Change is life's way of returning itself to a state of balance...

Change is life's way of returning itself to a state of balance...

In February 1991 the Dyerville Giant, was the world's tallest tree, standing 370 feet tall and towering over it's surroundings. A month later it fell after over a thousand year reign. Now it is 20 years into providing food and shelter for hundreds of animals, ferns and bacteria...

Why do we resist change? Fear...

We know how things are and we have learned to live with even uncomfortable circumstances. Change may bring great relief and opportunity, but we say,"The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know."

Change is the Universe stating that it intends to keep growing, and growth is the fuel of change. Without change nothing would move forward, nothing could evolve. It used to be OK to enslave human BEings, but we have changed... Cigarette ads used to promote good health!

Some people are determined to drag their feet and be an obstacle to any change. Many religious folks are like this, they decide to fight against change, they become "righteous"... In reality they are, "Stuck in the past," "Analog kids," "Oldschool," "Defenders," and not the vanguard they imagine. "Truth" changes. Ideas about what is right change, not only by individuals but by whole societies. It has always been this way. We no longer sacrifice our first born on the altar.

"Change" is going forward whether you want it to or not; you can't prevent the sunset, and sunrise IS coming... Healthy living requires accepting change, adaptation, adopting new ways, ideas, embracing the FRESHNESS of life.

Today when you come across a, "That's the way we've always done it attitude," (whether yours or someone else's) imagine yourself at the fulcrum, the balance point, and go forward DOWNHILL instead of resisting the inevitable...

Duffy

Find someone whose spirit needs lifting and give them a boost...

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When you're really feeling down and out, find someone whose spirit needs lifting and give them a boost. Experience the feeling you give them...

You've heard that Joy is in the giving and not the receiving. Mostly this has been said during traditional holidays where presents are exchanged.

There is nothing wrong with this view, however the original statement relates to a different kind of giving; a giving of oneself, freely and without regard for reciprocity. Simply stated, "When you wish to feel something, give that feeling to another." What is truly wonderful is that you too will feel the feeling that you give!

Imagine you're feeling "broke." Find a homeless prerson and give them $5. Not only will he/she no longer feel penniless, but you will magically feel you have money! It is an interesting phenomenon, but your brain can't accept you are broke when you obviously had the money to give, and thus it miraculously changes your outlook!

This works in all ways! If you want to feel pretty, cause someone else to feel pretty. If you want to feel love show someone LOVE... Or, encouragement, compassion, empathy...HAPPINESS!

Today when you're wishing for a feeling you aren't experiencing, find someone else and give them that feeling. You will reap the magical reward immediately...

Duffy

The greatest gift you can ever give another is your full attention...

The greatest gift you can ever give another is your full attention. BE absolutely present with them...

We have been taught to define our interactions with others as a function or a role, and as the good students that we unwittingly are, we conduct ourselves accordingly.

At work you are a co-worker, a subordinant or a boss, possibly a rival. At home you are a husband/wife/child/sibling, the breadwinner, the martyr, the housewife, the soccer mom... In other arenas, you are the best friend, the confidant, the other woman, one of the guys, a public servant, a customer, a neighbor, etc...

All of these and many, many more, have customary parameters that define how the interaction is to be conducted. Of course there are variations due to region, age or some other demographic, but mostly we are playing a "part" and feeling apart.

We are meant to BE interCONNECTING as spiritual BEings, each simply individual manifestations of ONE greater whole. Instead of the usual superior/subordinant positions we are used to, we are intended to experience reciprocal togetherness, and share empathy, compassion and LOVE... This can only happen when we are fully PRESENT with each other, when we drop our "role" or "function", and when the good in us speaks directly to the good in another...

Today look at each individual you meet and realize you are with
another soul. Instead of speaking "to" them or "at" them, BE with them...

Duffy

The human heart is like a spigot...

The human heart is like a spigot. Most people have theirs closed to a manageable slow drip...Open yours all the way...So you get wet!!!

Why are people closed off? FEAR...

We believe we can manage the pain of being hurt if we slow the flow of love. This is somewhat like trying to manage disease by not eating. And, this focus on the "hurts" of the past is one of the prime reasons we are not "in" the present as well.

