David Hicks is due for release from Adelaide's Yatala Labour Prison next week on 29 December, but does not know whether he will be subject to a control order. We believe control orders violate human rights, and that he must be allowed to return to a normal life.
As we approach the sixth anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre on 11 January, there are still 290 men detained there without charge.
We are marking the anniversary with a global day of action. Join us outside the U.S. Consulate in Sydney's Martin Place at 8am on Friday 11 January 2008. Meet our new National Director, members and staff as we call for the U.S. to immediately shut down Guantanamo Bay. Take part in the largest orange jumpsuit action in Australia.
Check out all the action info at the link
Friday, December 21, 2007
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Exciting, defining times for women
Exciting, defining times for women
Tracee Hutchison
IT'S HARD to identify the exact moment I knew Australia was
experiencing a seismic shift in identity and direction over this past
week. There have, after all, been so many monumental occurrences to
choose from, it seems impossible to rank or compare them.
John Howard's comeuppance. Julia Gillard's sustained grace in the
tally room. Maxine McKew's unbridled euphoria as she resisted the
temptation to gloat. And Peter Costello's smug exit. All of it gold.
But if I had to nominate a flashpoint when I felt my body jolt upright
with exultant anticipation and gushing love of country, it actually
came courtesy of the first lady-elect, Therese Rein.
When Kevin Rudd walked on stage to claim his place as Australia's 26th
prime minister, the woman he calls his life partner stood with her
hand in his beside him, and shimmied. She leant forward and, with a
cheeky glint in her eye, shook her shoulders from side to side and
shimmied. And it was glorious.
If ever there was an image to differentiate the old from the new on
election night, it was Therese Rein's shimmy. As surprising as the
revelation that I've placed a shimmy above Australia electing its
first female deputy prime minister and Maxine McKew's "in heaven no
one's blind" moment might be, the shimmy said it all.
It was sassy and confident and delicious. And 100% woman. Suddenly we
had a first couple who were smart, successful AND sexy. It was magnificent.
And it set the tone for how the rest of the week unravelled. The new
Opposition crumbled and the Government-elect unveiled its new line-up,
complete with a posse of impressive, talented women who would help run
the country.
After too many years of twin-sets and pearls in the federal
government, Australia finally has a group of governing female MPs who
reflect the status of women and the diversity of our lives in
contemporary Australia.
Finally, we have a group of women in the highest office in the land
who don't make me feel like a freak.
Women who are the daughters of migrants, women who are single and/or
childless, openly gay, unmarried with children, married with children
but who haven't taken the surname of their husbands and others who have.
Our first couple will be known as the Prime Minister and Ms Rein. Oh,
for the moment our PM is name-tagged Kevin Rein on an overseas trip.
It is significant and noteworthy that half the women Kevin Rudd has
given high-profile cabinet and portfolio responsibilities to are
childless and/or unmarried – the Deputy Prime Minister to name just
one. It is a great moment for generational change and validates the
often difficult choices so many of us have made to pursue our careers.
And it is so very welcome.
Finally, Julia Gillard gets the long last laugh over those appalling
misogynist attacks on her character, her life choices, her hairdo, her
voice and her wardrobe – that undermined so many other women in the
process – as Deputy Prime Minister.
The daughter of working-class Welsh migrants, 46-year-old Gillard came
to Australia in 1966 when she was five.
She'll juggle the massive portfolios of education, employment and
workplace relations. And become acting Prime Minister later this month
when Rudd is in Bali for climate change talks. So much for the empty
fruit bowl barbs; her plate looks pretty full to me.
There are many other great stories in Labor's new team of leading
women: 37-year-old Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for Housing and the
Status of Women, 40-year-old Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health and
Ageing, and 39-year-old Senator Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate
Change and Water – the first Asian-born female MP and openly gay – are
just a few.
Look out for 30-year-old Kate Ellis, the new Minister for Youth and
Sport. She's young. And it's exciting. As is the parliamentary debut
of Maxine McKew, who – after tipping out PM Howard in Bennelong –
becomes the parliamentary secretary to PM Rudd. Then there is Labor
veteran and former deputy leader Jenny Macklin, the new Minister for
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
These are exciting and defining times in Australian political life and
in our nation's history. And they are exciting and defining times for
Australian women. We are finally at the table of power in this country
and it's been a long time coming.
Let's all get down and shimmy!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tracee Hutchison is a Melbourne writer and broadcaster.
Tracee Hutchison
IT'S HARD to identify the exact moment I knew Australia was
experiencing a seismic shift in identity and direction over this past
week. There have, after all, been so many monumental occurrences to
choose from, it seems impossible to rank or compare them.
John Howard's comeuppance. Julia Gillard's sustained grace in the
tally room. Maxine McKew's unbridled euphoria as she resisted the
temptation to gloat. And Peter Costello's smug exit. All of it gold.
But if I had to nominate a flashpoint when I felt my body jolt upright
with exultant anticipation and gushing love of country, it actually
came courtesy of the first lady-elect, Therese Rein.
When Kevin Rudd walked on stage to claim his place as Australia's 26th
prime minister, the woman he calls his life partner stood with her
hand in his beside him, and shimmied. She leant forward and, with a
cheeky glint in her eye, shook her shoulders from side to side and
shimmied. And it was glorious.
If ever there was an image to differentiate the old from the new on
election night, it was Therese Rein's shimmy. As surprising as the
revelation that I've placed a shimmy above Australia electing its
first female deputy prime minister and Maxine McKew's "in heaven no
one's blind" moment might be, the shimmy said it all.
It was sassy and confident and delicious. And 100% woman. Suddenly we
had a first couple who were smart, successful AND sexy. It was magnificent.
And it set the tone for how the rest of the week unravelled. The new
Opposition crumbled and the Government-elect unveiled its new line-up,
complete with a posse of impressive, talented women who would help run
the country.
After too many years of twin-sets and pearls in the federal
government, Australia finally has a group of governing female MPs who
reflect the status of women and the diversity of our lives in
contemporary Australia.
Finally, we have a group of women in the highest office in the land
who don't make me feel like a freak.
Women who are the daughters of migrants, women who are single and/or
childless, openly gay, unmarried with children, married with children
but who haven't taken the surname of their husbands and others who have.
Our first couple will be known as the Prime Minister and Ms Rein. Oh,
for the moment our PM is name-tagged Kevin Rein on an overseas trip.
It is significant and noteworthy that half the women Kevin Rudd has
given high-profile cabinet and portfolio responsibilities to are
childless and/or unmarried – the Deputy Prime Minister to name just
one. It is a great moment for generational change and validates the
often difficult choices so many of us have made to pursue our careers.
And it is so very welcome.
Finally, Julia Gillard gets the long last laugh over those appalling
misogynist attacks on her character, her life choices, her hairdo, her
voice and her wardrobe – that undermined so many other women in the
process – as Deputy Prime Minister.
The daughter of working-class Welsh migrants, 46-year-old Gillard came
to Australia in 1966 when she was five.
She'll juggle the massive portfolios of education, employment and
workplace relations. And become acting Prime Minister later this month
when Rudd is in Bali for climate change talks. So much for the empty
fruit bowl barbs; her plate looks pretty full to me.
There are many other great stories in Labor's new team of leading
women: 37-year-old Tanya Plibersek, the Minister for Housing and the
Status of Women, 40-year-old Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health and
Ageing, and 39-year-old Senator Penny Wong, the Minister for Climate
Change and Water – the first Asian-born female MP and openly gay – are
just a few.
Look out for 30-year-old Kate Ellis, the new Minister for Youth and
Sport. She's young. And it's exciting. As is the parliamentary debut
of Maxine McKew, who – after tipping out PM Howard in Bennelong –
becomes the parliamentary secretary to PM Rudd. Then there is Labor
veteran and former deputy leader Jenny Macklin, the new Minister for
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
These are exciting and defining times in Australian political life and
in our nation's history. And they are exciting and defining times for
Australian women. We are finally at the table of power in this country
and it's been a long time coming.
Let's all get down and shimmy!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tracee Hutchison is a Melbourne writer and broadcaster.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Every Day Heroes
Turn Your Everyday Living into Giving
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/
is an organisation whose mission is to connect people with the charities and causes they care about to increase overall giving.
Multiply your fundraising efforts, turn everyday purchases into donations. Join now and turn your everyday living into giving.
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/
is an organisation whose mission is to connect people with the charities and causes they care about to increase overall giving.
Multiply your fundraising efforts, turn everyday purchases into donations. Join now and turn your everyday living into giving.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
New Australian online Political Party
SOL launches Australia's first online political party
Senator On-line claims to be Australia's first internet-based political party, and says if its gets a candidate elected to the Senate, all Australians will be able to view and vote on every bill which goes through the Senate. SOL senators will vote in line with the majority ruling of the people's vote. I'd like to be able to vote online (if the technology was unriggable and not a "hanging chad" disaster like the voting machines in the last American election) and being able to scrutinise the political process online would be great. But what if you don't have internet access? I'd like SOL's ideas better if they offered a plan to ensure internet access for all Australians.
(From Springwise Newsletter)
Senator On-line claims to be Australia's first internet-based political party, and says if its gets a candidate elected to the Senate, all Australians will be able to view and vote on every bill which goes through the Senate. SOL senators will vote in line with the majority ruling of the people's vote. I'd like to be able to vote online (if the technology was unriggable and not a "hanging chad" disaster like the voting machines in the last American election) and being able to scrutinise the political process online would be great. But what if you don't have internet access? I'd like SOL's ideas better if they offered a plan to ensure internet access for all Australians.
(From Springwise Newsletter)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Bottled Water Not Cool Anymore
This blurb is from the Mercola.com health newsletter....
“ Bottled water is pricey, contributes to global warming, litter, and solid waste, and is usually no safer or healthier than tap water. Increasing numbers of environmentalists, shareholder activists and church groups are targeting the leading sellers of bottled water.
" For example, shareholders working with an activist group called Corporate Accountability International have asked Coca-Cola to report on the sources and safety of its bottled water, and environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club have urged their supporters to consume less bottled water.
"Salt Lake City's outspoken mayor, Rocky Anderson, asked city officials to stop handing out bottled water at meetings, and a handful of high-end restaurants have stopped serving it.”
Check out more on this issue at http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Bottled-Water-Not-Cool-Anymore-12481.aspx and read more about plastics in an up-coming issue of Action Change. www.actionchange.com
“ Bottled water is pricey, contributes to global warming, litter, and solid waste, and is usually no safer or healthier than tap water. Increasing numbers of environmentalists, shareholder activists and church groups are targeting the leading sellers of bottled water.
