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Ego

10/5/2016

So we asked our family about ego...

...their words were powerful.

"It Became the dominate part of my soul..."

Since my parents got divorced. I fed my soul with all the negative energy. It became so familiar with me that my ego got out of control. It became the dominant part of my soul. I used and misused my ego to my own benefits.

I wasn't even aware of it cause I have my survival instinct being alone not having you're mother and father around. Moving to a new country made me exited to start a new life from rock bottom. Well that I haven't experience yet cause got adapt myself really fast with no awareness at all. Striving blind to fit in change my personality I was that kind of person that craved for attention by using my talents I hurt a lot of other people to feed my ego.

Even misusing love cause I was missing it in my childhood. Ego is like a sponge and our defense mechanism, it feeds from or fear hate and all negative energy. Which dis-balance you're soul and taking you out of course. It's a huge distraction!. Be aware for the illusion will appear to occupy you're conscious mind. And always remain at peace

-Florentino Taeza Cadorna

"When re relax we become peaceful."

Ego means "self." There is nothing inherently wrong with having one, as long as you realize it isn't yours alone; you share it with every other being. It is one great Self. The middle ground between selfishness and selflessness, is just self; just being. Ego only causes problems when we fail to let it just BE. Be yourself, be myself, be ourself....just be The Self.

All the sins of the ego - greed, lust, envy, narcissism, hatred, fear, etc. - are merely a misty film that flows over our eyes when we fail to simply just BE. The ego itself creates those illusions when it isn't at peace. It isn't at peace, when we're always trying to do this; trying to do that, etc.

Peace is the natural state of all things that relax. When we relax, we become peaceful. When we are peaceful, the ego becomes peaceful, and there is no more anger, hatred, greed, lust, fear, etc. So, just BE "the self."

-Raven's Sacred Voice

"...inhibits the growth of common sence."

Truly spiritual people have evolved to a higher understanding that doing or offering anything in return for personal reward, recognition, or material gain, is never about love, but instead power and control. Nor do these things strengthen spirit.

They only feed ego, the polar opposite of Spirit, and while they often appear attractive and necessary at the time, they only diminish your connection to spirit for whenever you feed your ego, spirit grows weaker. When you allow your own ego or someone else’s to control your thoughts, beliefs, attitudes and resulting behaviors, you invite fear, anxiety and unrest into your life and this prevents you from becoming all you can be. Ego can become an insatiable monster, if you allow it to; a master of manipulation with a profound ability to take over the most vulnerable parts of your heart and soul.

It needs to be “right” all the time and will convince you that your thoughts are superior to others and any misfortune that you encounter is always the fault of someone else or some other outside force. Ego will do anything to convince you that personal gain promotes internal strength and security. It’s all about fabricated impressions, outward appearances, and winning at any and all costs. The more you give into its selfish desires, the weaker spirit becomes until a point is reached where your ego may gain complete control over the totality of your being and you lose sight of whom you really are.

Ego hacks away at your natural ability to reason and inhibits the growth of common sense. It will, if you allow it to, separate you from everyone else and prevent you from offering others support and encouragement because that would pull the spotlight away from its huge need to always be at the center of attention.

-Randall Corley

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UNITY

7/19/2016

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A Power to Grow From

Unity is a power to grow from, it’s love and creation that connects and transforms endless aspects of life. Even in the event of something falling apart, the pieces are uniting with the rest of the unknown to cycle back again and give purpose to what was. Reflection is a form of unity, bringing past into present creating the vibration of your future. These forms of unity are constant and natural for the most part, but the ones that are needed to heal the collective are the ones individuals create with each other. For we each are the manifested filters of perception, and through us experiences are formed. Our reality is nothing more than echoes and vibrations of all that we cast out from within. Like ripples from rain on the pond, we send out many waves that bump and merge with other frequencies and bounce back to us to accept or resist. When we unite, these waves move in the same direction and peace washes over us. We no longer appear to be single drops falling into a sea of misunderstandings, but become a waterfall of strength. Of course as everything begins from within, however, the unity of one’s male and female energies must have a balance to create a foundation to make an external bond every lasting. Otherwise we can easily crumble and be thrown down stream into a new lesson of self reflection, taking us away from what we thought was a path of personal truth. If we could move from the ego mind of knowledge and unite with the spirit heart of creation our society would have a healthier foundation for individuals to build themselves upon. Love for ourselves unites us to the love from others.
~ Elliott Alan L. Dunn

Art by Elliott

~ Oneness ~

Unity is a result of harmony and accord, oneness. To accomplish unity throughout humanity, we must all be in agreement. Sounds impossible...but it's actually quite simple. With so many different truths from so many different cultures, we are creating discord and defense. Every bit of information on this earth is expressed through the perspectives of humans. That filter, discounts pure truth. To claim truth is arrogant. To claim possibility is respect. A perspective is never wrong, nor is it ever right. When the emotional wall is up humans tend to feel threatened by the view of others. Perhaps this is because our individual vessels were intended to survive and multiply while operating with a perception that was formed on mimicry. When we take time in solitude and wonder, we can really get to know ourselves. This allows us to customize our perception through forcing thoughts and possibilities into new pathways in our brain via synapses. Once we realize that the opinions of others are opportunity for growth, the feeling of defense will subside. Unity of humanity isn't the concept of each individual being the same....it's transforming the idea of truth into possibility. We can keep our uniqueness and be one unit.
~ Sarma Katemillion

Togetherness

Art by Elliott

The Greatest Speech Ever Made

Art by Violet Ange

Art by Prerana

My View from Here,

I am here at the lake staring at the beauty of my simple life, reflecting on my own personal UNITY. Through the lens of my experience and the wisdom of my soul I have observed unity inside & around me for over half a century. In the past 3 weeks, I have been blessed with enough 'free' time to truly pause. I am discerning & compartmentalizing the energetics of life & lessons and growing more fascinated with the subtle inner workings of how life experience metabolizes into thought and/or action. Even idleness is a proper action if it is done with purpose & meaning.

Whenever I require advice or guidance, I first go to my Soul. I consult my A-Team as Linda Kavelin-Popov calls it (Angels, Ancestors & spirit Animals). I liken the process to retreating where I go deeply into reflection & reframing, like a good old fashioned defrag. A computer term that according to Wikipedia means "In the maintenance of file systems, defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation. It does this by physically organizing the contents of the mass storage device used to store files into the smallest number of contiguous regions (fragments)." I take both mental (silent) and physical retreats as in the case of internal unity and it has been my process for over 30 years. I trust it as a critical step to help sort out what's really going on?, what is in my heart & head. An assessment and reviewing of an experience to discern what is real process became an integral part of how I AM. And more importantly, I sort out fact from assumption and what is within my control? With a clearer understanding, I take what I know about my reality and to enter a sacred state of reverence. Recently someone invited me to "move on" with something. In their idealistic hope for unity, they do not yet know the way grace brings teachable moments to me. This is an experiential strategy that has a power to defrag: tap, sort & reframe order.

