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--Max Ehrmann

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Providence

Acceptance is:full story

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation -- some fact of my life -- unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment.
Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in our world by mistake. Until I could accept my humanity, I could not be complete in living; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes."

adapted by DonInChelsea

practice acceptance as a key:

Acceptance is a daily task as we live life to our full extent. And the practice of acceptance has many elements we learn as we progress our emotional and spiritual development. Two forms of practical steps to acceptance help us in our daily living.

1. Accepting day to day experiences as they occur, as life offers them to us. When we accept our day, how we feel, why and what we can do about it, we see our part in our daily experiences with others. Acceptance is not blind to our personal choices, merely making sure we respond and not react to what we encounter. Ask how am I feeling, why and what can I do?

2. Accepting long term experiences which affect our daily living is part of daily life. Our past will bring up issues for us, sometimes daily, sometimes less frequently. How we feel about ourselves generally, why and what we can do to let ourselves be free, overcome old denials and just live for this day, this takes time and often support and help from sources we trust.

When I ask myself:

How am I feeling

Why

What can I do

I am asserting my "being here and now", and helps to acceptance of my real situation.

DonInChelsea Blog Global Local
BBC DonInChelsea's A Day in the Life


July 2005

copyright© don oddy

Chronicles July 2005

July 1st 2005

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~ perfect patience~

Infinite patience achieves instant results! How can this be true? It is - but you'll need to

meditate on it to see it! When you do, and you can see it, you will have walked through the

gates of paradox and rediscovered truth. Repeat after me...infinite patience achieves

instant results.

July 2nd 2005

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~ can we steer? ~

Steer easily through life by keeping a light touch on the controls, and a strong sense of

humour.

July 3rd 2005

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~ go deep ~

Most of us think too much, especially about events and people, local and global, famous and

not so famous. When we are always thinking about what is happening on the surface of life,

the visible, then it is as if we are living a superficial life. And when two people who both

live on the surface meet, the exchange, the conversation, is superficial, sometimes totally

bereft of meaning. Often it leaves us totally unsatisfied. And as we share news of our

surface observations, we come to know our own superficiality, but we are not strong enough

to resist it. Deep down inside there is a voice, a longing, a calling to depth. It's our

heart, reminding us to visit, explore and express the depths of our ourselves. Everyone has

depth but we confuse the heart with emotion, and forget that emotion is the result of

getting too close to events on the surface. So one of our deepest needs, which is to go in

deep, is seldom satisfied. Going deep and being deep requires time spent in solitude, some

periods of introversion and a conversation with ourselves. We only know what is at the

bottom of the ocean by going there, diving deep and switching on a light and looking through

the lens of a camera. The results are images of depth. How on earth will we ever see what is

in our heart unless we dive deep inside, switch on the light and look. Those who do will

tell you it changes everything. What do they see? Simple, only beauty and truth. They are

always there, waiting for us to return. Waiting to welcome us and to introduce ourselves to

ourselves.

July 4th 2005

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~ peace ~

By taking time to enjoy moments of solitude you make time your friend

July 5th 2005

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~ freedom ~

We marvel at freedom, and hold to our values, the notion we are free.

Freedom is relative, we all have freedoms. We are free to make choices for ourselves. And

some choices are less free. We need to take account of and acknowledge the boundaries which

exist for all freedoms. And we might heed the boundaries imposed to enable our choices in

life. Think on our freedoms, and consider life's boundaries...

July 6th 2005

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~ envy ~

Envy destroys happiness

July 7th 2005

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~ the worst of times ~

today my home town has been bombed and chaos abounds

My hometown is in shock. The extent of the terrorist acts is unfolding and nobody knows the

full extent of the horror.
We knew it would happen and we are as prepared for this event as any other town or
village...
Which means we are not prepared at all! We are experiencing every emotion anyone can feel,

and a bitter sadness that our whole world suffers. When I say our world, I include every

citizen of this world, for we are all affected. We are part of a global society so far out

of balance, any extreme is possible. Every human quality we possess is tested.
I don't have words or insight to share to explain how distorted our humanity has become,

when violence so extreme is used indiscriminately. Only we might reflect how close we are to

barbaric acts today and in our history, maybe we have not travelled too far after all.
And maybe we will learn faster as we face such awful and tragic circumstances. We are all

connected, and we learn the lessons over and over in every generation. Maybe one day we will

be beyond these disastrous events.
I fear that day, where we experience mostly peace, is far away. Our part in world politics,

our government actions in the global arena leave us open to the accusation of barbarism and

the consequences. Our world has moved just one day closer to understanding another harsh

lesson. No one is immune from devastation, when violence is seen as a means to an end...