" For example, shareholders working with an activist group called Corporate Accountability International have asked Coca-Cola to report on the sources and safety of its bottled water, and environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club have urged their supporters to consume less bottled water.
"Salt Lake City's outspoken mayor, Rocky Anderson, asked city officials to stop handing out bottled water at meetings, and a handful of high-end restaurants have stopped serving it.”
Check out more on this issue at http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Bottled-Water-Not-Cool-Anymore-12481.aspx and read more about plastics in an up-coming issue of Action Change. www.actionchange.com
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Live Earth Concert - tix on sale tomorrow
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Sydney Live Earth concert at Aussie Stadium on July 7.
Included on the bill are Crowded House, Missy Higgins, Jack Johnson, Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe, Toni Collette and Sneaky Sound System.
The Live Earth Concerts will be across 9 continents, on the very special date of 07.07.07.
As well as Sydney the concerts, which will cover 24 hours around the globe, will be in New York, London, Johannasberg, Shanghai, Tokyo, Rio, Hamburg and Instanbul.
The concerts aim to promote awareness of environmental issues, particularly Climate Change.
Tickets are on sale through Ticketek.
Included on the bill are Crowded House, Missy Higgins, Jack Johnson, Wolfmother, Eskimo Joe, Toni Collette and Sneaky Sound System.
The Live Earth Concerts will be across 9 continents, on the very special date of 07.07.07.
As well as Sydney the concerts, which will cover 24 hours around the globe, will be in New York, London, Johannasberg, Shanghai, Tokyo, Rio, Hamburg and Instanbul.
The concerts aim to promote awareness of environmental issues, particularly Climate Change.
Tickets are on sale through Ticketek.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
The Solution to Eco Friendly but Ugly Cars
I’ve thought for a while that I would one day buy a car when manufacturers came up with a sexy eco-friendly model.
I’m not just talking about an LPG-run car, but a truly all-round enfren product from the car seats to the fuel. So far I haven’t found one that looks good as well.
I’ve just realised the solution was there all along. Instead of forking out 30 to 40 grand for an ugly enfren car, I can buy a used diesel model, any one I like, and fill it up with filtered vegetable oil from my local organic vego restaurants!
It’s easy to do, uses up cooking oil that would otherwise be put into land fill, is the cheapest fuel around, and I get to reuse a car to boot (ha ha).
If you’re interested in making diesel fuel from recycled cooking oil, check out these websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel
www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/vegetable_oil_fuel.php
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html
www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/
I’m not just talking about an LPG-run car, but a truly all-round enfren product from the car seats to the fuel. So far I haven’t found one that looks good as well.
I’ve just realised the solution was there all along. Instead of forking out 30 to 40 grand for an ugly enfren car, I can buy a used diesel model, any one I like, and fill it up with filtered vegetable oil from my local organic vego restaurants!
It’s easy to do, uses up cooking oil that would otherwise be put into land fill, is the cheapest fuel around, and I get to reuse a car to boot (ha ha).
If you’re interested in making diesel fuel from recycled cooking oil, check out these websites.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiesel
www.dancingrabbit.org/biodiesel/vegetable_oil_fuel.php
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_svo.html
www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/
Monday, May 14, 2007
New Format E-mag launched!
Well, the new HTML format of the e-mag is out and about and hopefully you would have all receieved it by now. Please let me know if you didn't, as I'm trying out a new automated subscritpion service.
A couple of business things first:
Correction in Product Hits. Mark from envirosax tells me that their bags are designed in Oz and the company is Australian, but the bags are in fact made in China. Apparently this is the case with all bags nowadays.
Correction: In the EFT article, I mention a book You Can Heal Your Life, by Loiuse Hay, but I wrote Denise Hay. Apologies.
Well all that being said it's great to finally have it out in a big glossy format that's easier to read and can fit in oodles of piccies. I'd love your feedback on what you love and what you'd like to see change or improve. Send your letters to me at editor@actionchange.com. They'll be a new Reader's Letters column in the next edition, so look out for that one.
Thanks for tuning in and sending in all your news, views and ideas.
A couple of business things first:
Correction in Product Hits. Mark from envirosax tells me that their bags are designed in Oz and the company is Australian, but the bags are in fact made in China. Apparently this is the case with all bags nowadays.
Correction: In the EFT article, I mention a book You Can Heal Your Life, by Loiuse Hay, but I wrote Denise Hay. Apologies.
Well all that being said it's great to finally have it out in a big glossy format that's easier to read and can fit in oodles of piccies. I'd love your feedback on what you love and what you'd like to see change or improve. Send your letters to me at editor@actionchange.com. They'll be a new Reader's Letters column in the next edition, so look out for that one.
Thanks for tuning in and sending in all your news, views and ideas.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Plastics and recycling symbols article
A friend of mine at ENVOSO, Sarah Crawford, requested a while ago an article on plastics, and what the symbols on the bottom of plastic containers means. So in an upcoming edition of Action Change I'll put in this info. Just to let you know, just because plastic has a circle or triangle of arrows on it, doesn't mean it's recyclable. It needs to have the symbol of what plastic it is in the triangle. And even then, just because something IS recyclable, doesn't mean that we in Australia, or your local council recycles it. The best thing to do in the meantime is contact your local council and find out what plastics they are currently recycling: often they'll have a printed guide.
I've also been asked about the safety of plastics for food and water. A program on health, viewed on one of our commercial networks recently had this as one of their stories. I was very interested to see that the person they used as their `expert' on the safety of plastics was a head of the plastics industry in Australia! Does anyone else see how biased that is? I often wonder if everyday Australians think about things like that: even recognise what happened in that situation. We're not really taught to be media savvy, and I thnk it washes over most people. It would've been ok if they at least sought the opinion of someone on the other side of the fence, but the program failed to do even that. I am not impressed. Especially from a program that touts itself as being the real deal about health issues. Stay tuned...
I've also been asked about the safety of plastics for food and water. A program on health, viewed on one of our commercial networks recently had this as one of their stories. I was very interested to see that the person they used as their `expert' on the safety of plastics was a head of the plastics industry in Australia! Does anyone else see how biased that is? I often wonder if everyday Australians think about things like that: even recognise what happened in that situation. We're not really taught to be media savvy, and I thnk it washes over most people. It would've been ok if they at least sought the opinion of someone on the other side of the fence, but the program failed to do even that. I am not impressed. Especially from a program that touts itself as being the real deal about health issues. Stay tuned...
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Mother's Day Green Present Ideas
I've just read in the on-line mag Shesaid.com some great ideas for Mother's Day that don't cost the earth. It's a great idea and so I've listed a short version of each of the gift ideas...
• Extraordinary Friendships through Breast Cancer: Celebrity Portraits by Rankin is a stylish and inspirational photography book, perfect for Mum’s coffee table. Launched to raise funds for the McGrath Foundation and Breast Cancer Foundation W.A., the book holds thirty stunning celebrity portraits captured by internationally renowned photographer Rankin. From actors like Goran Visnjic to supermodel Jerry Hall, the striking imagery and powerful stories demonstrate the important relationships these Breast Friends have formed. The Breast Friends book is available online at www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au and www.breastcancer.org.au RRP: $25.00
• Treat your mum to some nostalgia with Not All Tea And Scones, directed by Carmel Travers. Not All Tea And Scones provides a sensory feast as we follow the journey of a small group of rural women as they prepare for the annual “The Land Cooking Contest” in Narrabri, in far western New South Wales. The DVD is filled with beautiful imagery as the women tell their remarkable stories of strength against adversity in the Australian outback, and share recipes for great country fare.
Available on DVD for SRP $29.95 from ABC Shops, ABC Centres, ABC Online www.abcshop.com.au and leading video retailers.
• When you choose one of seven beautiful cards from Gifts that Give, you choose to donate towards the health, education and protection of children in developing countries. For example, the Wellbeing card ($14) will provide a vaccine carrier to remote locations; the Discovery card ($30) provides pencils and exercise books for 180 children; the Comfort card ($40) provides mosquito nets for four families to protect against Malaria; and the Nurture card ($60) can save the lives of 14 severely malnourished children. UNICEF gifts can be purchased online at www.unicef.org.au or by calling 1300 365 943.
• Is your mum a nature lover? Why not surprise her this Mothers Day by adopting a shark? She won't have to cook or clean for it, but she will be helping bring the endangered grey nurse shark back from the brink of extinction. There are fewer than 500 of these magnificent animals left of the east coast of NSW due to overfishing and loss of habitat. All proceeds of marine themed gifts from the Nature Conservation Council go back into the grey nurse shark conservation program. Choose from cute gifts like a Save Fluffy! T-shirt, or some risqué jewellery. From $70. Click here for more info. • The perfect gift for Mother’s Day, charity initiative The One-Armed Cookbook, contains a collection of easy and delicious recipes from celebrities - including international celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Hot Chocolate Fondant; Lorna Jane’s Toasted Muesli and Kochie’s Hello Dolly Squares and Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s Beef Wellington. The recipes are specifically chosen for busy people wanting to create tasty food on the run. 100% of funds raised will be donated to Australia’s largest Perinatal Research Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, helping Australia’s premature babies get the best possible start in life, and helping women become mothers of healthy babies. RRP: $29.95 The One-Armed Cookbook can be purchased at www.onearmedcookbook.com or by calling 1300 363 786.
• This Mother’s Day, War Child Australia is encouraging you to give your mum an invaluable gift she will treasure – donate to War Child and help a child affected by the turmoil of war. All donations over $2 made to the War Child Relief Fund are tax deductible and donations can be made via cheque, money order, direct bank deposit or by credit card through Pay Pal.For more information about War Child Australia visit www.warchild.org.au For the full article go to shesaid.com and get the email newsletter from 17th April 2007
• When you choose one of seven beautiful cards from Gifts that Give, you choose to donate towards the health, education and protection of children in developing countries. For example, the Wellbeing card ($14) will provide a vaccine carrier to remote locations; the Discovery card ($30) provides pencils and exercise books for 180 children; the Comfort card ($40) provides mosquito nets for four families to protect against Malaria; and the Nurture card ($60) can save the lives of 14 severely malnourished children. UNICEF gifts can be purchased online at www.unicef.org.au or by calling 1300 365 943.