Even before I knew of it, I saw that my uniqueness was worthy of protecting. Since 19, I was aware that the unity humanity craved was with the soul. Each of us must find out own. I was consciously testing the laws of attraction in 1980s, although there was no name for it then and Unity and I have manifested an amazing life. My partner is my best friend, I have an amazing family, in-laws too, my community is made up of people who bring out the best in me, I am doing what I love & loving what I do, I am finding my tribe & open to the future that unity will bring.

Unity can be courageous work. It might require sacrificing one thing for something better. In our current climate, I am finding it often means being in a constant cycle of teachable moments where sometimes I am the one smoothing the waters & sometimes I"m pushing through the roaring storm or painfully detaching from someone or something toxic. Sometimes Unity means you are walking alone in the world.
~ Barbara Mackenzie

Uniting through Meme Creation

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---STRENGTH---

7/10/2016

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There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so gentle as True Strength

There are moments on this journey of Living, moments fueled by the weight of fear and struggle, by the grief of loss, moments when the heart can feel itself shattering from the deepest wounds of abandonment and betrayal. Yet, these are some of the most Important and Magical moments of our lives.

These are the moments when we can choose to find Strength within the discomfort, strength to build ourselves back from the ruins of decay and the pain of our past. These are the moments when Strength comes not only from Within, but also from Without...from our own Choosing, to find the spark of Light that exists within all darkness, to seek the cosmic unspeakable Awe of the Divine.

In moments such as this, it is the balance of our individual, inner Strength inextricable and beautifully entwined with the Universal Strength that conquers all fear and aligns all of Life, that leads us through the gateway to grace. --Julia

Art by Prerana

Unseen Power of Love Can Open the hearts of men

I read once that muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the Unseen Power of Love Can Open the hearts of men. You see what we're doing here and passion planet is trying her best to give others strength when they need it most. You see if we work on a collective level like we do on an individual level we would be able to conquer the depths of space. Unity is only possible when the individual realizes the power and strength deep within his heart.

Power has the ability to corrupt the strongest of men. Therefore as a community and Society if we focused on love instead of power we can realize the true strength and our existence. We have every right to be here just as we are when you push back in the universe the universe just might give you what you want. So I hope to inspire the courage in the so I hope to inspire the courage in the core of your heart to shine his light on all in your path.--Mike

Art by Prerana

* Strength transforms you both inside and out at ever moment of life*

Art by Prerana

Strength is a wide spectrum of abilities. You can be physically strong, mentally or emotionally. There is strength in creating. Having a voice through vocabulary or imagery shows strength from the creator and also gives strength to the one who resonates with the content. Its also something we don’t realize is always underneath the moments of feeling weak.
For the truth is that if you are aware of or considered something to be weak, you instinctively and subconsciously know the strength on the reverse side. Weakness is strength playing hide and seek, so one can gain experience in personal growth. Knowing and understand is individual strength, and how much energy is applied to thoughts and ideas within, builds the foundation of one’s values and achievements.

However, the most obvious and yet hidden strength that each and every being within this universe contains, on an equal level, is the fact that you are existing. Now. You invoke the entire universe within you, and project a constant experience which is perceived outside of you. This is a constant exchange and movement of strength as it transforms you both inside and out at ever moment of life. --Elliot

Art by Violet

Emotional strength involves a person’s ability to deal with challenges

Emotionally strong people face stresses of daily life more effectively and recover much more quickly from challenges and crisis when they arise. Society often portrays emotionally strong people as quiet, stoic types who never complain and whose emotional expression during crises is limited to silent, dramatic stares out into the horizon.

Any signs of emotional distress, such as tears (especially in men), is often viewed as evidence that the person having difficulties coping is emotionally weak. Such notions are not only incorrect but tremendously misleading. Emotional strength has little to do with outward stoicism and even less to do with any sort of momentary reaction. Rather, emotional strength is something that can only be assessed over time. By definition, it involves a person’s ability to deal with challenges and bounce back from them, not how they respond in any given moment.--Randall

Forgiveness is my Strength-I forgive because I can!

Art by Barbara

Forgive those who have trespassed against us? Is this a virtue or a fault? And what does forgiveness actually do for us, our spirits?Do you find it hard to forgive or does it just depend on what that person did to you?

If no person ever did us wrong, injured or slighted us, then we would never have the opportunity to practice patience, or for that matter compassion. For this reason, we can say that our so-called adversaries are “helpful.” They afford us the opening through which to win over ourselves, to destroy the seeds of our own desire to cause harm, to resent others, and to hate. To be grateful toward one who has hurt us, I think, implies, and requires, a great deal of forgiveness.

To me Strength is finding my inner peace even when I'm provoked to loose my temper, to agree to agree that what is truth even if that might hurt my ego or make me question myself with disbelief. I find strength in my emotions when I let it flow with the tears or in letting myself be in crossroads of questions. I forgive myself when I do wrong and forgive others too. I forgive because I cant disharmonize my inner balance or let my spiritual wisdom be replaced by guilt, anger or any other negative emotions.
I forgive because I can! --Prerana

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~ EMPATHY ~

7/10/2016

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How is Empathy showing up?

Thank You goes to our wonderful narrator this week
Florentino Taeza Cadorna

Our Mission is to find it... and spread it

Empathy is the mirror at the point of inertia that transforms our pain to love. As we push out into the universe, we know that we are the universe, and more. When love is the driving force of passion.....it conquers all, because it is our nature. Our mission is to find it...and spread it.

One of the latest and most fascinating discoveries in neuroscience is the mirror neuron. The mirror neurons in our brain are literally mirror images of all other neurons. Their function is to allow the observer an empathetic connection to the observed. These neurons are also used in developmental stages to install learned behavior through mimicry. We are in a most crucial time for humanity as a whole. It's time to go from survive to thrive. Let's flip the switch to awaken and use these precious mirror neurons for empathy. Through empathy we gain understanding, which leads to less fear and judgment of each other, which leads to unity. If we push everyone up, we have nowhere to go but with them. Thrive.~ Sarma Katemillion

Is it Logical? Conscious? Responsive?

If the eyes are the gateway...

If the eyes are the gateway to the soul then the hands are the pathway to the heart. You see my entire life I never really understood why I "cared" so much. My mother use to tell me I need to protect my heart more. She use to say I wore it on my sleeve. In my mind I always thought that the only one that can hurt me is me. Being a teenager and feeling everything around me use to scare the hell out of me. Just as a child can give practically anything a soul by using their imagination, we too can bring others to life with our light and love.

It is hard to understand that we are both the individual and the whole at the same time. However understanding that white implies black, self implies other and hot creates cold gives us the opportunity to find a balance. You see we create this world as we observe it. Although we came out of this world we are surely not of this world. Those who truly are empathetic know this to be true. Most lack the knowledge and understanding to free themselves of the self imposed chains society embedded in our subconsciousness. Just as light always takes the path of least resistance at times we can choose the easy way for the sake of convenience. The difference with light is the way it knows the path of least resistance is by taking EVERY possible path.