July 8th 2005

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~ harsh times in London UK ~

Headlines proclaim the worst act of terror in London in history. Certainly in living history

for most of us here in London. My memories span two and a half decades in London, and we

have been witness to countless acts of violence and terror. Before living here in London, I

worked in the Midlands, another regular target for terrorism in the 1970's. Most my adult

life there has always been a threat from someone somewhere.

We never forget those times. Being close to these bombs and countless threats, the

evacuation and search of places where I have worked, it never prepares for the moment and

experience.

Always surreal and eerie, always the outer calm and inner panic, the noise before and the

silence during, then havoc is apparent. And as havoc unravels without hindrance, reality

plunges us into the terror of surviving.

That is what terrorism does. It leaves a mark, a constant reminder, a vigilance and almost

stoic acceptance for the next time.

We were ready, and still we are surprised by our reaction and then response. We have been at

this endeavour longer than we can remember. And terror is not new. Its always with us, even

in our most secure moments, out there. Not troubling our usual days, yet we know to

anticipate and respond.

And yes, life goes on, as we recall those lost to frantic violence. We do not forget our

outrage as sadness veils catastrophic moments.

We tend to the living and mourn our losses. We start again, with respect for all our fellows

and wish for more lasting peace. We do not attack or retaliate indiscriminately. We always

consider why this happens and work to a better future. We try not to condemn out of hand.

A tragic day as we wake in shock, picking up life where it stopped, seeking acceptance and a

better path for the future...

July 9th 2005

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~ overwhelmed ~

we are prone to be overwhelmed by events beyond our control

We are experiencing shock at events in London. People hurt and missing, so many lives lost

to vile acts of terror. Grief cuts deep into our feelings. Our disbelief moves to anger and

rage. We are frustrated by events beyond our control which took away notions of safety, we

are saddened at our losses. We feel the pain inside and can only imagine the suffering of

the bereft, and survivors who were injured.

No one feels right or can contemplate how to feel, everything is out of balance. Our

disturbed reflections keep changing as we hear the stories in the news which hurts every

community. We are normal people, we feel distressed.

Our leaders show us the way. To mourn our dead, to make as safe we can, our community. We

salute those brave enough and resolute, who helped and continue to work in tragic

conditions. We all work to secure our safety and well being. We share compassion.

Hurt, we don't give up. Harmed, we are healing. Resolute in our community. With stoicism and

fortitude we will move on.

July 10th 2005

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~ acceptance ~

acceptance is found by those who are bereft, in their own time. Grief strikes each of us

differently, is felt individually and shared as we are most able. From silence to full

voice, we all have our preference.

Heed your own feelings and enable their expression. How we express and show our feelings in

grief is out of the ordinary. We are least able and less controlled when we are deeply hurt.

As each moment passes we process our feelings. And grief does not simply pass by, we revisit

and remember, we experience it over and over. And with time we feel our pain subside and

always we are touched by our sadness. We do not forget.

In our own good time, we come to accept what we cannot change. We become resolute to

changing that which is possible and we learn wisdom to know the difference. Those words are

universal, have been around for centuries and hold true for all of us.

Our inner peace is derived from our acceptance. Acceptance may take a moment or a lifetime,

acceptance is the key...

July 11th 2005

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~ holding on and letting go ~

we often hold on too long when letting go is the key

An old 'modern' song, "let's hold on to what we've got". I heard the melody in my head and

that line from the verse as I sat with friends. We were discussing the idea of letting go. A

wide and deep subject which keeps our mind occupied very often.