We are surrounded by stories of "tough old birds" and the like, and are actually encouraged by our culture to become one. "Suffer in silence," "Nobody cares," "Big boys don't cry," etc., are constant reminders to close off/shut down/protect yourself...

It may be profitable for the manipulators of society to manage a flock of calloused, non-feeling ex-patriates of the human race, but is this really the life YOU want? If you had the choice of a life of living and giving LOVE would you not jump at the chance? It is in fact RIGHT THERE for the having. It is only your FEAR, and subsequent closing off of your spigot that is preventing it. Imagine the incredible lightness of BEing if you weren't dragging your fears through life...

Today, notice how often you are encouraged to close the spigot, and remind yourself that the only victim of this is yourself. Open that spigot and give LOVE unflinchingly. Don't be contrite, be the light...

Duffy

Your Ego perceives the faults in others as their identity...

Your Ego perceives the faults in others as their identity. Actually it is a reflection of your own identity...

We all have identities, some real and some imagined. Real identities are reference points, markers, the lines drawn from place to place across the
map of your life. It is natural for these experiences to mold you somewhat, a regional accent is a prime example. However it is in the imagined arena where the trouble lies, where our exagerated view of ourselves corrupts our view of others.

Why? Our Ego wants to be important. Our Ego, in its grasping, desperate need to be special, will latch onto ANYTHING available for even a momentary boost... It inflates all of your real identities, giving them relevant/unique/standout status; a "vain attempt" at significance.

Where this manifests itself is in our fault finding of others. When you label someone as classless/stupid/boring/tiresome/poor/uneducated or in any other negative manner, you perceive these attributes as their identity(s). In actuality it is your Ego saying that you are superior, unconsciously stating YOUR identity!

Today, notice when finding fault that you feel a touch, a tiny flush of self-esteem associated with it... Instead give a flush of self-esteem, by finding something to offer as encouragement. It will help you both...

Duffy

Only by ALLOWING is one moving in the direction of the Universe...

Only by ALLOWING is one moving in the direction of the Universe...Anything else is you fighting the Universe...

All is perfection... What is imperfect is your opinion.

The Universe is unfolding exactly as planned and it is easy to see when we look out at the heavens; billions of stars, billions of galaxies, supernova, nebulae, dark matter... Even here at home most people marvel, as a matter of course, the perfection of nature.

It is our attitudes to other people where we stumble; "Muslims! Christians! And Jews! Oh my!" Foreignors, strangers! or heaven forbid LIBERALS!!!!

Each and everyone is living life according to his/her personal view of what is right/correct/fine. Not one of them is "wrong." It is YOUR opinion/judgement/labelling that makes them wrong. In fact they are just as the Universe intended them to be. Their souls are each working out their own personal mission, their soulwork. In addition they each provide you with the perfect opportunity to decide WHO YOU ARE in relation to them. In that they are all teachers. It is said that God sends us nothing but Angels; and so it is...

All that is required to ease/end your anger/hatred/frustration is to change your opinion. A simple change of your perspective is all you need...

Today, key in when you begin to experience the feeling of judgement and simply change the way you are looking at things. To not do so, is simply fighting the Universe...

Duffy

The laughter of children is the Universal language of spirit...

Tired of hatred, ideology, parameters? Listen to the laughter of children playing in any language. It is the language of spirit. Go there...

Xenophobia is the unreasonable or unfounded fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.

In today's world where it appears we are running out of space, food, clean water, and fuel, one thing we are not running out of is FEAR...
We are bombarded by messages of those who benefit from our fear. The spokespersons, haters on the radio, TV and other media are well paid to spout their hatred, hatred that reinforces the fears of their audience. The truth is these mouthpieces are well paid by those who want to keep in place a "Winner take all" ideology, one that says that losers are.... LOSERS!

There are no losers in God's eyes...

We need a fresh way of looking at things. Children laughing provide a map for us. They look at each meeting, each interaction, as a way to share in the fun of pure living. We can take a lesson here, and begin to look away from our fears. If we begin to see as God does, that we are all winners, ALL ONE, we can devise a new way of sharing that guarantees everyone a life of dignity, with ENOUGH; for the ample bounty of the Earth provides enough for ALL, as long as we stop the hoarding by the few at the expense of the rest...

Today when you shy away from someone or something foreign, ask yourself why. A closer look will show you how much more similar we are than you expected...

Duffy