So if we seek truth as we seek air, not focused on it but surely attaining it, then we might understand the truth of truths. What we choose to believe is what becomes true to us & since our reality is all that is we must be careful of what others accept as truth. So I mind you to be aware and have empathy for those who are extra sensitive to this outside world. For some know in their heart of hearts they are not from here. Surly we all came from the same place and there we shall return. The only question is will you continue to move forward and continuously grow your soul to be perfect like our father is perfect? ~ Mike O'Neill

What about Empathy Boundaries?

EMPATHY: When is "truth" a lie?

Using Empathy to Promote Unity

The virtue of Empathy is the experience of reading, with all six senses (intuition being the sixth and most important) another’s person's pain, joy, insecurities, and overall condition from their own perspective. It is having the ability to engage that perspective within oneself like it is one’s own. It is centered more around listening “intently” to others, without comparison or judgment of any kind, rather than speaking or telling them who you “think” they are such as what psychics or fortune tellers do.

The concept and practice of Empathy includes no other action other than listening, reading, feeling, and learning to identify what empowers another. Empathy’s counterproductive vice is judgmental indifference. In other words, one is incapable of engaging empathy and judgmental indifference simultaneously. It is either one or the other, period. Contemporary culture often appears to be socializing people into becoming more individualistic or self-centered rather than empathetic and unified. However scientific research has discovered and documented as valid the existence of "mirror neurons”, which react to emotions expressed by others allowing the empathetic listener a mirrored experience, if that listener accepts that experience without injecting their own personal feelings.

Experiencing empathy requires directing our awareness to a place that our mind does not go of its own accord-to what it feels like to be another person-lingering there for a moment to register that person’s emotional and cognitive landscape, and then returning to our own reality. Empathy comes more naturally to some than it does to others. However, by taking time to truly paint a picture of what it is like for the other person, without judging which is counterproductive to the empathetic process, and imagine ourselves in their place, feeling what they feel, we gain valuable insight and forge deeper connections to everyone in our midst, and at the same time we strengthen, through our example, the truth that authentic love is always “unconditional”, and BOOM, the best case for promoting unity of all people has risen. ~ Randall Corley

Art by Violet Ange

~ Care for the Caring ~

Empathy is a compass. It is what holds us to our senses and animate the trigger point where mirror neurons drive the mass, to mobilize the machine we have learned is "me". I however, and you too, are so much more than that. Empathy is our Angel I have walked beside mine all my life. For me, she sits in my solar-plexus and is infinitely connected to Source and every single chakra that makes me, ME.

Empathy has the power to take me to the heights of divinity and she drags me to the pits of hell if I let her. Not only do I do this with and to ourself, we take it on from others too. We are not taught about EMPATHS OR NARCISSISTS, nor are we taught about the importance of setting clear boundaries. With Empathy at the helm, I protect my time & energy, my heart and All my Relations. I honour my spirit and serve the Divine unity within me. That's my holy grail - to be in direct service with my Soul, for the Soul.

Our Central Nervous System might be what enables empathy to travel along our trajectory of infinite possibilities. It is here where we can open our radar for listening. For empaths, you will feel what I feel. When I communicate my love through the spirit of language, you will sense it’s purity. Learn to trust that. Empathy metabolizes (for lack of better word) differently for each of us. It fascinates me, how life experience impacts & manifests inward/outward vibration/emotion, and all that happens empathically.

The rub for me is that we have always been who we have been waiting for ~ we have been empathically distracted by all the pretty people & flashy things that our bodies habitually desire - we are waking to the Soul that exists within us. It’s never too late to open the door and there is no missing out. You see, our potential begins right here, right NOW whenever that is for you. Empathetic to our own journey first, learn to listen with your empathy, in the purity of the high heart, where the compass points to unity as body, mind & spirit learn to become One. <3 ~ Barbara

Image contributed by Violet

HUMAN POWERED

From the wound, the bruise, the scars, the blows of life's harsh lashes.
Like the phoenix rising from the ashes.

Heals the heart that knows the balm of mercy,
true power of empathy against adversity.

In the hand that takes the hand of reprobate,
is the wisdom that to forgive begins the end of hate.

Within the mind that leaves behind its enemy images,
dawns a light releasing us from shadow cages.

On the tongue that speaks no lie and knows no evil,
dwells the truth we are all One, we are all equal.

Power in the hand of every healer.
Power in the prayer of humble kneeler.
Power in the courage of dominion breaker.
Power in the hearts of each peace maker.

Know yourself in each and every other,
beyond all right and wrong sister and brother.
No gain in victory, illusion's clever ploy,
divide and conquer is but hollow joy.

The freeing truth, the peace that never dies within your heart, my heart,
my soul within yours lies your blood, my veins, your pulse in mine so strong
our bodies cosmic dust, the wheeling stars our song, we share the air,
our pain the same, my love your love in me you are Beloved, you are the One,
We are each other's prison key.

Be still and know that You are God and We are free.

by Violet Ange

EMPATHY is NOT Sympathy

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WONDER

6/30/2016

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Nothing Short of Intoxicating

“Wonder” rises within us when one or more of our senses suddenly encounter a surprise event, triggering feelings of joyful amazement that is so profound it is difficult to put into words. Often surprise encounters such as this result from larger processes that are too complex for us to envision before we are treated to the result. We simply respond with awe and wonder.

For example, “rain” is often referred to as a “Wonder of Nature”. Most people tend to enjoy a rain shower for how it is perceived by our peripheral senses; the way it sounds as it falls in a puddle, the sensual feeling of droplets meeting bare skin, the array of visual treats it provides, such as a downpour on one side of the street while the other remains perfectly dry, and what about those magnificent rainbows?!

Living in the Desert Southwest USA, where it rains only about 25-30 times per year, the smell of moisture meeting dry desert air is nothing short of intoxicating. It is not uncommon for us to see 100 days in a row of nothing but sunny, warm, and very low dew points until monsoon season arrives abruptly mid July and often sub-zero humidity levels rise in the blink of an eye completely transforming the desert floor, over night, from hues of brown and dark yellow to vibrant, lush green. And yes, over night, no exaggeration here. Wild creosote is the quickest to respond by throwing up hoards of tiny bright yellow flowers that dot the desert floor and mountain sides.

f you have ever smelled freshly watered creosote, it is the sweetest, most alluring fragrance that permeates the entire valley and forever leaves me in a state of wonder, awe, and amazement.
~ Randall Corley

When you remember...

I wonder. I wonder, oh do I wonder, while I stare in beauty and awe. This world is such a beautiful place if only we took the time to find the wonder in our own silence. How lucky we are to call this beautiful world our home.

Through the eyes as of a child the awe is infinite. If only we allowed ourselves to drop the wall of judgement than we can experience that wonder all the time. For when you remember what you are here to explore, only than can you appreciate the fact that the act of looking is what gives you something to see.