Much of my learning over a long time was about conserving and building and holding on to

what I've got. I was always at odds with this notion of possession and gathering people,

places and things. As if I had any power over or control. The more I had, the greater the

loss if any person, place or thing had to be given up.

I heard in my mind, the inner voice, my chatter to myself about what I have held on to over

the years. I have held on to people, places and things, which were never mine to possess, in

fact the notion I had any ownership always bothered me. And all my life the dilemma about

having and holding was set up to give me conflict. I was always better letting go and

letting the world and people to their own choices. And me to mine. Adoption of others ideas

about a 'good life' a hard concept for me to hold.

Now much of my personal journey is about moving on, letting go and not holding on. And I

guess when I have become stuck and tried to hold on to anything, it surely made me obsessive

and overly controlling. I suspect I have grown another way or path on my journey, around

acceptance. As recollected in earlier moments, acceptance enables closure. And closure is an

ending, with the possibility mostly for new beginnings.

Closure to holding on to anything which we covet is most likely unhealthy and leads to all

manner of resentful behaviour.

Not holding on, to the untenable, the impossible, to things we can no longer sustain will

surely drive us into madness and insane behaviour. Yet in life we will hold on from time to

time, until we recognise we must let go.

Where we accept, we have no prejudice, where we enable our world, we develop our

understanding. Where we let ourselves go, that is about our choices. Choices best made with

an informed mind, open and enquiring.

How difficult to let go? It depends what we hold on to. Most often holding on to history,

dreams and very likely to unreal times no longer present. We might experience our present

day more fully as we let go, and with clarity today, embrace a future certainly beyond our

wildest dreams...

July 12th 2005

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~ calmer moments ~

when we have the time to experience, then reflect we move on

Sometimes so much happens so quickly it is hard to comprehend our world. We need focus on

our part in the world to shape our context. We are bombarded and overwhelmed so often we

forget our needs. It is not selfish, its important, for this is our known experience and its

not going to happen again.

Much change around me, outside my control. And yes powerless, over people, places and

things. I can make my choices for me, just able to discern my boundaries. I must let the

media of modern life replay over and over until it is spent on tragic days. We are kept

reliving recent events as the minutiae is picked over like raw flesh on bones...

And media must replicate and share. Best for my sake to portion my news to one provider, who

I trust. I need not digest tragic events more than is needed to respect loss and sadness.

Denial runs through the river of news, and stoic tales keep alive brave hearts. Brave hearts

who mourn and grieve their way to normality. Everyone touched and following their path to

reason. Chaos reigns as always, made orderly in sentient moments and lost to passion as we

ebb and flow.

July 13th 2005

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~ maturity in our outlook ~

as we grow in our wisdom we find harmony

Wisdom is something we learn, we start with experiences and develop wisdom.

Every human being is on a journey and is developing wisdom. As far as we can, we develop a

maturing outlook and find peace inside ourselves. As we grow confident in our own life, we

need be mindful of our own journey. Especially we need to see others in their development

and outlook.

The world is just the way it is, full of life and nature in ever developing cycles. Nothing

is balanced. Yet everything is balanced in a moment. The balance and outcomes are the

product of all experience.

So in one element of life there may be peace and harmony, at the same time, complete

confusion and chaos in another. Nothing in this world ever resembles complete harmony or

peace.

Some of us are children, some of us are adult, and all of us are still learning about life

to the day we expire.

At times like these in my close community, where violence is used and devastation creates

havoc, we see our children, and we see our adults. Most of all we see how mature we all are

reflected in events and outcomes.

The events of recent days, the loss of life, the terror and the grief we are experiencing

has much to do with our own way of living. We see the result of exclusion, the extremist

views rampant with no other voice. We silenced dissent and dissent took extreme measures. We

need to listen to our world, to include in our world, and to recognise diversity, not create

difference.

In this world we will always have discontentment, we need to acknowledge and work with what

is real. Humans are not that different from each other in their needs. Our wants are as

diverse and complex as experience, wisdom teaches to listen and accept. Some find acceptance

from birth, whilst the majority of us take a lifetime.

July 14th 2005

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~ our world the global village ~

For centuries we have heard the philosophies about cause and effect. From my early years I

learned that the stone tossed into a pond sent ripples across the whole surface. Its

something we can see before us, the small stone, the large pond, the ripples made across the

water.