• Is your mum a nature lover? Why not surprise her this Mothers Day by adopting a shark? She won't have to cook or clean for it, but she will be helping bring the endangered grey nurse shark back from the brink of extinction. There are fewer than 500 of these magnificent animals left of the east coast of NSW due to overfishing and loss of habitat. All proceeds of marine themed gifts from the Nature Conservation Council go back into the grey nurse shark conservation program. Choose from cute gifts like a Save Fluffy! T-shirt, or some risqué jewellery. From $70. Click here for more info. • The perfect gift for Mother’s Day, charity initiative The One-Armed Cookbook, contains a collection of easy and delicious recipes from celebrities - including international celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s Hot Chocolate Fondant; Lorna Jane’s Toasted Muesli and Kochie’s Hello Dolly Squares and Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s Beef Wellington. The recipes are specifically chosen for busy people wanting to create tasty food on the run. 100% of funds raised will be donated to Australia’s largest Perinatal Research Centre at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, helping Australia’s premature babies get the best possible start in life, and helping women become mothers of healthy babies. RRP: $29.95 The One-Armed Cookbook can be purchased at www.onearmedcookbook.com or by calling 1300 363 786.
• This Mother’s Day, War Child Australia is encouraging you to give your mum an invaluable gift she will treasure – donate to War Child and help a child affected by the turmoil of war. All donations over $2 made to the War Child Relief Fund are tax deductible and donations can be made via cheque, money order, direct bank deposit or by credit card through Pay Pal.For more information about War Child Australia visit www.warchild.org.au For the full article go to shesaid.com and get the email newsletter from 17th April 2007
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Fair Trade Easter Eggs
The issue before last in Action Change I mentioned that fair traded easter eggs are now available in Australia, and now I've found some more.
They are available in Oxfam shops and come in little easter egg bags $8.50 or single big ones $7.50. They definitely have them in the Centrepoint shop because I went there today and saw them!
Otherwise you can get the Scarborough Fair ones through Coles, Woolies and some organic/health food stores.
Adios!
They are available in Oxfam shops and come in little easter egg bags $8.50 or single big ones $7.50. They definitely have them in the Centrepoint shop because I went there today and saw them!
Otherwise you can get the Scarborough Fair ones through Coles, Woolies and some organic/health food stores.
Adios!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Dealing With Impatience
You can find freedom from anxiety over when things will come, by discovering the freedom in nature.
When you can see that there is unlimited time to achieve your goals, suddenly you can give yourself some slack, sit back and enjoy life and where you are at right now. It really takes the pressure off HAVING to do anything. And having to do something is a sure sign your not going in the right direction.
You see impatience tends to block inspiration and realisation because it interrupts the natural flow of events as they are best to happen. Impatience is misleading because it tells you that you are ready for something when you may not be.
If you can look at what is in your life right now and see the perfection of that, see it from another angle or perspective, over time you’ll also see that each event unfolds perfectly, in the perfect time, for you to get where it is you want to go. And then life is a pleasant walk through the fields - as Stuart Wilde said - rather than a mad dash through the traffic!
When you can see that there is unlimited time to achieve your goals, suddenly you can give yourself some slack, sit back and enjoy life and where you are at right now. It really takes the pressure off HAVING to do anything. And having to do something is a sure sign your not going in the right direction.
You see impatience tends to block inspiration and realisation because it interrupts the natural flow of events as they are best to happen. Impatience is misleading because it tells you that you are ready for something when you may not be.
If you can look at what is in your life right now and see the perfection of that, see it from another angle or perspective, over time you’ll also see that each event unfolds perfectly, in the perfect time, for you to get where it is you want to go. And then life is a pleasant walk through the fields - as Stuart Wilde said - rather than a mad dash through the traffic!
Monday, March 26, 2007
How to Make Your Business Greener
GREEN BUSINESS
1. Use recycled paper; email instead of using paper for communications/advertising/your newsletter; install energy efficient light globes; keep files on CD rather than printing out files of paper; use plant based inks; recycle ink cartridges; Get a business green audit. Move into an enfren business building.
2. Support green organisations by putting their details on the bottom of all your emails
3. Join a green business network
4. Donate a portion of your profits to green projects
5. Put green links on your website
6. Become a carbon neutral business. Follow the Carbon Diet for your business.
7. Hold minimum impact events
ETHICAL BUSINESS
8. Invest your money in green and ethical profiles; provide ethical super for employees
9. Know where your products come from, are made, who makes them etc, and if there is any link in that chain that leads to slave labour, child labour, developing world debt etc, and do something about it! There are many ways to get your products made and out there without resorting to unethical behaviour. If you need a place to start, go to Oxfam
PEACEFUL BUSINESS
10. Do business differently: link into spiritual business networks and people who are running ethical businesses. Check out employee contracts in countries such as Scandina, who’s people are the happiest in the world. Creating peace in the world by starting it yourself (within yourself first, then at home, then in business) Take up a meditation practice, take time to walk in nature, rest and play as much as you work.
For more information and links see the full article in Volume 2 Issue 7 of the Action Change Newsletter. Go to www.actionchange.com and subscribe to the fortnightly e-zine.
1. Use recycled paper; email instead of using paper for communications/advertising/your newsletter; install energy efficient light globes; keep files on CD rather than printing out files of paper; use plant based inks; recycle ink cartridges; Get a business green audit. Move into an enfren business building.
2. Support green organisations by putting their details on the bottom of all your emails
3. Join a green business network
4. Donate a portion of your profits to green projects
5. Put green links on your website
6. Become a carbon neutral business. Follow the Carbon Diet for your business.
7. Hold minimum impact events
ETHICAL BUSINESS
8. Invest your money in green and ethical profiles; provide ethical super for employees
9. Know where your products come from, are made, who makes them etc, and if there is any link in that chain that leads to slave labour, child labour, developing world debt etc, and do something about it! There are many ways to get your products made and out there without resorting to unethical behaviour. If you need a place to start, go to Oxfam
PEACEFUL BUSINESS
10. Do business differently: link into spiritual business networks and people who are running ethical businesses. Check out employee contracts in countries such as Scandina, who’s people are the happiest in the world. Creating peace in the world by starting it yourself (within yourself first, then at home, then in business) Take up a meditation practice, take time to walk in nature, rest and play as much as you work.
For more information and links see the full article in Volume 2 Issue 7 of the Action Change Newsletter. Go to www.actionchange.com and subscribe to the fortnightly e-zine.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
International Women’s Day
The human race can never advance until women take their place beside men in leadership. The world is made up of both men and women, so the world will always be unbalanced until the other half of the population is of equal right. Saying that, women do not work in the same power structures as men. We meet in homes, in the community and make decisions directly, that directly affect our lives. So trying to fit women into a male leadership structure will never work.
Women continue to rule the world from our homes, our communities and our organisations. It's just a shame that the male structure is seen as being the only one of validity, and that men continue to be resentful of this power that comes so naturally and without force in women. When men are able to lay their weapons and their egos down, women will again take their rightful place in history.
Men have nothing to fear from female power. We are mostly peaceful and loving souls, with the family and each other as our primary motivators. I think men may be afraid of female power because they only see themselves in others. But women have shown generation after generation that their love of humanity, and indeed their humanity, always prevails.
Women continue to rule the world from our homes, our communities and our organisations. It's just a shame that the male structure is seen as being the only one of validity, and that men continue to be resentful of this power that comes so naturally and without force in women. When men are able to lay their weapons and their egos down, women will again take their rightful place in history.
Men have nothing to fear from female power. We are mostly peaceful and loving souls, with the family and each other as our primary motivators. I think men may be afraid of female power because they only see themselves in others. But women have shown generation after generation that their love of humanity, and indeed their humanity, always prevails.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Giving up the Addiction to Worry via Poodle Sitting
I’ve been poodle and house minding for a friend in the Blue Mountains this past week, and being with dogs always reminds me how much I worry and wonder and stress about every day things.
The poodles sleep, and when they are not sleeping they play, and when they are not playing or sleeping they eat. That’s what they do. And dog is god backwards. Maybe that means that being dog-like is very ungodly, or does it mean that being dog-like is very god-like? I mean I’ve heard that a simple life is a good life, that being in the moment is grand, and that doing what you love is an excellent way to live, and it seems the dogs have it. My mind, however, has other ideas….
The dogs though certainly don’t seem to be worried whether they are following the right path in life, or stressed that the weekend is nearly over, or feeling guilty for watching the midday movie. Nor do they balk at scratching the treats cupboard until they get one, or seem to care about a walk tomorrow.
Dogs are like kids I suppose, and kids are supposed to be the closest to God. So while I sit here writing and wondering, pondering on whether acting like a dog is a good thing, or whether I’m using it as an excuse to be lazy, or whether if I did live a dog’s life (common, I know you’ve wanted it too) whether I will indeed go to hell, the poodles meanwhile have gone out into the sunny garden I can see out the window, and are chasing butterflies and each other and yapping in pure exhilaration.
And if I shut off the nagging hag in my mind, and put my hand on my heart, it’s them I want to join. And apparently my heart is my spirit, which is the part of me that is God, so by Jove, I think the dogs have it. My heart is my god and my head is the devil. If I just keep chanting this over and over to myself I know I’ll be all right. I’m with the gods…er…dogs!
The poodles sleep, and when they are not sleeping they play, and when they are not playing or sleeping they eat. That’s what they do. And dog is god backwards. Maybe that means that being dog-like is very ungodly, or does it mean that being dog-like is very god-like? I mean I’ve heard that a simple life is a good life, that being in the moment is grand, and that doing what you love is an excellent way to live, and it seems the dogs have it. My mind, however, has other ideas….
The dogs though certainly don’t seem to be worried whether they are following the right path in life, or stressed that the weekend is nearly over, or feeling guilty for watching the midday movie. Nor do they balk at scratching the treats cupboard until they get one, or seem to care about a walk tomorrow.
Dogs are like kids I suppose, and kids are supposed to be the closest to God. So while I sit here writing and wondering, pondering on whether acting like a dog is a good thing, or whether I’m using it as an excuse to be lazy, or whether if I did live a dog’s life (common, I know you’ve wanted it too) whether I will indeed go to hell, the poodles meanwhile have gone out into the sunny garden I can see out the window, and are chasing butterflies and each other and yapping in pure exhilaration.
And if I shut off the nagging hag in my mind, and put my hand on my heart, it’s them I want to join. And apparently my heart is my spirit, which is the part of me that is God, so by Jove, I think the dogs have it. My heart is my god and my head is the devil. If I just keep chanting this over and over to myself I know I’ll be all right. I’m with the gods…er…dogs!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Alliance for New Humanity
Deepak Chopra is founding member of the Alliance for New Humanity, an international social organisation based on the premise that as everything is connected, our well-being is the well-being of everyone. Singer Ricky Martin is also a founding member, and the organisation has a board of directors, patrons and advisors.
