision, to reach out for Understanding and Share what I find...

God created us to Relate!

Some would, undoubtedly, say that the Internet isn't the place to do it. Actually, finding friends in cyberspace and maintaining those friendships is , to me, like what folks call "talking to angels".

All the normal cues for a physical relationship are removed. It's down to mostly words and the meaning they can carry. I'm certainly aware of all the techno-aids that are trying to mimic real-space interaction and the only one I use is provocative pictures--I'm not trying to cheat myself and pretend I'm in the same physical space when I'm not; I want to feel like I'm talking to Angels...

I chose that picture of roses because of my cyber-friend, Alexys Fairfield. I purposely defocused most of the picture to hint at something she wrote about the other day: Eyes In The Sky.

In that blog post, she said:

"I've always felt that there were eyes watching me. Eyes that need no invitation. Eyes that emanate warmth and kindness. Eyes that remind me of my past. Eyes that guide me to my future. Eyes that said nothing, but said it all. Eyes of resplendent glory and faith. Eyes of the invisible that became very clear.

"I do know that we are more susceptible to blind spots when we are overburdened. We can decrease our blind spots by becoming more aware of their existence. By becoming aware of "another set of eyes." They have always been there. Just ask your inner spirit to show you your blind spots. To define your vision. You may be surprised at what you find.

"When we do things that keep us from achieving the best we can achieve, we are blinded by the light. When there is a cohesion of our action and spirit, we are guided by the light.

"So on your journey to your ultimate self, don't forget to pack your extra set of eyes to help you through the murkiness. You are not alone. The eyes in the sky are upon you. Now and always."

Alexys always gives me a spark of Inspiration, a nudge toward clearer Vision.

I have another Friend, my most trustworthy human Angel, a man who spent 40 years in prison for His beliefs and left this physical realm in 1921. On the topic of Vision and what brings Joy or Pain He said:

“In this world we are influenced by two sentiments, Joy and Pain. Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness. But when sadness visits us we become weak, our strength leaves us, our comprehension is dim and our intelligence veiled. The actualities of life seem to elude our grasp, the eyes of our spirits fail to discover the sacred mysteries, and we become even as dead beings. There is no human being untouched by these two influences; but all the sorrow and the grief that exist come from the world of matter--the spiritual world bestows only the joy! If we suffer it is the outcome of material things, and all the trials and troubles come from this world of illusion.”

~~~ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 109-110

The Death of Violence !

We're already 8 days into A Season for Non-Violence.

Violence is still rampant on our Earth.

Can one person actually do anything about it?

Absolutely!

In fact, without many single people deciding they've had enough of animalistic responses to differences of opinion, we will All die (far too soon...)...

I want A Season for Non-Violence to speak to the world:

Vision

"As a human family we are asking the question: “How can any act of violence be recognized as a solution to the consequences of violence that we face today?” Violent actions and reactions are the scars of social, educational, and economic wounds... the voices of a spiritually inarticulate culture.

"The practice of nonviolence is initiated by choice and cultivated through agreement. The time has come to agree upon this as a global community--as if our lives, and those of our children’s children, depended on it. Our vision is of a better world for all human beings.

"To this end, we undertake “Gandhi & King: A Season for Nonviolence” by applying our efforts and resources to identifying, then bringing into focus the spectrum of grassroots projects and programs by individuals and organizations who are pro-actualizing a peaceful social order."

Mission

"Our mission is to create an awareness of nonviolent principles and practice as a powerful way to heal, transform and empower our lives and communities.

"Through an educational and community action campaign, we are honoring those who are using nonviolence to build a community that honors the dignity and worth of every human being.

"We are demonstrating that every person can move the world in the direction of peace through their daily nonviolent choice and action."

Still don't think You can do anything to help our embattled World?
I dare you to look through this list and Not find at least one positive action for yourself:

A Season for Nonviolence - 64 Ways in 64 Days ~
Daily Commitments to Live ByThese

principles for nonviolence were adapted by the Denver Area Task
Force for: A Season for Nonviolence - January 30-April 4, 1998

Inspired by the 50th & 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi
and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

1 -- Today, I will reflect on what peace means to me.
2 -- Today, I will look at opportunities to be a peacemaker.
3 -- Today, I will practice nonviolence and respect for Mother Earth by making good use of her resources.
4 -- Today, I will take time to admire and appreciate nature.
5 -- Today, I will plant seeds--plants or constructive ideas.
6 -- Today, I will hold a vision of plenty for all the world's hungry and be open to guidance as to how I can help alleviate some of that hunger.
7 -- Today, I will acknowledge every human being's fundamental right to justice, equity, and equality.
8 -- Today, I will appreciate the earth's bounty and all of those who work to make my food available (i.e., grower, trucker, grocery clerk, cook, waitress, etc.)
9 -- Today, I will work to understand and respect another culture.
10 -- Today, I will oppose injustice, not people.
11 -- Today, I will look beyond stereotypes and prejudices.
12 -- Today, I will choose to be aware of what I talk about and I will refuse to gossip.
13 -- Today, I will live in the present moment and release the past.
14 -- Today, I will silently acknowledge all the leaders throughout the world.
15 -- Today, I will speak with kindness, respect, and patience to every person that I talk with on the telephone.
16 -- Today, I will affirm my value and worth with positive "self talk" and refuse to put myself down.
17 -- Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.
18 -- Today, I will cause a ripple effect of good by an act of kindness toward another.
19 -- Today, I will choose to use my talents to serve others by volunteering a portion of my time.
20 -- Today, I will say a blessing for greater understanding whenever I see evidence of crime, vandalism, or graffiti.
21 -- Today, I will say "No" to ideas or actions that violate me or others.
22 -- Today, I will turn off anything that portrays or supports violence whether on television, in the movies, or on the Internet.
23 -- Today, I will greet this day--everyone and everything--with openness and acceptance as if I were encountering them for the first time.
24 -- Today, I will drive with tolerance and patience.
25 -- Today, I will constructively channel my anger, frustration, or jealousy into healthy physical activities (i.e., doing sit-ups, picking up trash, taking a walk, etc).
26 -- Today, I will take time to appreciate the people who provide me with challenges in my life, especially those who make me angry or frustrated.
27 -- Today, I will talk less and listen more.
28 -- Today, I will notice the peacefulness in the world around me.
29 -- Today, I will recognize that my actions directly affect others.
30 -- Today, I will take time to tell a family member or friend how much they mean to me.
31 -- Today, I will acknowledge and thank someone for acting kindly.
32 -- Today, I will send a kind, anonymous message to someone.
33 -- Today, I will identify something special in everyone I meet.
34 -- Today, I will discuss ideas about nonviolence with a friend to gain new perspectives.
35 -- Today, I will practice praise rather than criticism.
36 -- Today, I will strive to learn from my mistakes.
37 -- Today, I will tell at least one person they are special and important.
38 -- Today, I will hold children tenderly in thought and/or action.
39 -- Today, I will listen without defending and speak without judgment.
40 -- Today, I will help someone in trouble.
41 -- Today, I will listen with an open heart to at least one person.
42 -- Today, I will treat the elderly I encounter with respect and dignity.
43 -- Today, I will treat the children I encounter with respect and care, knowing that I serve as a model to them.
44 -- Today, I will see my so-workers in a new light--with understanding and
compassion.
45 -- Today, I will be open to other ways of thinking and acting that are different from my own.
46 -- Today, I will think of at least three alternate ways I can handle a situation when confronted with conflict.
47 -- Today, I will work to help others resolve differences.
48 -- Today, I will express my feeling honestly and nonviolently with respect for myself and others.
49 -- Today, I will sit down with my family for one meal.
50 -- Today, I will set an example of a peacemaker by promoting nonviolent responses.
51 -- Today, I will use no violent language.
52 -- Today, I will pause for reflection.
53 -- Today, I will hold no one hostage to the past, seeing each-as I see myself-as a work in process.
54 -- Today, I will make a conscious effort to smile at someone whom I have held a grudge against in the past.
55 -- Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness by apologizing to someone whom I have hurt in the past.
56 -- Today, I will reflect on whom I need to forgive and take at least one step in that direction.
57 -- Today, I will forgive myself.
58 -- Today, I will embrace the spiritual belief of my heart in my own personal and reflective way.
59 -- Today, I will enlarge my capacity to embrace differences and appreciate the value of every human being.
60 -- Today, I will be compassionate in my thoughts, words, and actions.
61 -- Today, I will cultivate my moral strength and courage through education and creative nonviolent action.
62 -- Today, I will practice compassion and forgiveness for myself and others.
63 -- Today, I will use my talents to serve others as well as myself.
64 -- Today, I will serve humanity by dedicating myself to a vision greater than myself.

Tags: Season+for+Non-Violence, action, individuals, non-violence, vision