In all things global, especially now, the effects of one moment where an incident is seen,

and our eyes are aware, the impact is truly global and foreseeable.

Where there is justice, we see it, where there is injustice we see it, where there is

something we feel is important, we react to it. The "it" and how we react is our own path.

It is just 7 days since we in London saw the impact of terrorist action. So many killed and

and so many witness to the terror. In their way, the terrorists made a global impact on this

world. And for the most of us, we view this event with the deepest sorrow. Our sorrow

extends to the motivation, the action and the outcome of tragic events.

And as we witnessed the global effect, we were humbled by opinion, of families who are

bereft, both those who prosecuted the act and those who suffered as a consequence.

There is no burden so hard, where loss is acute. And those around the world who have been

touched by such a heavy hand feel their pain mustered from deep within.

We must look to ourselves and honour as we see fit, and realise our part in world events.

How our actions impact on this world become more apparent. Our community is surely tested

with vile acts of terror. Community... the greatest asset we have, for no one stands alone.

How we treat each other, how we develop our global community and how we conduct ourselves

personally has always been paramount. And more so now, as we see our neighbour is not just

next door, or in the next village or country. We are all neighbours in this global world. As

we hear the beat of a butterflies wings so light upon the air, we can surely know it is felt

across this earth. Our connection is assured.

Our conduct in this world is the measure of us. How we live with confidence and support

shared as broad as all mankind, is our right and our legacy to humankind...

July 15th 2005

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~ democracy - dealing with extreme views ~

most of us are open to truth and need to be informed. We listen...

Yes, we listen to the views of others. Often a view on life is full of notions which support

a particular viewpoint. We all like to believe we are truthful and open in our views and

yet, somehow we often find ourselves with views on life which reflect belief rather than

truth.

In our ideal world, truth would be universal and obvious, yet in our world most of the time

this is never obvious, unless we have belief.

We have experienced in recent times how often truth is manipulated or misheard. The

exponents of selected truth put over a view to please their way of seeing the world. When we

challenge some views we often struggle to be heard.

Politics and religion have caused endless wars, atrocities and much more besides based on

beliefs. Behind all these forms of truth are human beings.

We are all learning. Some are very new to truth, some are steeped in their own version of

truth. And because we are beings held in order by society and community, we often dispute

truth because it does not suit us.

Disorder follows, to varying degrees of disturbance. In the pursuit of truth and justice, we

are all capable of extreme behaviour. Our witness to recent events show how powerful extreme

views spill into violence and death.

Extremes flourish where there is no room for our voice. Extremism flourishes when there is

no democracy. Extreme behaviour is inevitable where people are not listened to or cared for

in our societies. Extreme reactions lead to more reactions of an extreme nature.

Harmony and informed living is about listening to all elements in our societies. Harmony is

about developing our common outlook on our world. Harmony is about accepting diversity.

Society is about enabling codes of behaviour which enhance and develop our communal living.

In all these complex and growing societies to which we all belong, listening and modifying

and building are the key to a balance. Where there is imbalance life will not find harmony.

Where there is extreme behaviour, we most often polarise and fall into conflict. How hard is

it to listen? Its as hard as our belief and faith. Often so self righteous we will condone

killing to defend our position.

We need to listen more, develop diversity and open our society to democratic challenge.

Right now we have lost sight our greatest asset if we fall into prejudice and intolerance.

We need our democracy more so now than ever before, where all voices find a platform and all

of us can take part...

July 16th 2005

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~ spiritual language ~

To create the future we desire we need a spiritual language; we must speak from the heart

and in the language of the soul - a language of trust, faith and higher values, of inner

growth, love and listening.

July 17th 2005

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~ self interest ~

Self interest clearly lies in considering the interests of others.

July 18th 2005

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~ unconditional acceptance ~

Accepting ourselves and others unconditionally allows everyone to remove their masks and

feel at ease with who they are...

July 19th 2005

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~ empowerment ~

Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn:
"You can have power over people as long as you don't take everything away from them. But

when you've robbed a man of everything, he's no longer in your power."