Their Mission: To connect people who, through personal and social transformation, are committed to creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable world, reflecting the unity of humanity.
‘News for a New Humanity’ is their newsletter and you can subscribe to it free from the site. www.anhglobal.org
“Deepak Chopra has committed to reach the first million people so that we can take that evolutionary leap. Let us harness our resources and be part of that first million to reach the critical mass - and we too then can re-write the story for a new humanity. Let Creativity and Caring be our mantra.”
Their Mission: To connect people who, through personal and social transformation, are committed to creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable world, reflecting the unity of humanity.
‘News for a New Humanity’ is their newsletter and you can subscribe to it free from the site. www.anhglobal.org
“Deepak Chopra has committed to reach the first million people so that we can take that evolutionary leap. Let us harness our resources and be part of that first million to reach the critical mass - and we too then can re-write the story for a new humanity. Let Creativity and Caring be our mantra.”
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
The Thing is Not to Think Much, but to Love Much
The main thing is not to think much, but to love much - Mother Theresa
So when you start to worry, just love
When you start to fear, just love
When you start to doubt, just love
When you start to think, just love
So when you start to worry, just love
When you start to fear, just love
When you start to doubt, just love
When you start to think, just love
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
How to Know Your Heart
I've been doing this execise for a while now, and it seems to work for me. I'm an Aries so I'm always in my head rationalising and thinking through problems and questions I have. So I have to actually physically tune into my heart to find out what's really going on and what I'm really feeling about a situation.
So I sit in a quiet place, put my hand on my heart, close my eyes and meditate for a minute on my heart beat. This seems to take me out of my head, and if I do this with a question in mind, once I'm tuned into my heart beat, I receive an answer.
This is also a good technique generally to use in the morning, before I get out of bed. I create my day this way, as I know it's more in tune with where my soul is going, so there's no pulling the other way: it's all plain sailing.
So I sit in a quiet place, put my hand on my heart, close my eyes and meditate for a minute on my heart beat. This seems to take me out of my head, and if I do this with a question in mind, once I'm tuned into my heart beat, I receive an answer.
This is also a good technique generally to use in the morning, before I get out of bed. I create my day this way, as I know it's more in tune with where my soul is going, so there's no pulling the other way: it's all plain sailing.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Affirmation of Love
“ I am love, I give love, I accept love, I believe in love, I extend love, I am always becoming love.”
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
Poem: Summer
Summer
wakes and stretches languidly
in sleeping postures stays
No sense of time
or any place to go
The endlessness
of long hot days
permeates my skin
I open every pore
and offer myself
to the thickly scented air
© Christine Butler 2007
wakes and stretches languidly
in sleeping postures stays
No sense of time
or any place to go
The endlessness
of long hot days
permeates my skin
I open every pore
and offer myself
to the thickly scented air
© Christine Butler 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Saying that Violence is just who we are...
Saying that violence is just who we are, that humans are made that way, that that’s all there is and there’s nothing we can do about it, is like saying that the shade of a tree is all there is to the tree. Yet there is a sunny side too, and all you have to do is step into it. – Christine Butler
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Feeling love and happiness..
"Feeling love and happiness, and feeling peace within me, to my mind is the highest achievement I can attain as a human being on a day-to-day basis. Everything else is just a distraction." Christine Butler
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Poem
How do I think of you?
I wonder what you would look like with desire in your eyes
Serious
Intense
Wanting me
Giving me one single kiss on the side of my neck
that sends ripples through me and brings tears to my eyes
You look from eye to eye quickly
looking for my response
Then a small smile traces your lips
and you kiss me
My upper lip
then my lower
Aand lick my upper with your tongue
You sigh and look into my eyes again
not smiling this time
You say
I love you
I wonder what you would look like with desire in your eyes
Serious
Intense
Wanting me
Giving me one single kiss on the side of my neck
that sends ripples through me and brings tears to my eyes
You look from eye to eye quickly
looking for my response
Then a small smile traces your lips
and you kiss me
My upper lip
then my lower
Aand lick my upper with your tongue
You sigh and look into my eyes again
not smiling this time
You say
I love you
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Gaia Theory of a Living Single Organism Earth
The scientist James Lovelock with philosopher Dian Hitchcock came up with the theory of Gaia in the 1970’s while looking at the moon, and noticing how dead it was compared to the earth, which seemed teeming with life. They experimented further and found that the air was not just another aspect of the earth’s surrounds, but actually a part of it, like fur is to a cat. They concluded that if the air was alive and part of the earth, then the earth too must be alive and active. He “began to wonder if it could be that the air is not just an environment for life but it is also a part of life itself. “
The Gaian idea is that life forms actually control and manipulate their planet to suit themselves and to make it more conducive to the evolution of further organisms. This has upset many scientists, who find the theory too all-encompassing to grasp. Another debate by traditional scientists has been against the idea that cooperation between organisms can arise, where science tends to believe that organisms act out of selfishness and survival. No wonder the planet is in trouble! An example of this is that Lovelock believes sulphur returns from the sea to the land through marine algae. The algae help life by circulating sulphur throughout the biosphere so their proliferation of this algae continued as it ensured life for all.
Another phenomenon that proves we live on an intelligent planet is our stable temperature, which remains in the exact range suitable for life, no matter what has happened in the billions of years there’s been life on earth.
The Gaia theory gives us hope for the continuing survival of the planet despite the amount of pollution we are putting into ‘the organism’ (i.e. land, air, sky and inhabitants). It’s not an excuse to run amuck, but the earth’s system, if intelligent as the Gaia-ists would have us believe, will also find a way to keep everything stable and everything living, and even to dispel the pollution. Of course, that may mean that the earth system heats up the atmosphere, leading to increased temperatures, which ignites people’s tempers so the human race annihilates itself and that’s the earth’s solution to the problem! The scary thing about the Gaia hypothesis is that humans are not necessarily important in the overall scheme of things, and that the species that act to enhance the health of Gaia are the ones that prosper and matter in the long run.
Lovelock believes that there are regions on earth that are important to Gaia’s survival, and these areas may be the key to sustainability. Continental shelves may be vital in the regulation of the oxygen-carbon cycle. “ It is through the burial of carbon in the anaerobic muds of the sea bed that a net increment of oxygen in the atmosphere is ensured.” Lovelock also believes that wetlands and the tropical rainforests and scrub lands between latitudes 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south are core regions of Gaia. Lovelock urges that we watch carefully the tropics and the seas close to the continental shelves. “ Here (humans) may sap the vitality of Gaia, by reducing productivity and by deleting key species in her life-support system; and (we) may then exacerbate the situation by releasing into the air or the sea abnormal quantities of compounds which are potentially dangerous on a global scale.”
"Organisms do not just adapt to a dead world determined by physics and chemistry alone. They live in a world that is the breath and bones of their ancestors and that they are now sustaining." - James Lovelock.
The Gaian idea is that life forms actually control and manipulate their planet to suit themselves and to make it more conducive to the evolution of further organisms. This has upset many scientists, who find the theory too all-encompassing to grasp. Another debate by traditional scientists has been against the idea that cooperation between organisms can arise, where science tends to believe that organisms act out of selfishness and survival. No wonder the planet is in trouble! An example of this is that Lovelock believes sulphur returns from the sea to the land through marine algae. The algae help life by circulating sulphur throughout the biosphere so their proliferation of this algae continued as it ensured life for all.
Another phenomenon that proves we live on an intelligent planet is our stable temperature, which remains in the exact range suitable for life, no matter what has happened in the billions of years there’s been life on earth.
The Gaia theory gives us hope for the continuing survival of the planet despite the amount of pollution we are putting into ‘the organism’ (i.e. land, air, sky and inhabitants). It’s not an excuse to run amuck, but the earth’s system, if intelligent as the Gaia-ists would have us believe, will also find a way to keep everything stable and everything living, and even to dispel the pollution. Of course, that may mean that the earth system heats up the atmosphere, leading to increased temperatures, which ignites people’s tempers so the human race annihilates itself and that’s the earth’s solution to the problem! The scary thing about the Gaia hypothesis is that humans are not necessarily important in the overall scheme of things, and that the species that act to enhance the health of Gaia are the ones that prosper and matter in the long run.
Lovelock believes that there are regions on earth that are important to Gaia’s survival, and these areas may be the key to sustainability. Continental shelves may be vital in the regulation of the oxygen-carbon cycle. “ It is through the burial of carbon in the anaerobic muds of the sea bed that a net increment of oxygen in the atmosphere is ensured.” Lovelock also believes that wetlands and the tropical rainforests and scrub lands between latitudes 45 degrees north and 45 degrees south are core regions of Gaia. Lovelock urges that we watch carefully the tropics and the seas close to the continental shelves. “ Here (humans) may sap the vitality of Gaia, by reducing productivity and by deleting key species in her life-support system; and (we) may then exacerbate the situation by releasing into the air or the sea abnormal quantities of compounds which are potentially dangerous on a global scale.”
"Organisms do not just adapt to a dead world determined by physics and chemistry alone. They live in a world that is the breath and bones of their ancestors and that they are now sustaining." - James Lovelock.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Why it is Manly to Cry
It IS manly to cry, and you deny yourself your manhood when you hold back your emotions.
You have chosen to be human and humaness is an emotional state. It’s what sets us apart from other planes of existence where there is no physicality and no emotion and no sense of time. Emotion is therefore one of the three important distinctions of the human being and therefore how we evolve.
If as a man you decide to deny your emotion self, you’re also denying yourself the opportunity to evolve as a human being. And not only yourself, but you also deny that to the men around you and your male children, who see from you what it is to be a man, and follow your lead.
Don’t let generation after generation of men cease to evolve. Men die more of heart attacks then women because they suppress their emotions. Suppressing emotions is the core cause of addiction. Do yourself a favour and join the human race! We need you! And we need men to evolve at the same rate as women, so that we move into the world that we dream of together, as a unified force.
You have chosen to be human and humaness is an emotional state. It’s what sets us apart from other planes of existence where there is no physicality and no emotion and no sense of time. Emotion is therefore one of the three important distinctions of the human being and therefore how we evolve.
If as a man you decide to deny your emotion self, you’re also denying yourself the opportunity to evolve as a human being. And not only yourself, but you also deny that to the men around you and your male children, who see from you what it is to be a man, and follow your lead.