We are here to observe, so observe we shall. My advice to you would be to wonder, oh wonder oh my you wonder while you appreciate this beauty and awe. ~Mike

SEEING SOUND

I Wonder

If it was not for Wonder, I would be dead. Or would I? I often wonder this. I wonder about my day as I wander in the depths of my senses and knowledge. If it was not for being able to wonder I surely would be lost. Or would I? I wonder would we learn anything new and evolve if one did not wonder about one’s own existence.

Wonder is one of the best experiences one can have. With help from any of its friends, Who, What, Where, Why, When and of course How, many things can be achieved. When a connection is created by any of these friendships, a close relative, Gratefulness is welcomed by Wonder every single time. It’s a beautiful world we live in, with such close pals to go on journeys with.

Not even needing to leave the house! You can be anywhere and create fantastic things within you. These creations live in the house of Manifestation on the road to Now. I wonder how you’re feeling right now, and what you’re thinking. I wonder why I’m curious to know, and where will these thoughts lead me to next. I wonder who we will become as we continue to wonder about our experiences.

I wonder when there will be holidays to appreciate such powerful abilities of the mind. Wonder is the brush that dips into the colors of questions, and brings life to our museum of thoughts. I wonder what giant masterpieces we could create together.
~ Elliott Alan L. Dunn

WONDER NO MORE

Expressions of Wonder

The word wonder can express many things. Whether it be awe, doubt, or speculating curiously. In the end, it's up to whoever is perceiving. So let this conception share it's individual message of the description wonder is expressed in.

Wonder takes place in all that life shares. Shown through the good and bad objectives. Can one not contemplate the destruction that consists within their life?

Or even ponder the moment that gave all one could wish for? The act of wondering opens the mind to all the potential one moment can bring. Allowing the chance to experience more than one opportunity.

That could come from the things which brought this wondering. Wonder brings a chance to open one's mind to the limitless possibilities of each moment that we perceive.

~ Joshua Morace

Wonder infused learning

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We CARE ~ We SHARE ~ We GROW

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forGIVEness

6/24/2016

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Virtue of the Week

Narrated by Elliott

The Courage to SEE

When I think about forgiveness I tend to allow my mind to find peace. When another soul gives me any opportunity to grow through resistance I leave it upon myself to forgive. One of the hardest things to do in this world is to forgive yourself for those things you cannot control!

Throughout the years I allowed the guilt anxiety and stress to pile up through non-forgiveness. In watching myself and my emotions I can identify that which needs to be forgiven. However without unconditional love true forgiveness seems to fall to the wayside.

So in summary looking at the world through the eyes of a forgiving person allows us to turn resistance into clarity. In the end I just hope I can find it in my heart to forgive the most important person who's looking back at me in the mirror! ~Mike Pass

HOW BEAUTIFUL

Forgiveness is the discipline needed to make soul light as a feather. Forgiving another when they are not sorry is hard for our EGO. Forgiveness will allow your soul to be cleansed of whatever event or mishap occurred. Without cleansing of our soul it becomes heavy with negative particles charged by thought. Then the law of attraction sets in and creates a lesson or Karma.

These lessons are not necessary if we can forgive and let go. Forgiveness is not a free pass to go against spirit knowing you can just forgive yourself. True forgiveness is the lesson, and without correction based on that lesson then forgiveness is really just excuse. Honoring our spirit through intention with love is achievable by virtues. Forgiveness is an opportunity to initiate spiritual growth... how beautiful. ~Sarah Kate

Relearning Forgiveness

Farewell to the fight

"Look to the horizon for forgiveness & hope"

Marianne Williamson

Brene Brown

Hell ~ Forgiveness ~ Heaven

The truth is that for reasons I can only partially comprehend, life is cruel for some and not for others. Because of every injustice, every drama created to control & manipulate and every devious, evil or horrible thing, I believe we are living in either Hell or Heaven here on earth. It's our free will and ego/spirit union that is SUPPOSE to keep equilibrium, and constantly sustain balance!

What would I do differently if I knew that Heaven was simply a state of mind? What if that state of mind was an imprinted reflection of our environment, our beliefs and our free will? What if Heaven is a state of happiness conjured up and despite a life of happiness or misery & despair, what if the bridge between the two is a shift in consciousness? The "what if" game can be a slippery slope but it's awesome to use it to dig into the details to dive under and find a deeper truth.

This week I have worked mindfully through the virtue of Forgiveness on a very personal level, dissolving about 10 layers of societal, historical, fresh wounds and residual trauma - all part of what is being released at this time. So much came to me this week that I had to literally crawl right up inside it and get clear about where the boundaries lay between my stuff and other peoples'. So, I made mudpies for awhile and when no one joined me in the puddle, I decided to unpack what was really going on - with me. I was able to get clear enough to see a life pattern within the issues that were stemming from the same root, repeating in my life.

Now, I have ran around this track enough times to know that I had to get to the heart of the matter to determine what's really going on. It was there that I could even come close to a place of forgiveness. When an injustice is served, it's important to me, to come to a clear and mutual resolution. But this time things were very different and in a couple of the cases, traditional resolution was not yet possible. This put me in a very different emotional place but THE GIFT IN MY TEACHABLE MOMENT IS in seeing that it is preparing me for something yet to come.

I learned how important it is to get to a place of forgiving an injustice when communication has been severed; when the issue is not treated as being important to address. I learned that it is re-traumatizing each & every time someone who has been victimized is asked or made to ask for justice or fight for their right. When a victim is held accountable for their reactive/responsive behavior, each time this happens, another wound is created.

We are actually born sensitive to justice and forgiveness. It begins as a core virtue for all of us. Children are quick to notice injustices and even quicker to get over it completely, so how does it all go so wrong? But more to my point, what does it mean to me?

My teachable moment part of my story is that I sit on a Trauma-Healing Committee. We are currently designing a training curriculum for 'workers/volunteers' of disaster trauma response teams. The Five Strategies of The Virtues Project provide necessary tools to teach others to "hold sacred space". Sacred space can be held not only to pray and celebrate the spirit of creation but also for clearing & healing humanity.

The strategies are used in palliative end of life care, healing circles and life coaching as well as family, educational, justice & social service institutions. Forgiveness is part of what it takes for our virtues to shine.

I won't thank what happened this week but I am grateful for my own process. Not only do I have new perspective & understanding to take into my committee work now, but I am grateful for my own ability to move through the trauma to get to a place of forgiveness. It helps me & others get back to mud pie. ~Barbara

A quote by OSHO

"The word devil and the word divine have the same roots"

For GOODNESS sake

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GRACE

6/17/2016

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Seeing the Bigger Picture

Art by Prerana

Art by Violet Ange

If you spent your entire life seeking Grace it would not be a wasted one. You see when striving for anything in life you will always come across obstacles. One of the main ways to overcome these obstacles is to remain patient, at peace with both yourself and the resistance. It took me a long time to look at any external resistance as an opportunity for internal growth. Not until later in my life did I understand that approaching situations with Grace allows me to see the bigger picture.