July 20th 2005

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~ our values ~

Human beings can do whatever they set their minds to. With pure values we can move mountains

July 21st 2005

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~ lost & found ~

so many memories over time, we find our losses often equal what we find

Many years ago I became aware that we have huge capacities to keep memories alive. We store

most of what we experience and with a little time and effort can reveal just any amount of

distant memories.

Sometimes we seem to live in a state of forgetfulness. Hard to recollect either the good or

sad times. Yet all these memories are there inside us, keeping us focussed and interpreting

the world as we see it. We have common ground and reference, at the same moment our

experience is unique and based on everything we are.

Our memories become our reference points, our touchstones, our own personal philosopher’s

stone, our own alchemy and metaphysics.

The ingredients of life, unique measures we decant, enable us to see our world with

authenticity. The combination sublime, always a one off event, often we attempt replication

and find similarity, nothing is ever the same again.

Our loss of the unique event, is distilled over and over, enriched with our own essence as

we find our experiences fresh each day.

Even in repetition, the pattern flawless and copied, our outcomes will be forever diverse

and experienced with nuance sometimes hard to perceive.

We know there is nothing new in creation, or do we? For as we speed from birth to

extinction, everything we know carries our own unique view, tempered by every experience and

stored by nature and nurture... Baffling our natural science with impeccable pedigree, each

day offers enrichment even in emotional penury. The wealth and paucity, the conundrum in

semantics, our gravitas carries the treasure of a full life. We carry without burden the

weight of life spent in its pursuit...

July 22nd 2005

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~ when abnormal feels normal ~

how do we deal with abnormal times?

Here in London we are dealing with abnormal times, another day of explosions. Still a rare

happening for those of us who live here. I am reminded of times gone by, where other

terrorists set their bombs for us.

There is no consolation when trouble makes us wary and very concerned, but at the same time

we tend to adapt and see these horrid times as normal after a while.

This abnormal normal, this awful acceptance that we are all considered targets comes about

very quickly. We have to get on with our lives, we do not forget the fear or horror, yet we

get on. And to the motives and the cause, we are mindful of the causes of terror, we are

thoughtful about the motivations which can drive people to give up their lives for justice.

And we take care to see their reason, which causes unreasonable and barbaric acts. There is

no bargain to be struck with insanity, for surely it is insane to end ones own life.

July 23rd 2005

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~ instant reactions and contemplative response ~

as our world becomes more fractured and rage is expressed, the dangers of the moment may

plunge us into chaos now easily imagined.

We humans are so easy to understand if we take the time. As times are moving quickly and the

response to terrible events unfolds, we all feel we are swept along and endure more fear and

worry because of others rage.
This world is small and we see violence and terror at home and abroad. The world views all

acts of violence and the violent extremists prosecute their terror. In these times we are

losing sight of the cause. More important right now, to contain further atrocity and place

our energy into prevention.

Let us hope the means to these waves of terror is diminished. And as we react, then pause,

then reflect, more is needed to find our response to crimes against all humanity and nature.

We will miss opportunities as we deal with the new world terror, to find solutions to age

old problems. If anyone mistakes the events and looks only at the superficial nature of what

we are experiencing, then we will endure the same over and over.

Beneath all the rhetoric and expressions of fury, the root is powerlessness. Voices

screaming and unheard, tortured souls abandoned and lost, human beings who have lost faith

with this life and their creation.

How else would we explain barbarism and murder? When rage blinds, when hope is lost for

one's own life and its worth is given to murder, redemption is truly beyond human hands.

No creator of life would sanction the causes of this barbarism. No creator would sanction

this extreme behaviour. Yet in all these matters we must never forget it is the human hand,

the human mind which has all these capacities.

Our humanity, our maturing outlook, is not that mature when faced with extinction. We might

recognise in our fellow human beings those attributes we have in ourselves. Our outlook and

reaction no more than instinct, necessary and very basic indeed.

Humanity, a source for the good and the bad. We do well to include all humanity in this

small world. For we are surely the sum of all parts, best in our diversity and the worse for

our differences...