Don’t let generation after generation of men cease to evolve. Men die more of heart attacks then women because they suppress their emotions. Suppressing emotions is the core cause of addiction. Do yourself a favour and join the human race! We need you! And we need men to evolve at the same rate as women, so that we move into the world that we dream of together, as a unified force.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Go with the Flow of Abundance
The natural state of the Universe is abundance. The Universe naturally moves towards abundance and can’t help but support us in our own moves towards it. It knows nothing else. That’s why trees grow upwards towards the sun, why flowers bloom from tiny buds into flowers. Everything grows. To do anything else is to struggle against the natural flow. It’s the same with business, with making money. Growth is the secret to abundance. Go with the flow of what you’ve already got and you’ll begin to grow outwards towards expansion and more. If you contract, if you say no to natural growth, you are actually stemming the tide of abundance that would otherwise naturally flow.
Monday, January 22, 2007
FOODS FOR THOUGHTS - Brain Foods for Exam Time
During periods of peak mental performance, the brain uses more nutrients than usual to sustain its proper functioning. The carbohydrates in food and oxygen in the air fuel the brain. Exams, study, long hours of concentration and focused work periods can all take their toll on our brain’s ability to give its best. Sometimes we need more specific nutrients to nourish and stimulate the brain’s activity. Studies have long suggested the link between nutrition and scholastic performance. Following is a run down of foods that will keep your brain at full steam.
Foods for General Brain Function:
*The human brain weighs 1.5 kg, that's about the same as a hefty school text.
*Lecithin comprises 28% of brain matter in a mentally healthy person. During times of stress this lecithin is used up rapidly by the brain and. If the diet contains mainly saturated fats, and not many natural foods, a better diet or supplements may be needed during exam time. Lecithin is produced by the liver and if you eat a regular supply of fresh fruit and vegies whole grains, legumes and raw nuts you should be able to produce enough lecithin for your brain’s needs. Soybeans and corn are main sources of lecithin supplements. You can also buy it in granules to sprinkle over foods (most economical) or in capsule form.
*Glucose - them main food for brain function is converted from complex carbohydrates. Make sure you are getting enough whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables before and during peak concentration times. Even quick meals such as fruit salad or veggie sticks with dip will be better than snacking on junk foods.
*Niacin (B3) nourishes the brain. Good food sources are yeast extract, brewer’s yeast, nuts, dried fruits and whole meal bread, brown rice and pulses.
* Orotoc Acid (B13) is required for the normal functioning of the brain and also the nervous system. Found in abundance in root vegetables
* Some good foods for general brain function are Bananas, currants, dates, figs, grapes, olives, plums, asparagus, radish, tomatoes, avocado, garlic, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, parsley, watercress, lemons, apricots, sunshine.
Foods for Concentration:
*Phosphorous. Necessary for brain strength, contains lecithin, and assists creative ability in writing essays etc Activates most of the B vitamins and is good for energy distribution to the brain and body. Vitamin D helps balance phosphorous levels i.e. sunlight. Foods include pumpkin seeds, wheatgerm, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, sesame seeds and almonds. Phosphorous also gives you energy to get out and exercise in between studying.
*Vit T can help if your concentration and memory are poor. Sesame seeds and tahini.
Foods for Memory Stimulation:
*Manganese is a memory builder. It takes oxygen to the brain and helps with mental fatigue. Foods include chestnuts, brazil nuts, hazel nuts and almonds, as well as kidney beans, pineapple, grapes, beetroot and parsley.
*Magnesium also builds memory by nourishing the brain and spinal cord. It can also steady your nerves. Some good food sources are green vegetables, almonds, cashews and soybeans.
* Thiamine (or B1) deficiencies are known to cause impairment of the memory, a lack of concentration and inability to learn. Food sources are brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, raw nuts, soya flour, wholemeal bread. Most fresh vegetables contain good amounts of thiamine.
*Pantothenic acid (B5) Improves poor memory. Good supplies are in yeast extract, nuts and seeds, wheatgerm, green leafy vegies and root vegies.
*General foods for memory are currants, dates, olives, figs, lettuce, berries, potatoes, apricots, parsley, avocado, carrots, asparagus, spinach, apples, pineapple, raisons, beetroot, bananas, peaches and pears.
Foods for Mental Stress and Worry:
* B complex especially pantothenic (B5) B vitamins best taken together over long periods to help with absorption. B5 is not only a memory builder but it is also an anti stress vitamin. B5 is used in the body for the production of energy and healthy nervous system. See above for foods.
* C – You can take 10 times the minimum daily requirements during stressful periods as the body will use more. Vitamin C Produces anti stress hormones. It converts amino acids in foods into compounds needed for brain and nerve functioning. cherry juice, blackcurrants, guavas, parsley, kale, broccoli, green peppers, tomato puree,
* If stress is causing insomnia, lettuce and vitamin C can help, as can chamomile tea or lemon balm tea. Bath with lavender before bed, and adequate exercise is helpful
* Foods for stress: grapes, millet, wheatgerm, Brewer's yeast, oats, buckwheat, molasses, melons papaya, lettuce, watercress, sunshine, cherries, bananas, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, mustard greens
Foods for Nervousness:
* Vit E assists the functioning of the entire nervous system: the central nervous system is the brain and spinal chord. The sympathetic nervous system is the brain and nerves raw oils such as wheatgerm, soyabean, corn, safflower and sunflower oils (pour on salads or raw rather than cooking with as heat kills nutrients. If using with cooking, add a little oil with water in the pan to reduce heat of the oil)
* Nervous system: B complex, especially B1, B2 and B3 which all build the nervous system. These three vitamins are inhibited by stress and anxiety so it’s always good to get an abundant supply during times of nervousness. Good sources of all three are found in rice bran, wheatgerm and soyabeans.
* A good night sleep also helps the nervous system, as it has the opportunity to repair and give nutrients to nerves
* If depression is present, B6 can help, and it is wise to take supplements of this vitamin, including other B vitamins
* Before an exam, Ginger tea can be used to calm nausea from nerves, and chamomile tea to calm nerves generally
* Mental disturbances are often related to deficiencies in thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, pyridoxine, folic acid, B12. If the conditions persist, see a GP for analysis.
* General foods for nervous tension are cauliflower, celery, garlic and passionfruit
Foods and Exercises for Eyes:
*Vit AiIs good for reading in dim light, also good as an immune fighter against infections and illness during the stressful periods. Butter, cheeses, fish oils contain vitamin A. Carotene (pro-vitamin A) is found in foods such as leafy green and yellow and orange vegetables.
* Flourine is a trace mineral, which maintains the functions of the iris. Foods include asparagus, oats, garlic and cabbage.
* Exercise: Look up from the page every 15 mins at something in the distance to exercise the eye muscles
Teas: Coping -licorice and ginseng; anxiety-passionflower and vervain; Headaches - rosemary or wood betony.
Juices: Brain Fodder Juice- apple, grapes, lemon, beetroot and parsley.
Other useful information: 1. Rosemary oil burning during study helps your brain remember information. Scent can also unlock memory, so if you wear the same scent during the exam as you wore while studying for it, you will tend to perform better than those who don’t. Peppermint oil is also useful during exam time to energise and stimulate the mind. Use both in a bath for stress and headaches 2. Listening to Mozart for 10 minutes can improve your IQ by 9 points. 3. Take a good multivitamin everyday leading up to and during exam time 4. Exercise every day to keep oxygen flowing to the brain 5. 30 mls of Wheatgrass juice taken daily will increase brain power generally 7. sleep and relaxation is needed for the brain to rejuvenate 8. Take Rescue remedy if nervous before exam
Foods for General Brain Function:
*The human brain weighs 1.5 kg, that's about the same as a hefty school text.
*Lecithin comprises 28% of brain matter in a mentally healthy person. During times of stress this lecithin is used up rapidly by the brain and. If the diet contains mainly saturated fats, and not many natural foods, a better diet or supplements may be needed during exam time. Lecithin is produced by the liver and if you eat a regular supply of fresh fruit and vegies whole grains, legumes and raw nuts you should be able to produce enough lecithin for your brain’s needs. Soybeans and corn are main sources of lecithin supplements. You can also buy it in granules to sprinkle over foods (most economical) or in capsule form.
*Glucose - them main food for brain function is converted from complex carbohydrates. Make sure you are getting enough whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables before and during peak concentration times. Even quick meals such as fruit salad or veggie sticks with dip will be better than snacking on junk foods.
*Niacin (B3) nourishes the brain. Good food sources are yeast extract, brewer’s yeast, nuts, dried fruits and whole meal bread, brown rice and pulses.
* Orotoc Acid (B13) is required for the normal functioning of the brain and also the nervous system. Found in abundance in root vegetables
* Some good foods for general brain function are Bananas, currants, dates, figs, grapes, olives, plums, asparagus, radish, tomatoes, avocado, garlic, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, lettuce, parsley, watercress, lemons, apricots, sunshine.
Foods for Concentration:
*Phosphorous. Necessary for brain strength, contains lecithin, and assists creative ability in writing essays etc Activates most of the B vitamins and is good for energy distribution to the brain and body. Vitamin D helps balance phosphorous levels i.e. sunlight. Foods include pumpkin seeds, wheatgerm, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, sesame seeds and almonds. Phosphorous also gives you energy to get out and exercise in between studying.
*Vit T can help if your concentration and memory are poor. Sesame seeds and tahini.
Foods for Memory Stimulation:
*Manganese is a memory builder. It takes oxygen to the brain and helps with mental fatigue. Foods include chestnuts, brazil nuts, hazel nuts and almonds, as well as kidney beans, pineapple, grapes, beetroot and parsley.
*Magnesium also builds memory by nourishing the brain and spinal cord. It can also steady your nerves. Some good food sources are green vegetables, almonds, cashews and soybeans.
* Thiamine (or B1) deficiencies are known to cause impairment of the memory, a lack of concentration and inability to learn. Food sources are brewer’s yeast, yeast extract, raw nuts, soya flour, wholemeal bread. Most fresh vegetables contain good amounts of thiamine.
*Pantothenic acid (B5) Improves poor memory. Good supplies are in yeast extract, nuts and seeds, wheatgerm, green leafy vegies and root vegies.
*General foods for memory are currants, dates, olives, figs, lettuce, berries, potatoes, apricots, parsley, avocado, carrots, asparagus, spinach, apples, pineapple, raisons, beetroot, bananas, peaches and pears.