Approaching situations with Grace gives me the ability to think about which path is the correct one. You will always come to a fork in the road but it's only when you approach each fork with patience, persistence and Grace will you overcome the real obstacles stopping you from living your dream. ~ Mike

What exactly is grace?

What is more comforting than friends, more attentive than a lover, more healing than good health, more awe-inspiring than the most beautiful music, more precious than diamonds, more brilliant than sunlight and more joyful than happiness? For many people, it is grace. But what exactly is grace?

Grace is the spiritual freedom that arises when you realize that life is a gift. From this awareness you seek to live in harmony with the power that creates the cosmos. From this friendship arises a profound feeling of happiness as well as spiritual, emotional and mental freedom. For years, I have sought to find a simple, elegant definition for grace. Like breathing, which is a process of inhalation, exchanging gases and exhalation, grace is a process of Awakening, experiencing Bliss and Creating with Compassion. Grace is Awakening - Grace is awakening to the natural order of the universe.

This awakening allows you to understand, appreciate, and accept reality rather than clinging to illusions. Awakening to reality creates cognitive harmony, in which everything makes sense, as opposed to cognitive dissonance, in which conflicting world views collide. Grace is a prolonged "ah-ha" moment. Grace is Authenticity - If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. Grace is Balance - When you are in balance, you are in grace. This balance is dynamic equilibrium rather than a steady state. Often, this balance seems a paradox: joy and sorrow, fear and love, give and take, dark and light, yin and yang. Grace is Bliss - Grace is a state of being that feels like serene happiness, the ecstasy of salvation, and spiritual joy.

Being in grace feels like bliss. Grace is Born Again - For many, the experience of grace feels like one is born again. One is born again when fear, anger and cynicism die and hope, faith, and charity are born. To be born again is to be born into the realization that the power that creates the universe (Nature, God) supports you and that if you align with these forces, you can co-create a life of abundance and joy.

~ Prerana Chakraborty

Art by Elliott

Art by Prerana

Art by Elliott

Art by Prerana

Turning of Signs & Signs of Turning

*tissue alert

Our Saving Grace: E=Mcg2

Art by Barbara

I bet we'll discover that
we've always had wings.
~ Barbara Mackenzie

Art by Matt

I have clear memories of being too young to understand the consoling thoughts in my own mind. I wondered about the source but I was comforted. I truly believe that Grace has been right here with me.

It's omnipresent and omnipotent - I believe that it must be one and the same energy that we know to run through our meridians, filtered by our chakras. Grace is the physical manifestation of that omnipresent force that we believe to be our Creator. It's pure trust and speculation on my part based on my experience of the animating force that I have had within me all my life. I have often wondered if Grace is the sum of all of my parts. I believe it's my reflective expression of the Divine. Our Grace can be so clear and so strong that it becomes our presence. It is the purest manifestation of Soul.

When we learn and understand how to integrate and grow in our virtues, we'll see how the evolution of Grace is relative to matter and energy which delivers to the beneficiary, all the best vibes. ~Barbara

Grace and the Revolution of Consciousness

Grace is such a beautiful word. I’ve always loved it. It’s pretty to look at, especially in script. It has a pleasing sibilance on the tongue. And it has a number of lovely meanings. If I’d had a daughter I would have called her Grace.

Moving through time and space with poise, presence and a focus within the moment is what physical grace means to me, like an elegant ballet dancer, placing all her weight ‘en point’. This requires hours of dedicated practice and commitment to achieve. Moving through life with a sensitivity to that which is around you, interacting with everything on your path in an exquisite ever changing dance, is a graceful choice that requires the same commitment. It’s a pleasing and magnetic way to be compared to stumbling through life, lashing out blindly and blundering into things. Like ballet, though, it can look effortless to those not in the know about the rigour required.

Spiritual Grace is often referred to as the mercy granted from the Divine to the undeserving. A kind of get out of jail free card, no karma payment required. This definition doesn’t please me so much. It implies an unworthiness or a sin that I do not believe in. I do, however, believe in ignorance. I believe in a kind of soul sleep or unconsciousness. Sin isn’t a word that resonates for me, despite the horrors the world reveals on repeat. I know mine isn’t always a popular opinion, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Art by Elliot

Art by Violet

I prefer the idea of a spiritual grace that is more of an invitation from the Divine to remember our true nature as Love, and our Oneness with all things. I believe this Grace only requires the smallest willingness from us to concede ego to Spirit, to open the door even if only a crack. A crack that allows the Light to illuminate all that isn’t Love, revealing the insubstantiality of the shadows we believe to be to be so threatening.

Art by Violet

This small act of our will to align with the Higher Will of God/Goddess can collapse time, the years that might have been necessary to fulfil karma, and create instant miracles in the twinkling of an eye. A soul awakens, a terminal illness heals, a closed heart blossoms under the influence of unconditional love for the first time and this ardour remains fervent throughout their life, a life that also touches others with the same springtime awakening that then creates a domino effect in a revolution of consciousness. The Course in Miracles calls this ‘the Holy Instant’. And that’s all it takes. One instant of surrender, one small yes, one slight turning toward the light and away from the dark, and miracles become natural everyday events.

Grace is such a beautiful word.

~ Violet

Hold on <3 trust Grace to lead us home

Coexisting

Art by Prateek

The interaction of daily life flows with such grace. Each moment bringing their own beauty. Whether it be the shimmering star that winked just for you. Or the stop light that turned red right after you passed it. Do you notice how each even coincidentally pertains to your perspective? Maybe how many experiences morals are just confirming your conclusion forthcoming? Ah the grace of the machine we call life. Sit back and watch time unfold to that grand scene we know as continuance. For beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The grace is found within you, coexisting with life as you know it.
~ Joshua

Qingauiit by Tudjaat

"It's an Inuit song about a man who is cold, but finds warmth. Grace is warmth." ~ Raven's Sacred Voice

Our Passionate Contributors

Current Virtue of the Week

What does it mean to sacrifice in order to forgive?

Art by Barbara

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HUMILITY

6/9/2016

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When I think of humility ...

... I think of finding peace.

As I reflect upon the strength in the Silence of my heart I can't help but to be humble. I realize the power in Grace and because of this I can just be. Humility allows me to see others as I see myself for the impulse is strong but the spirit is stronger. It is so easy to get caught in ego but yet there is simple beauty in being humble. For is it not true that we all have the power in us?

~ Mike

Art by Prerana

Art by Violet

Making the World a Better Place

Art by Violet

Art by Matt

Art by Violet

Humility is the quality of being courteous and respectful of others while tending our own needs. Rather than incessantly saying “me first”, this virtues strength enables you to silence your pride and say, “you first.” Humility’s vice and polar opposite is negative pride.