July 24th 2005

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~ birthdays are important reminders ~

Birthdays are milestones in our lives. Especially birthdays of those we love. And with all

matters involving time, birthdays represent most often accomplishment.

The passing of time, the accomplishment of another year is significant. A year of learning,

of experiencing the world. Accepting this day not unlike any other, yet special so we can

acknowledge our path.

Big feelings are felt on big days. And big feelings are smart feelings. Whether joy or

sadness, we are able to reflect on this time and times which stretch as far as memory. Oft

we look back and find the good in our lives, and we are easily able to catch our breath at

all events which have impact on this special day.

In some way we enable a judgement to be made and to experience our lot. And our lot holds

the key to acceptance of ourselves completely.

Acceptance is the key. That state of being which allows us to feel all emotions in their

full measure as remembered and occurring. Acceptance is the key, a daily maintenance to help

restore our inner balance. And there is no perfect balance in acceptance.

As dawn breaks and the waking mind ticks over, awakening every element of us, like a

pendulum sways, from silence to a voluble stir our inner voice whispers how we are. And so

with a whisper across oceans of time, I send love and birthday greetings, with heartfelt

sentiment wherever you are..

July 25th 2005

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~ world events ~

Wherever we live we are not immune to the good or bad news in the world. As world residents,

our neighbours are next door and in the next continent. We are all neighbours in this

world...

So we feel the impact of news from around our world as it happens. In these times of instant

access through news media and by friendships, our feelings about the world are more

sophisticated and more easily understood. We do not ignore what is happening and we are all

linked more closely.

We see the similarities in our world and our diversity. We see the differences too. And

hopefully as we understand each other so mutual respect where its due and concern where it

is not.

The more open our societies and cultures become, the more informed we all are to what is

right, what is practical and what we can all do for our fellow human beings. We see more

clearly than ever justice and injustice, the best examples of living and the worst examples

of living. We see our impact on this world.

And in some measure we can see what we do for the common good. What we are doing in our own

back yard, and how we might help others in their own back yard. We can acknowledge our part

in the world. And yes everyone has an impact.

As we grow in understanding, we will learn our right size in this world, no larger or

smaller than any other. For we are all equal in this world. Not just a principle, more a

value we wish for everyone.

Our mutuality and respect will be earned over many generations. No one community or country

is ever at the same place in maturity, or its populations. The time when all are equal, is

not merely an ideal, it is a possibility in time. The opportunity for all to participate in

this world close to their inclination and potential becomes more realistic. A century from

now, the world will be more interdependent and diverse. We see the closeness developing, the

opportunities growing. And we experience the harshness of development as the world is

becoming more open. Not everyone welcomes global citizenship.

Hard times and softer times, as we become more masterful and enabled. Along the way, we will

encounter conflict and desperate times. Out of adversity we learn and move on.

We are part of a journey, when others look back at our part in this world history, let us

hope our contribution is recognised. We are a very young global culture, we are newly world

citizens, with few tools at our disposal. Global citizens will walk this earth in safety one

day, a day far in the future as our growing pains are obvious. Valuing diversity and not

difference will help us on our way.

July 26th 2005

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~ freedom of expression ~

we all need to find our freedom of expression. Like all freedoms, expression has its

consequences...

July 27th 2005

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~ brother/sisterhood and unity ~

Understanding the worth and dignity of every human being is the key to brotherhood and

unity.

We agree to universal truths, and often we forget them when our mind is less than balanced.

All universal truths are honourable, we may work to honour our custom and practice, learning

the meaning of truth through experience. And experience is our best teacher...

July 28th 2005

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~ shower everyone with pure thoughts and good feelings ~

To find our path to spirituality requires faith. Faith in ourselves and others that we do

our best over time and because we learn. No one is perfect. We all can err so easily and

completely, we are lost without forgiveness.

Forgiving is often a prolonged exercise, forgiveness enables us to shower good feelings and

pure thoughts. We learn and develop, we might remind ourselves the same is true of others

whatever wrongdoing we perceive from time to time.

The most difficult fellows we encounter in this life make endeavour and forgiveness a daily

occurrence. Our spiritual path is a journey of self discovery made good by our own actions

and deeds, not the judgement of others...