Foods for Mental Stress and Worry:
* B complex especially pantothenic (B5) B vitamins best taken together over long periods to help with absorption. B5 is not only a memory builder but it is also an anti stress vitamin. B5 is used in the body for the production of energy and healthy nervous system. See above for foods.
* C – You can take 10 times the minimum daily requirements during stressful periods as the body will use more. Vitamin C Produces anti stress hormones. It converts amino acids in foods into compounds needed for brain and nerve functioning. cherry juice, blackcurrants, guavas, parsley, kale, broccoli, green peppers, tomato puree,
* If stress is causing insomnia, lettuce and vitamin C can help, as can chamomile tea or lemon balm tea. Bath with lavender before bed, and adequate exercise is helpful
* Foods for stress: grapes, millet, wheatgerm, Brewer's yeast, oats, buckwheat, molasses, melons papaya, lettuce, watercress, sunshine, cherries, bananas, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, mustard greens
Foods for Nervousness:
* Vit E assists the functioning of the entire nervous system: the central nervous system is the brain and spinal chord. The sympathetic nervous system is the brain and nerves raw oils such as wheatgerm, soyabean, corn, safflower and sunflower oils (pour on salads or raw rather than cooking with as heat kills nutrients. If using with cooking, add a little oil with water in the pan to reduce heat of the oil)
* Nervous system: B complex, especially B1, B2 and B3 which all build the nervous system. These three vitamins are inhibited by stress and anxiety so it’s always good to get an abundant supply during times of nervousness. Good sources of all three are found in rice bran, wheatgerm and soyabeans.
* A good night sleep also helps the nervous system, as it has the opportunity to repair and give nutrients to nerves
* If depression is present, B6 can help, and it is wise to take supplements of this vitamin, including other B vitamins
* Before an exam, Ginger tea can be used to calm nausea from nerves, and chamomile tea to calm nerves generally
* Mental disturbances are often related to deficiencies in thiamine, riboflavin, nicotinamide, pyridoxine, folic acid, B12. If the conditions persist, see a GP for analysis.
* General foods for nervous tension are cauliflower, celery, garlic and passionfruit
Foods and Exercises for Eyes:
*Vit AiIs good for reading in dim light, also good as an immune fighter against infections and illness during the stressful periods. Butter, cheeses, fish oils contain vitamin A. Carotene (pro-vitamin A) is found in foods such as leafy green and yellow and orange vegetables.
* Flourine is a trace mineral, which maintains the functions of the iris. Foods include asparagus, oats, garlic and cabbage.
* Exercise: Look up from the page every 15 mins at something in the distance to exercise the eye muscles
Teas: Coping -licorice and ginseng; anxiety-passionflower and vervain; Headaches - rosemary or wood betony.
Juices: Brain Fodder Juice- apple, grapes, lemon, beetroot and parsley.
Other useful information: 1. Rosemary oil burning during study helps your brain remember information. Scent can also unlock memory, so if you wear the same scent during the exam as you wore while studying for it, you will tend to perform better than those who don’t. Peppermint oil is also useful during exam time to energise and stimulate the mind. Use both in a bath for stress and headaches 2. Listening to Mozart for 10 minutes can improve your IQ by 9 points. 3. Take a good multivitamin everyday leading up to and during exam time 4. Exercise every day to keep oxygen flowing to the brain 5. 30 mls of Wheatgrass juice taken daily will increase brain power generally 7. sleep and relaxation is needed for the brain to rejuvenate 8. Take Rescue remedy if nervous before exam
Friday, January 19, 2007
The Birth Of Ideas
You feel in pain. You feel like the world is about to end for you. Nothing makes sense and you live like in a nightmare wondering how you got to be this way, You question yourself and your sanity and think a thousand ways how you got yourself into this mess in the first place. And then one moment when you can take no more, an inspiration glides into your mind, pours through your burning head like cold, wet, sweet ice cream. And the relief floods through you in a moment and all you feel is release, and joy and gladness, and you can’t even remember why you were feeling so down. What was THAT about? You write about it, talk about it, expand on all it’s glories and manifestations, and life generally takes on a glow all of it’s own. You even love yourself for having such genius. You think of nothing else, and every time your mind rests on your idea, your whole body goes back to that ecstasy of its birth. And then one day you wake up and the energy of that idea has dissipated. It’s hard to bring back the feelings you had and over the next couple of days it fades from memory, and you ask yourself again, well what was THAT about? You wander around trying to make sense of it all: you get a little depressed and start wondering what this stupid life is about anyway. What is the point to it all? You walk around frustrated and bored and wonder if you’d be better off just taking some pills and ending it all: the fruitlessness of it. Then in one single glorious moment, a new idea is born, and the world is once again, a glorious paradise of possibilities.
No wonder they call it ‘the birth of ideas’.
No wonder they call it ‘the birth of ideas’.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
The Only Moment
This is the only moment I have, and I won't spend it, these precious moments, on feeling anything less than fantastic. The most part of being free for me, is to feel happy. Feeling burdened and miserable is not freedom; it’s entrapment. If I feel free and happy all today, and as a result my world crashes down tomorrow, so be it. And tomorrow can take care of itself anyway: it’s not my business and I don’t even know tomorrow: it’s not part of me yet. But these moments, right now, are very intimate with me. They are mine and mine alone to express myself in, and I choose to be happy and free in them. I choose to be happy and free in this moment, because frankly, it’s the only moment I have. I’m not even sure that I have a next moment, so I may as well just live it up in this one. So today, so in this moment, and moment by moment, I’m just going to have the best time, and let any other moments do what they will.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
The Principles of my Theory on Changing the World
1. Everyone does their passion as their work. We shall call it plorking, a mixture of play and work.
2. Everyone earns the same amount of money, no matter what plork they do. All left over monies are used for infrastructure and fun stuff!
There would be no need anymore for taxes, as the employer would just give extra money back to the central money distributor, so all those boring tax jobs, so all the accountants in the world could join the charity workers in Tahiti.
3. Education is centred on learning to love, rather than learning to fear.
From school age, we are taught about the emotions and their effect on the body would be one of the underpinning subjects, especially to two basic ones love and fear, and to learn how to recognise when we have come out of the core one, love.
Education would centre on human qualities and emotions rather than on facts and figures, so that children and the adults they become have the ability to self-observe and make decisions based on love, not fear.
Education based not on what, where, when, and who (facts and figures) but on how and why (how to budget, how to love yourself, how to have a great relationship) and why (Why do wars happen? How could we stop them happening again? Why do relationships break down? How could we do them better?) This means teaching is based on asking questions, not giving answers, and students learn to think for themselves and make truly, educated decisions.
Education is based on qualities, not quantities.
4. The Law of Attraction is common knowledge
2. Everyone earns the same amount of money, no matter what plork they do. All left over monies are used for infrastructure and fun stuff!
There would be no need anymore for taxes, as the employer would just give extra money back to the central money distributor, so all those boring tax jobs, so all the accountants in the world could join the charity workers in Tahiti.
3. Education is centred on learning to love, rather than learning to fear.
From school age, we are taught about the emotions and their effect on the body would be one of the underpinning subjects, especially to two basic ones love and fear, and to learn how to recognise when we have come out of the core one, love.
Education would centre on human qualities and emotions rather than on facts and figures, so that children and the adults they become have the ability to self-observe and make decisions based on love, not fear.
Education based not on what, where, when, and who (facts and figures) but on how and why (how to budget, how to love yourself, how to have a great relationship) and why (Why do wars happen? How could we stop them happening again? Why do relationships break down? How could we do them better?) This means teaching is based on asking questions, not giving answers, and students learn to think for themselves and make truly, educated decisions.
Education is based on qualities, not quantities.
4. The Law of Attraction is common knowledge
Friday, January 12, 2007
“Plan life like you are going to live forever: Live life like it’s your last day on earth.”
I plan to do in life everything that has ever made me happy, and leave space for whatever might make me happy that I haven’t thought of yet. I’ll need forever to do this I guess simply because I am an ever evolving being. But even if I’m not, even as just Christine Butler, I want a long time to experience, to savour, all that I’d ever want to do, in all the various ways it’s possible for me to do them. And it will take longer because it is not just about the action: it’s about the contemplation, the dreams put out in hope, the gradual moving towards the goal, the shifting and changing of preferences, the fun, the sleep, the quickening of the experience, and then to the quiet contemplation of what was. See, it could well take forever.
If this was the last day on earth for me, then I would be happy to stay put and meditate on love, to read about people’s joys, to think on peace and hope in the world. Because feeling love and happiness, and feeling peace within me, to my mind is the highest achievement I can attain as a human being on a day-to-day basis. Everything else is just a distraction.
I plan to do in life everything that has ever made me happy, and leave space for whatever might make me happy that I haven’t thought of yet. I’ll need forever to do this I guess simply because I am an ever evolving being. But even if I’m not, even as just Christine Butler, I want a long time to experience, to savour, all that I’d ever want to do, in all the various ways it’s possible for me to do them. And it will take longer because it is not just about the action: it’s about the contemplation, the dreams put out in hope, the gradual moving towards the goal, the shifting and changing of preferences, the fun, the sleep, the quickening of the experience, and then to the quiet contemplation of what was. See, it could well take forever.
If this was the last day on earth for me, then I would be happy to stay put and meditate on love, to read about people’s joys, to think on peace and hope in the world. Because feeling love and happiness, and feeling peace within me, to my mind is the highest achievement I can attain as a human being on a day-to-day basis. Everything else is just a distraction.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
WHY ARE THERE JOBS THAT NOBODY WANTS?
Jobs that no one wants are a signal that it shouldn’t be a job in the first place, or that we need to change the way the job is done. What’s a job that no one wants to do? Take for instance garbage collection. Ok, so if everyone was more personally responsible for the rubbish they create, the garbage system would be a lot easier to operate, we wouldn’t not like the job anymore because it wouldn’t be smelly and gross, and we’d save the planet in the meantime.
There’s basically three types of garbage. One is organic matter, the next are things we can readily recycle, and the others are materials we can’t readily recycle. So one solution is to separate the three, which we’ve already started doing.
RECYCLABLES:
The thing is, at the moment, people don’t wash the recyclables as they should, or they put in containers with food on them (i.e. like pizza boxes.) If we all took responsibility and a little time, the recyclables wouldn’t be smelly and we could do things like have people who can reuse them and think they’re fun (like the ‘Reverse Garbage’ company, stage and theatre designers, kids and schools, aluminium can collectors etc) rummage through it and get first dibs. Then the rest can go off to be recycled; so we’d also be reusing stuff first, which is what we should be doing anyway.