Courtesy, patience and respect are qualities associated with humility. Some consider humility as a problem that interferes with “success.” We always fare much better if we focus on working to correct our own faults rather than criticizing others for theirs. No one “makes” us angry. We alone are responsible for our reactions people, situations and events that we encounter. Expressing anger tends to prolong and reinforce it. Angry words and actions are much more likely to escalate toward hostility and halt open communication rather than working with others to solve problems. Holding a grudge can easily consume one with resentment and prevent them from enjoying a life of peace. A grudge can destroy the grudge-holder with bitterness and revenge fuels hostility. Responding to anger with empathy and love is the most effective solution for dousing anger’s fire. It also creates an opportunity to halt the cycle where even a perceived enemy can become a friend. Through humility, we acknowledge that we are here because of efforts of a greater good that came before us. Now it is we who are responsible to look out for the greater good to ensure that it survives for future generations to come.

Actions inevitably speak louder than words. Still, animosities may be cloaked under the guise of tolerance to make one appear less judgmental and more fitting in social situations. The best protection from falsehoods and hidden negative, ulterior motives is to practice awareness, and empathy toward others to grow in wisdom and have faith in ourselves to reason through conflicts. The most effective buffer against life’s conflicting ideas, desires, motivations, and agendas is humility. With greater humility, we empower ourselves to rise above pettiness and negative pride and proactively face the disappointments of everyday life. Humility frees us from emptiness that results from constantly seeking attention, approval, wealth, power, notoriety and status. Unfortunately, many people fail to choose the way of humility for reasons of insecurity, low self-esteem, and failure to love one’s self “unconditionally” which is a prerequisite for loving others. However, anyone who seeks to understand humility’s real meaning and chooses to walk in its truth makes the world a little bit better and inevitably realizes tremendous, personal fulfillment along the way.

~ Randall Corley

Randall's: Humility Affirmations

“I give freely without expectation!”
“I not only seek for my benefit, but others as well!”
“I desire to please others!”
“I choose to accept the importance of every individual without fail!”
“I am humbled and excited about myself and all of life at the same time!”
“I choose to love life and myself without comparison to others!”
“There is no one better or worse than I am!”
“I love myself just as I am!”
“I condemn in others, what I fear within myself!”
“I choose to love others because they are no more and no less than another me!”

What encourages your HUMILITY?

A Spirit of Oneness

Art by Sarah

Humility is integral to a healthy perception. We can perceive the universe however we want, but there are times when our experiences bring sorrow and grief. With humility we can recognize when to let go and grow instead of proceeding with stubbornness. Humility allows us to see growth in all our endeavors and never failure. Humility leads us into the understanding that all humanity is connected and importance is assigned to all. Humility gives us gratitude for opportunity. Life is the opportunity to strengthen our spirit, humility honors that spirit...the spirit of oneness.

~ Sarah Kate Hicks

"As my consciousness stands before the masters space, time, and matter. Humility is all that could ever describe the feelings from within. Be humble for all life gives and you shall never be swallowed by greed." ~ Joshua

Art by Sarah

Warning: this video will make you think!!

My Humble Opinion and comment to this video ~Barbara Mackenzie

"I am so confident in who I AM and the gifts I bring that I ask you instead to consider this**. Humility is so much more than you've beautifully and wonderfully articulated. I agree with everything you said and love you for speaking what I had no words for and while I see your clarity, I also realize there are always other views, levels, realms and paradigms that we have no perception of. Grace itself intertwines with us and we are weaved into the universe. The expansive side of our divinity is ours to hold and it is our free will. We are in our heads and in our hearts and also in our guts. We hold humility to anchor the side of us that manifests as ego. To suggest that humility is not a virtue and should be denied, actually denies the possibility that there is more to know. Here is what I have come to believe... that humility is connected to our free will and is actually an anchor that tethers us, mind, body & soul. **If we abandon ego we risk loosing ourselves to spirit. We have already abandoned spirit and are trying to pull ourselves back to balance now. Humility ensures that we "live in the world but not of it." June 8, 2016

Helping to manage peaks & valleys

Humility is an essence at the midpoint of our will, much like mercury in a thermometer.

I believe we will discover that our presence is important to the health of all around us and that we are affect/effect/infected by the climate of our environment too.

When we are in the presence of someone with true humility, the room fills in their grace. You can feel it too when you are with someone who lacks humility.

In the same way, when service is given with humility as an act of the heart and an expression of humanity, the quality of care is experienced by everyone. This alchemy is inspiring wellness. So too, when arrogance or a sense of entitlement is involved. This alchemy is despiring wellness.

When out of integrity with what we know to be right, it's our humility that bridges us to the rest of the balancing virtues to help us do the right thing.

~ Barbara Mackenzie

Art by Barbara

How is ‪#humility‬ helping bridge the peaks & valleys of your life?

Art by Matt

Irony: "Look, I'm being humble"

Our Family Contributions

Thank You for liking, sharing & commenting

How we affect our life and the world is what & how we bring to the view.
Notice the evidence of the virtue in your life. Thanks to Mikes 100% determination for this series. A mix of humility & excellence, woven with so much beauty, integrity, mindfulness, love, caring. What a gift for all!

We would like to acknowledge the sheer awesomeness of the people so far reading in this series: the more to get involved, the more brilliant it becomes. We love how grace is unfolding within our own hands & look forward to seeing who'll be reading the virtues coming up.

We will be Forever connected to this gift which quite literally would not be possible without the pure Grace of Linda Kavelin-Popov, author of the deck of 100 Virtues Reflection cards, The Virtues Project body of work, The Family Virtues Guide, The Educators Guide, Sacred Moments, A Pace of Grace, Graceful Endings and soon to be released, A Scent of Sage.

To the Voices of this Series:

We love the generosity of spirit behind each awesome voice. Thank You.

In joy, Barbara, Virtues Project Master Facilitator '06

c/o synergyetc.ca THANKS to (c) Virtues Project International Association

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Perceptive | Perception | Perspective

6/3/2016

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Everywhere you look

Mike Pass
Perceptiveness gives us the ability to look at our own vantage point of this beautiful universe. If only we could respect others perception of the universe as valid and unique so we might come to better understand our own.

As we look outward at the world its beauty is self evident. Everywhere you look there is something alive on this planet. In one way or another life always finds a way. What I have learned on my own spiritual path so far is how we perceive the world does not have to be what the world is. I have come to learn there is always way more going on than appears at the surface level.

I like to believe that "God" has the ultimate perception, which would be the sum of all vibrations in this universe. That is to say the culmination of all perceptions gives rise to what I believe to be the "collective consciousnesses" of all the living and "non living" energy.

After all, at the base of every piece of matter is a vibration of energy holding it all together at the core. Therefore if we were to remove our observation of this universe we would become the entire universe. Which is exactly why in the double slit experiment is is proven that light takes on both properties of waves and particles. Waves when we are not looking and particles when we are. That is to say our observation of the universe puts it into a fixed position in time and space.

So my advice to you is allow yourself to be the observer & perceive without judgement. For when you master that art you become one with all that is and allow yourself to find the peace in your own constant vibration of energy.