July 29th 2005

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~ our values and principles ~

we all work out our personal values and principles for living

Most of us soon learn our values and principles. We learn them from our family and from our

community. Most of us want to be included in our family and community, simply because we

prefer inclusion rather than exclusion.
In our lives we enjoy being in control of our own path, our own way of being. Being in

control of ourselves is preferable. When we feel out of control, there are infinite

combinations of feelings and situations which make this happen. Out of control is different

to letting others have control over parts of our family and community life.
We work out in time, the amount of inclusion and control that suits us as individuals. And

we agree through tradition often the amounts of inclusion and control we have in many life

situations.
Our inclusion and control is relative to friendship, kinship, love and affection. We have

control and choice, we have self determination. We make our own choices when family,

community and society enable our options.
As we grow and develop, we become very involved and included. We exercise self control, and

often to an extent, control over our immediate environment. We need take account that we

move in family and society with known boundaries and codes of behaviour.
When there is difference and conflict, our values and principles of living become

challenging. How we cope and deal with challenge and conflict, this is where our family and

society most often develop strategies and tactics for resolution.
There is the acid test for most of us, how we move within our families, communities and the

wider society, when we utilise our values and principles to resolve change. Change ever

present, ever evolving, is a gift we embrace and nurture, enabling with a positive attitude

yet so easily disruptive and threatening.
Our challenge in fast changing and evolving society is diversity and difference. How we as

mature societies evolve is a keystone to our humanity. Humanity is the ever bigger picture,

beyond family, community and society. Humanity is our totality and the values and principles

we develop as individuals need be consistent with those of humanity.
After all, what works on an individual basis will be the foundation for humanity as it

develops. The values of openness, honesty and integrity impact on every element of human

life. Fair dealing is a principle, most easy to support with our values, what we do in

practice supports our diversity or our destruction.

July 30th 2005

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~ look inwards ~

We all have three eyes. Two for looking out and one for looking in. Why would we want to

look in when everything is happening 'out there'? Because the treasure we seek is inside,

not outside. What is treasure? Beauty, truth, peace, happiness. You already have what you

seek. You already are stunningly beautiful. You are already peaceful and loving. How come

you don't know this? Simple, you never look inwards, beyond superficial memories or recent

experiences, so you never see your own riches. Take a moment to stop, look in and see. Don't

rush. Don't search. Just look. And be aware

July 31st 2005

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~ power on ~

Each day we all need to recharge our spiritual battery, otherwise the light of our

consciousness becomes dim, thoughts become fuzzy, and decisions are impregnated with doubt.

Power is available inside and outside. Inside us we have a spiritual centre, at the core of

our consciousness, pure radiant spiritual light. This is what we are. However it is now

blocked by our attachments, the record of all our life experiences and many learned beliefs

and perceptions. Outside us we have the sun of spirit, the source, invisible to our physical

eyes but only one second away when we are able to quieten and focus our mind. Meditation

connects us to both sources of power - that's why meditation is the way to access the real

vitamins and the minerals that spirit craves. The vitamin of pure love and the minerals of

truth and wisdom. Take time to empower yourself today. Sit quietly and connect your mind to

each source and allow yourself to recharge and renew.

Copyright © Don Oddy
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--Rudyard Kipling

IF

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!


August 14th 2006

A month in Recovery

This link to my birthday, and the start of my diary on "30 days in recovery," this follows my journey over a month in my fellowship, Alcoholics Anonymous.

Unedited and written raw, no revisions or re-writes. Just as it happened and without prejudice.

Obsessions

fear of fear?full story

"I did feel the need to speak to a couple of people after the meeting to allay their fears of some things medical and what it means for me, a person who has some experience strength and hope to share about precisely those medical fears as they come along. And why?

Well because I have had some medical scares along the way and have ongoing medical conditions. I don’t shout or complain too loudly about my medical conditions. For the record they fall into three categories. First I am in recovery from addiction and have been sober for some time, measured now in years. Second, I have clinical depression, an ongoing medical condition which has been around for most my adult life according to professional experts, and is now treated. And third, the one which makes life even more haphazard is Type 1 diabetes."