Recycling should be the last resort. In fact people could do this first before they put out recycling i.e. take tins and toilet rolls insides to the local school. This would make the load of collectors a lot easier. In fact, the recyclables collectors could be people who love to do stuff with recycled matter – artists etc. They could be given a certain number of streets in their suburb, and they could collect stuff each week, go through it, and then take the rest to the recycling centre.
ORGANIC MATTER:
This is a pretty obvious one and I’m sure some countries do this already. Organic matter going into landfill is one of the catastrophes of our modern times. We could be taking it to local community gardens, composting it for our own gardens, or to the local school, church, whatever. And we can also compost and make it into all the fertiliser we’ll ever need. And we could make it on site in the community (the left overs from home/school etc) and divvy it back out as well. So you wouldn’t need to buy fertilizer from the garden centre in plastic bags. I can’t believe we don’t do this already. And of course, going back to out dear garbage collectors, the whole reason why garbage collection is not on everyone’s hot job list – the smell and sliminess- would be eliminated. Instead, our wonderful garbage collectors would be seen as local heroes, turning our recyclables and organic matter into useful and fun things for the whole community. They’re already now being called Waste Management Officers (or something like that) because of their new jobs with recycling (in Oz anyway). Let’s now take it a step or two further…
NON-RECYCLABLES:
I’ve left this ‘till last because really, people, non-recyclables should be called non-consumables. There should be no reason for us to have to buy anything, or wrapped in anything, that can not be reused or recycled. This is the bit of the equation called REFUSE. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The four R’s that can be now taught in schools. Reduce is for wussies. Refuse is the go. And anyway, if there is a bit left over that we don’t know what to do with, the artist guy down the road who comes and gets your recyclables, will probably have a use for it.
So we’ve got the local garden enthusiast’s club collecting your veggie peelings, the arty fartys and kids scooping the pool on your exciting bits of recyclables, and the occasional non-recyclable, so the good old refuse/waste management/ garbage collecting ‘garbos’, will be heading down the local suburb every week or so to take your nice recyclables to the recycling station. It should only take them a few hours max; they wouldn’t need to do it at 5am because it’s quick and easy; they wouldn’t need to deal with smell or slime, and they’d be the heroes of our town because they’re taking our stuff and making it into other… stuff. Now that’s a job worth loving.
So anytime we create jobs that people don’t’ love’, it’s just a cue to say we haven’t worked it out properly; haven’t quite used our noggins and gone through the finer details. What about other jobs that are on the `wouldn’t do it for quids’ list for most people? Drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, and sewerage workers…. actually they sort of have everything in common don’t they? They’re all smelly, dirty, and have a hell of a lot to do with human waste. Mmm, got any ideas?
There’s basically three types of garbage. One is organic matter, the next are things we can readily recycle, and the others are materials we can’t readily recycle. So one solution is to separate the three, which we’ve already started doing.
RECYCLABLES:
The thing is, at the moment, people don’t wash the recyclables as they should, or they put in containers with food on them (i.e. like pizza boxes.) If we all took responsibility and a little time, the recyclables wouldn’t be smelly and we could do things like have people who can reuse them and think they’re fun (like the ‘Reverse Garbage’ company, stage and theatre designers, kids and schools, aluminium can collectors etc) rummage through it and get first dibs. Then the rest can go off to be recycled; so we’d also be reusing stuff first, which is what we should be doing anyway.
Recycling should be the last resort. In fact people could do this first before they put out recycling i.e. take tins and toilet rolls insides to the local school. This would make the load of collectors a lot easier. In fact, the recyclables collectors could be people who love to do stuff with recycled matter – artists etc. They could be given a certain number of streets in their suburb, and they could collect stuff each week, go through it, and then take the rest to the recycling centre.
ORGANIC MATTER:
This is a pretty obvious one and I’m sure some countries do this already. Organic matter going into landfill is one of the catastrophes of our modern times. We could be taking it to local community gardens, composting it for our own gardens, or to the local school, church, whatever. And we can also compost and make it into all the fertiliser we’ll ever need. And we could make it on site in the community (the left overs from home/school etc) and divvy it back out as well. So you wouldn’t need to buy fertilizer from the garden centre in plastic bags. I can’t believe we don’t do this already. And of course, going back to out dear garbage collectors, the whole reason why garbage collection is not on everyone’s hot job list – the smell and sliminess- would be eliminated. Instead, our wonderful garbage collectors would be seen as local heroes, turning our recyclables and organic matter into useful and fun things for the whole community. They’re already now being called Waste Management Officers (or something like that) because of their new jobs with recycling (in Oz anyway). Let’s now take it a step or two further…
NON-RECYCLABLES:
I’ve left this ‘till last because really, people, non-recyclables should be called non-consumables. There should be no reason for us to have to buy anything, or wrapped in anything, that can not be reused or recycled. This is the bit of the equation called REFUSE. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: The four R’s that can be now taught in schools. Reduce is for wussies. Refuse is the go. And anyway, if there is a bit left over that we don’t know what to do with, the artist guy down the road who comes and gets your recyclables, will probably have a use for it.
So we’ve got the local garden enthusiast’s club collecting your veggie peelings, the arty fartys and kids scooping the pool on your exciting bits of recyclables, and the occasional non-recyclable, so the good old refuse/waste management/ garbage collecting ‘garbos’, will be heading down the local suburb every week or so to take your nice recyclables to the recycling station. It should only take them a few hours max; they wouldn’t need to do it at 5am because it’s quick and easy; they wouldn’t need to deal with smell or slime, and they’d be the heroes of our town because they’re taking our stuff and making it into other… stuff. Now that’s a job worth loving.
So anytime we create jobs that people don’t’ love’, it’s just a cue to say we haven’t worked it out properly; haven’t quite used our noggins and gone through the finer details. What about other jobs that are on the `wouldn’t do it for quids’ list for most people? Drain cleaners, toilet cleaners, and sewerage workers…. actually they sort of have everything in common don’t they? They’re all smelly, dirty, and have a hell of a lot to do with human waste. Mmm, got any ideas?
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
The Believing vs Effort Ratio
Have you ever noticed that when you really believe you can achieve something, do something or have something, you don’t need to put any effort into getting it? You just say “great” and forget about it and at some point down the road you get it, and hear yourself say “I knew that was going to turn out well.”
Maybe there’s a ratio between how much we believe something and how much effort we have to put in to it. I know that if I really want something, but don’t believe it’s mine by divine right, then I have to work bloody hard to get it: and even then sometimes I don’t. For me getting into believing something is a matter of perspective: If I’m seeing getting something as difficult, I keep turning it around until it’s easy. I feel it in my heart like relief. Then I can let it go, and then I know that it will come.
So really, maybe the only effort we ever have to put in is believing we can have something. And if we can’t believe it in one light, then to look at it from another!
Maybe there’s a ratio between how much we believe something and how much effort we have to put in to it. I know that if I really want something, but don’t believe it’s mine by divine right, then I have to work bloody hard to get it: and even then sometimes I don’t. For me getting into believing something is a matter of perspective: If I’m seeing getting something as difficult, I keep turning it around until it’s easy. I feel it in my heart like relief. Then I can let it go, and then I know that it will come.
So really, maybe the only effort we ever have to put in is believing we can have something. And if we can’t believe it in one light, then to look at it from another!
Divine Order and Social Activism
There is a divine order in the world, and it’s a good thing to remember for all us social activists out there.
What we are creating in the world is a step-by-step process of getting us where we want to go. Everything in the world serves a purpose and is part of this process, otherwise it wouldn’t exist.
The thing is, this divine order cannot be seen solely through the mind, by thinking, by judging, by being angry and frustrated with all that is: that just creates more of the same in the world. The great flow of the universe runs on love, so we need to open our hearts and see the beauty in the world to gain access to this knowledge of divine order. It’s a bit like your own true purpose and desires can only be accessed through your heart, not just your ego.
The world doesn’t need saving, it just needs to be loved.
N.B This blog was inspired by a card in Toni Carmine Salerno’s Magdalene Oracle card Series. www.tonicarminesalerno.com
What we are creating in the world is a step-by-step process of getting us where we want to go. Everything in the world serves a purpose and is part of this process, otherwise it wouldn’t exist.
The thing is, this divine order cannot be seen solely through the mind, by thinking, by judging, by being angry and frustrated with all that is: that just creates more of the same in the world. The great flow of the universe runs on love, so we need to open our hearts and see the beauty in the world to gain access to this knowledge of divine order. It’s a bit like your own true purpose and desires can only be accessed through your heart, not just your ego.
The world doesn’t need saving, it just needs to be loved.
N.B This blog was inspired by a card in Toni Carmine Salerno’s Magdalene Oracle card Series. www.tonicarminesalerno.com
Monday, January 08, 2007
What Would Happen if Everyone on the World Earned the Same Wage?
or Ten Reasons Why it Could Be A Good Idea to Have a Global Wage
1. We would all have enough to survive on (approximately $ 6987 per annum - the average wage globally in 2005 according to Finfacts: Ireland’s Business and Financial Portal)
2. We wouldn’t need to work so hard, because what would be the point? And most people work hard to earn more money. Australians now work the most hours in the industrialised world. Those who love working hard, well that’s nice too
3. We could all do what we love, as we are all getting the same money anyway
4. We could do away with charities, because any left over money circulating would automatically go into charities. That means all the people doing all that great charity work could instead take a nice vacation in the Bahamas
5. If every sick, old, disabled person in the world had $6987 each year, ditto above.
6. If every poor person in the world had $6987 each year, most of the charities would have to disband anyway, so ditto ditto above and above. Poverty would automatically be history, so we could go to rock concerts just to hear the music
7. We could do it initially by taxing everyone over $6987 so that the extra money would be immediately redistributed to those who don’t get that amount.
8. If everyone eared the same amount of money, and that was guaranteed, people would be more inclined to do their dream job - the thing they are passionate about - and that would automatically create a happier and healthier society. For more on how this works, see the blog and article in Issue 12 of Action Change entitled ‘Passionate Employment.’
9. Most wars would cease because there would be no more `greater than’ and ‘less than’. We could all do what we choose with our $6987. There would be no power plays because there would be no money to be gained from them. If for instance, the US decided to invade another oil rich country, they’d just have to put the extra money earned back to those countries that were under the average wage.