Art by Prerana

Art by Sharky

Art by Prateek

Art by Matt

Perceiving light & shadow

Perceptiveness:

Raven Sacred Voice
Latin root, "precipere," from "per" meaning "thoroughly" and "capere," meaning "to grasp." Perceptiveness is the ability to "grasp" things mentally.

It means to understand things, but also to be aware...to be able to thoroughly grasp something by noticing it...in a single moment a warrior of keen senses may "perceive" the sneak attack right before a hidden enemy strikes, and by virtue of his perceptiveness, save his own life. But his perceptiveness may also allow him to think very deeply, and "thoroughly grasp" the sanctity of life.

In the NOW

Sarah Kate Hicks
Perceptiveness is having keen insight or understanding. To me, this requires one to focus their consciousness into the external world or the NOW. In order to properly collect information we must have our consciousness where the information is coming from. So often our own thoughts distract us from the NOW, and our consciousness resides in our minds. In doing this, we are only collecting the data our sensory instruments pick up on. Then that data is reported to our consciousness via thought or EGO. How could a voice in our mind be the best choice when it's only using a fragment of what data is available? To train consciousness to be in the NOW is true perceptiveness. Thought can be used to analyze after information is collected, not used to report information to. This is a common practice that creates misunderstanding and conflict. We begin to perceive our external world from a voice we created that reports the information however it wants. When true perceptiveness is a part of our being, we don't need to waste time on confusing thoughts. The understanding and insight are just there.

Prerana's Pick

Violet Ange
In our current shared reality we continuously co-create an illusion sustained by the energy of fear in all its various guises. In this polarised world view we perceive ourselves to be separate in a duality that encompasses male/female, good/bad, right/wrong, beautiful/ugly, worthy/unworthy, deserving/undeserving, able, disabled, sinner/saved and so on. Our perception here is distorted by the warping lens of ego, a false self -image that by its very nature, one founded in isolation and disconnection from each other and a benevolent and loving Source, perceives itself to be frighteningly alone, continuously under attack and desperately seeking outside itself for sustenance. The ego perceives the Other, the Enemy, the unacceptably different and creates hierarchies of value based on our collective agreements around such things as profit, resources, loss, gain, possession and power. To sustain the egoic gaze which in turn sustains this illusion is a form of insanity. True separation from Source and our One nature is an impossibility and requires an enormous amount of continuous energy fed by fear to maintain it. Our true nature, based in love and the understanding of the Oneness of all of Creation and the interdependence of the web of life in physicality, perceives one eternal being playing a virtual reality game of hide and seek with Itself. To awaken from our mutual nightmare we only need choose the lens of love as our tool of perception. When we can see with the heart we perceive the truth of our one loving identity engaged in a dance within density. A spiralling dance ever looping us back toward the Source of All from whence we came. If we desire to quicken this journey we can choose to habitually see the Love behind the illusion that resides at the heart of everything. Every time we choose love over fear, choose to perceive the good within bad, the gift within the lesson, the beauty within the broken, the beloved within the enemy and ourselves in each other, we strengthen our perceptive abilities to see the truth and only the truth, until the time when all we will perceive are the pulsating radiant lines of light connecting creation and the unity within this diversity, and everything we look upon will be looking back at us with love.

An Infinite Spectrum of Potential

Barbara Mackenzie
AT the core of the universe is a fundamental belief that everything is love and I claim this truth too. I have been an energy healer since '85 and have developed a profound trust based on my experience. I see us as a multilayered organism designed to filter our experience through our chakras, ending in the love center to store the day's yield.

I see perceptiveness as a lens that, like all virtues, has an infinite spectrum of potential.

The experience of our lives is echo'd by love and the alchemy of who we are happens in each moment. My perceptiveness seems like a valve, both a filter and a meter working in tandem with other virtues like tact, empathy, courage etc. So in this way, perceptiveness helps me to interrupt, interpret and interact within my own quantum psychoneurobiology very little of which would happen in awareness.

If everything we do comes from either Love or Fear then for me, Perceptiveness is the lens that allows me to see into what's really going on. Mindful perception is something that requires experience to recognize, challenge and interpret the shadows and celebrations of life. We must be open to perceptiveness but also be mindful that we are clear and true.

Powerful words are so because of the laws of intention and especially at this stage in the paradigm shift. At this time in my life, I AM fine-tuning thoughts and ideas to reflect my desire to be of service, from a place of purity. The act of perceiving this experience, brings the universe into alignment which delivers opportunities for me to see exactly where my perceptiveness has lead me and what allows me to trust these virtues to the point that I will find & follow them to find the gifts that "perceptiveness" leads me to.

Art by Barbara

Art by Matt ~ Photo by Paul

The ART & Gifts of Seeing differently

This Week's Family Contributions

Seeing other thoughts in Memes

WE CARE ~ WE SHARE ~ WE GROW

Our Virtue of the Week

This series is amazing! Thank You for liking, sharing, commenting & for showing us how you perceive the virtue showing up, in life... the world. :)
Mike 100% determination to this series with humility & excellence, weaving so much beauty, integrity, mindfulness, love, caring, etc virtues.

We would like to acknowledge the sheer awesomeness of the people so far reading in this series: the more that get involved, the more brilliant it becomes. We just love how the universe is unfolding within our own hands & look forward to seeing who'll be reading the virtues coming up.

Thank You so much for your Awesomeness everyone. Forever connected through this incredible generous gift to humanity. Special thanks goes to Linda Kavelin-Popov, author of the cards & The Virtues Project.

In joy, Barbara, Virtues Project Master Facilitator '06

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_COURAGE_

5/27/2016

1 Comment

Courage is one of those BIG words...

VIOLET ANGE

Courage is one of those big words that conjures up images of great deeds and amazing feats performed by heroic women and men overcoming enormous odds. The kind of people that blaze trails and climb mountains with a glint in their eye, a knife between their teeth and a firm set to their square jaw. To me, however, courage is a quiet and steadfast ability to show up in one’s life in a conscious way. To be present with whatever is occurring in the moment, day in, day out, moment after moment, being with whatever is happening by allowing, accepting, embracing and having gratitude for all of it- the good, the bad and the ugly, though I tend to call it all good. All good because when we surrender to what is by not wishing it away, by not hiding in a drink, a drug, or whatever the distraction of our choice is, we can then be open to the gift of each moment. A gift from within the depths of our soul, one that is always gently, and sometimes not so gently, depending on our ability to pay attention, guiding us to what is our highest good and the highest good for all.