10. Crime would pretty much cease straight away, as most people who commit crime are coming from a position of impoverishment. If we all had enough money to survive, the fear of not being able to survive would be removed. Those with a mental illness that incites crime could afford treatment, as they would be earning $6987, and so would the therapist! (i.e. it would be in everyone’s means to receive treatment)
1. We would all have enough to survive on (approximately $ 6987 per annum - the average wage globally in 2005 according to Finfacts: Ireland’s Business and Financial Portal)
2. We wouldn’t need to work so hard, because what would be the point? And most people work hard to earn more money. Australians now work the most hours in the industrialised world. Those who love working hard, well that’s nice too
3. We could all do what we love, as we are all getting the same money anyway
4. We could do away with charities, because any left over money circulating would automatically go into charities. That means all the people doing all that great charity work could instead take a nice vacation in the Bahamas
5. If every sick, old, disabled person in the world had $6987 each year, ditto above.
6. If every poor person in the world had $6987 each year, most of the charities would have to disband anyway, so ditto ditto above and above. Poverty would automatically be history, so we could go to rock concerts just to hear the music
7. We could do it initially by taxing everyone over $6987 so that the extra money would be immediately redistributed to those who don’t get that amount.
8. If everyone eared the same amount of money, and that was guaranteed, people would be more inclined to do their dream job - the thing they are passionate about - and that would automatically create a happier and healthier society. For more on how this works, see the blog and article in Issue 12 of Action Change entitled ‘Passionate Employment.’
9. Most wars would cease because there would be no more `greater than’ and ‘less than’. We could all do what we choose with our $6987. There would be no power plays because there would be no money to be gained from them. If for instance, the US decided to invade another oil rich country, they’d just have to put the extra money earned back to those countries that were under the average wage.
10. Crime would pretty much cease straight away, as most people who commit crime are coming from a position of impoverishment. If we all had enough money to survive, the fear of not being able to survive would be removed. Those with a mental illness that incites crime could afford treatment, as they would be earning $6987, and so would the therapist! (i.e. it would be in everyone’s means to receive treatment)
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Heart Pumping Healing Visualisation!
This morning I had this great experience visualising love hearts pumping through my body as my heart beat. They were pink like cartoon hearts and they pumped dance-like through my body and seemed to cheerily eat up any tired or unnecessary cells floating around in there. It was a great feeling, like I was filled up with happy love! Then they whooshed out of my body and circled around me. Crazy! (but in a good way.)
Friday, January 05, 2007
Creating Your Day, by Divine Right
Each morning a good way to create your day is to feel what it is you’d like to do, and see it all happening.
Then say “if this is the day planned for me as mine by Divine Right, I accept it with gratitude. If there are more important things for me to be doing today in order to fulfil my dreams in perfect ways (with joy, grace and ease,) then bring those things to me as well or instead, and I accept those also, with gratitude.”
It’s not my job to work out the how. My job is to know what it is I want to do in my heart, and do that. It’s not my job to work out the how or why or wherefore. The God force does that – Love does that. I just need to honour myself and who I am.
Most manifestation techniques revolve around setting an intention for the day at the beginning of the day, and then being grateful for the day at the end of the day. In between we go about our business, feeling the good feelings of our intentions, yet holding off expectation. Expectation is not our business, and it actually gets in the way, as we end up doing things in accordance to the when, where, how and why of things and block the natural flow of Love doing what it needs to do.
So again, we just need to know the what, and feel how great that feels to have, and go about our day with that feeling. The rest will take care of itself. If we do picture something, it’s the end result only. You are driving the new car, you are ion your new house, you are with your soul mate. Again, nothing else is your job: just the ‘what.’
Then say “if this is the day planned for me as mine by Divine Right, I accept it with gratitude. If there are more important things for me to be doing today in order to fulfil my dreams in perfect ways (with joy, grace and ease,) then bring those things to me as well or instead, and I accept those also, with gratitude.”
It’s not my job to work out the how. My job is to know what it is I want to do in my heart, and do that. It’s not my job to work out the how or why or wherefore. The God force does that – Love does that. I just need to honour myself and who I am.
Most manifestation techniques revolve around setting an intention for the day at the beginning of the day, and then being grateful for the day at the end of the day. In between we go about our business, feeling the good feelings of our intentions, yet holding off expectation. Expectation is not our business, and it actually gets in the way, as we end up doing things in accordance to the when, where, how and why of things and block the natural flow of Love doing what it needs to do.
So again, we just need to know the what, and feel how great that feels to have, and go about our day with that feeling. The rest will take care of itself. If we do picture something, it’s the end result only. You are driving the new car, you are ion your new house, you are with your soul mate. Again, nothing else is your job: just the ‘what.’
Thursday, January 04, 2007
The Rubber Band Ball Theory of the Universe
I see the Universe and `all there is’, like one of those balls with tight elastic bands inside. The rubber comes apart on the outside and there are all these pieces, yet they stay connected because of the rubber bands. So there are all these particles `out in space’ yet they all attached, so if you flick one of the parts, it all still reverberates, even on the other side of the ball.
Also, what we call `the space in between’ the parts of the ball, is not really space, not empty. It is also a mass, we just can’t see all the gases and such with our naked eye. So, in reality, we are not just all connected, but we are in fact, all the one thing: the ball.
We could also use the human body in the same way to explain how everything in the Universe is all connected, and one organism. We could label parts of us with different names, like we do parts of the Universe. My head could be Saturn (for example), and my hand could be Pluto. My knee could be Earth, and my bum could be… well take a guess.
So if the Universe is connected like the parts of my body is to me, and whatever one of us feels, we all feel. Whatever another planet feels, we feel on earth too. So as individuals we DO all make a difference to how the world and the Universe works. We ARE the difference. People always get overwhelmed with the problems that lie on the other side of the planet and say “but what can I do to help?”
But I point to my knee (earth) and dig my finger-nails in (Pluto), and that hurts! I feel it in different parts of my body (the universe) “ Ow, ow” I say, screwing up my face. But yet I look up at you and say “But what can I do to help?”
“Ow ow” I say again, leaning over and digging my nails in. “But I’m just one person.”
Do you see how funny that is, and how ludicrous?
I think this is what they call biting off your nose to spite your face, but instead, your biting off your nose while your teeth say, “but what can I do to help?”
Everything we do affects everyone else, and the whole of the planet earth, and every other planet out there. How do our choices change now that we have this information? How do the questions we ask in life change? What decisions do we ask our leaders to make?
Act as if you are separate from nothing and no one, and you could heal your world tomorrow – Neal Donald Walsh
Also, what we call `the space in between’ the parts of the ball, is not really space, not empty. It is also a mass, we just can’t see all the gases and such with our naked eye. So, in reality, we are not just all connected, but we are in fact, all the one thing: the ball.
We could also use the human body in the same way to explain how everything in the Universe is all connected, and one organism. We could label parts of us with different names, like we do parts of the Universe. My head could be Saturn (for example), and my hand could be Pluto. My knee could be Earth, and my bum could be… well take a guess.
So if the Universe is connected like the parts of my body is to me, and whatever one of us feels, we all feel. Whatever another planet feels, we feel on earth too. So as individuals we DO all make a difference to how the world and the Universe works. We ARE the difference. People always get overwhelmed with the problems that lie on the other side of the planet and say “but what can I do to help?”
But I point to my knee (earth) and dig my finger-nails in (Pluto), and that hurts! I feel it in different parts of my body (the universe) “ Ow, ow” I say, screwing up my face. But yet I look up at you and say “But what can I do to help?”
“Ow ow” I say again, leaning over and digging my nails in. “But I’m just one person.”
Do you see how funny that is, and how ludicrous?
I think this is what they call biting off your nose to spite your face, but instead, your biting off your nose while your teeth say, “but what can I do to help?”
Everything we do affects everyone else, and the whole of the planet earth, and every other planet out there. How do our choices change now that we have this information? How do the questions we ask in life change? What decisions do we ask our leaders to make?
Act as if you are separate from nothing and no one, and you could heal your world tomorrow – Neal Donald Walsh
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
The Ho’oponopono Technique
'There is a way out of problems and disease for any individual willing to be 100 % responsible for creating her/his life the way it is moment to moment. In the ancient Hawaiian healing process of Ho'oponopono, the individual petitions Love to rectify errors within him.
"I am sorry. Please forgive me for whatever is going on inside of me that manifests as the problem."
Love’s responsibility then is to transmute the errors within him that manifest as the problem. Love does this by erasing and correcting.' (www.ho’oponopono.org)
After I printed the article on Ho’oponopono by Joe Vitale in the second issue of the e-zine (www.actionchange.com), many people told me they had used it in their lives to great effect. Some had said “I’m sorry I love you” to the person who they’d had an issue with, others have said it to themselves - healing themselves in order to heal their world - and others have just said it to no one in particular, in order to heal problematic issues in their lives. All methods have had positive results.
I then came up with a longer phrase, which added more meaning to the words people were speaking or thinking. It includes personalising the statement, forgiving yourself, and asking Love to heal whatever has caused the disturbance.
“I’m sorry (your name). Please forgive me for whatever is happening inside of me that manifests as (whatever the problem is). I ask Love to correct/transmute the errors now. I love you.”
By using this technique, a doctor in Hawaii was able to `cure’ all the patients in his mental ward. See the story in the Action Change e-zine #2 for the full details.
For more info on the ho’oponopono technique, go to www.hooponopono.org
"I am sorry. Please forgive me for whatever is going on inside of me that manifests as the problem."
Love’s responsibility then is to transmute the errors within him that manifest as the problem. Love does this by erasing and correcting.' (www.ho’oponopono.org)
After I printed the article on Ho’oponopono by Joe Vitale in the second issue of the e-zine (www.actionchange.com), many people told me they had used it in their lives to great effect. Some had said “I’m sorry I love you” to the person who they’d had an issue with, others have said it to themselves - healing themselves in order to heal their world - and others have just said it to no one in particular, in order to heal problematic issues in their lives. All methods have had positive results.
I then came up with a longer phrase, which added more meaning to the words people were speaking or thinking. It includes personalising the statement, forgiving yourself, and asking Love to heal whatever has caused the disturbance.
“I’m sorry (your name). Please forgive me for whatever is happening inside of me that manifests as (whatever the problem is). I ask Love to correct/transmute the errors now. I love you.”
By using this technique, a doctor in Hawaii was able to `cure’ all the patients in his mental ward. See the story in the Action Change e-zine #2 for the full details.
For more info on the ho’oponopono technique, go to www.hooponopono.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)