Art by Matt

Now, this is not glamorous, it is not sexy or fashionable and it is not always fun. We may never be noticed, we may never look heroic. There probably won’t be any statues of us in the town square showing off our square determined jaw and our warrior stance in the face of peril, and that is the truth of courage. It is a gift for us and us alone to use in a life lived fully and consciously in alignment with our soul’s path. It is not a badge of honour for a select few, it is not our name in an elite roll call of extraordinary people. It is instead, the loving mother rising wearily at 3am to tend to a sick child’s moans. It is the father coming home late, cold and hungry and depleted from two jobs that allows his family to eat, to be sheltered, to be warm. It is the friend that answers the desperate call for help at midnight and goes into action. It is you and I whenever we stand in our truth despite the fear that might cause in the face of hostility. It is you and I, alone and unseen, authentically showing up in each moment to embrace our life as fully as we can.
-Violet Ange

From the Heart

~ Raven's Sacred Voice
"Courage" comes from the Latin word "CORATICUM," which roughly means "A thing that is of or pertaining to the heart." "Coraticum" in turn, comes from the Latin root word "Cor/cordis," meaning "heart" (notice that the modern English word "core," which basically means the center or middle of something, comes from the Latin word "Cor"). Variations of linguistic descendants of the Latin roots have been used in various modern languages to refer to such things as courage, fortitude, bravery, strength, faith, determination, passion, et cetera, because this reflects an ancient universal understanding held by these various cultures that these virtues are coratici (if my Latin is not too rusty, "coratici" is the Latin plural form of "coraticum"), i.e. "things of the heart."

Art by Matt

EX CORDE, ANIMO
"From the heart, courage."
- Raven's Sacred Voice -

An Important Part of a Fulfilling Life

Art by Matt

Tristan Trip Shroeder

Art by Matt

~ Randall Corley

There’s no arguing that life can be very difficult at times. That’s why courage is such an important part of a fulfilling life. When you have courage, you are able to propel yourself forward, even when things go wrong or your journey becomes difficult. This is an attribute that will not only help you get the job done, but also give you fuel to put in extra effort and keep your sights high.

The amount of courage you possess affects every imaginable aspect of your life. If you feel you lack courage, confidence is something you will want to work on straight up. It might appear that some people are simply born confident, but keep in mind that the human mind is a wonderful tool that is also quite changeable.

With little effort, courage is a trait that once put in practice will grow into a daily habit that soon becomes a natural part of your personality. People will enjoy your company more as well, once you have gained greater self-confidence. Courage itself may seem like a single trait, but in order to fully understand its implications, it helps to break it down into several sub-strengths all of which deserve close, individual attention. You may have a decent amount of confidence for example, yet still fail to reach your full potential if you lack in one or two of these sub-strengths.

Familiarize yourself with each of these to evaluate exactly where you need improvement. Growth cannot occur if you fail to see its importance. As in developing any strength, journaling your progress will help you stay motivated by pointing out events where you might have been a little too weak and others that you seemed to bulldoze through with seeming ease.

Here are the main strengths of courage:

• assertiveness
• bravery
• determination
• fortitude
• persistence

Art by Prerana

Sarah Kate Hicks
Courage is something which resides deep in our spirit. It is the essential tool needed to propel us through fear, which resides in EGO. Without courage we would never be able to overcome our fears and expand our beings. In my opinion, fear was created within our minds millions of years ago to protect us as individuals. Fear is a protective mechanism designed for survival. Courage is beyond ancient and counteracts fear. If a human wants to break through the boundaries of fear based consciousness, they must have the courage to have faith that everything in this dimension is beautiful and perfect. Fear keeps us separate from each other. Courage helps us through the difficult experience that leads us to the understanding that we are all one.

Art by Matt

<3 Courage to Love <3

The word looks courageous and healing and I trust the medicine I have acquired in my courage and bravery. I know it as represented by spirit of the bear. The mother bear is playful yet strong, facing her fears and learning through challenges while caring for her young. The bear also reflects to us a simple balanced life of rest, survival and joy. The question is, what do you have the courage to sacrifice to bring back the balance?

"BE curious, not furious!" Dr Dan of The Virtues Project says. True courage is humble, honest and wise. True courage is used every day.

Finding the inner strength to face the difficulties of life and developing the courage to be our self is what will help us live our balance. Defend what you believe in and what is right for your community, family and yourself. Act on positive choices and hold conviction in your decisions and know that facing fears allows us to live our life in a whole new way.

We are in a time of huge Awakening and as we shift and grow, we are in a chaotic time. No matter what is happening in your life, let's focus on love. Find any way to love your way through it. It will take courage like you have never known. The kind of courage that you might have to reach deep into your boots to find. It's there and it's yours to pull up like an extra skin -;o) and in essence, it is.

Have courage to shine with 100% pure love & light ~ esp in dark times.

AWAKENING TO THE COURAGE TO LOVE

Meet the Family

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So we asked our family about ego...

...their words were powerful.

"It Became the dominate part of my soul..."

"When re relax we become peaceful."

"...inhibits the growth of common sence."

​

A Power to Grow From

~ Oneness ~

Togetherness

The Greatest Speech Ever Made

﻿My View from Here,

Uniting through Meme Creation

Our Passionate Contributors

**VIRTUE OF THIS WEEK**

*There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so gentle as True Strength*

*Unseen Power of Love Can Open the hearts of men*​

* Strength transforms you both inside and out at ever moment of life*

*Emotional strength involves a person’s ability to deal with challenges*

*Forgiveness is my Strength-I forgive because I can!*

**VIRTUE OF THIS WEEK**

PASSIONATE BLOG CONTRIBUTORS

How is Empathy showing up?

Our Mission is to find it... and spread it

Is it Logical? Conscious? Responsive?

​If the eyes are the gateway...

What about Empathy Boundaries?

EMPATHY: When is "truth" a lie?

Using Empathy to Promote Unity

~ Care for the Caring ~

HUMAN POWERED

EMPATHY is NOT Sympathy

THIS WEEK's VIRTUES PICK

PASSIONATE BLOG CONTRIBUTORS

Nothing Short of Intoxicating

When you remember...

SEEING SOUND

I Wonder

WONDER NO MORE

Expressions of Wonder

Wonder infused learning

Our Passionate Contributors

This Weeks Pick: Strength

We CARE ~ We SHARE ~ We GROW

Virtue of the Week

The Courage to SEE

HOW BEAUTIFUL

Relearning Forgiveness

Farewell to the fight

Marianne Williamson

Brene Brown

Hell ~ Forgiveness ~ Heaven

A quote by OSHO

For GOODNESS sake

Wonderful Memes & their Creations

Contributions by:

Current Virtue of the Week

Seeing the Bigger Picture

What exactly is grace?

Turning of Signs & Signs of Turning

Our Saving Grace: E=Mcg2

Grace and the Revolution of Consciousness

Hold on <3 trust Grace to lead us home

Coexisting

Qingauiit by Tudjaat

Our Passionate Contributors

Current Virtue of the Week

When I think of humility ...

Making the World a Better Place

What encourages your HUMILITY?

A Spirit of Oneness

Warning: this video will make you think!!

Helping to manage peaks & valleys

Our Family Contributions

Thank You for liking, sharing & commenting

Everywhere you look

Perceiving light & shadow

Perceptiveness:

In the NOW

Prerana's Pick

An Infinite Spectrum of Potential

My View from Here,

VIRTUE OF THIS WEEK

There is nothing so strong as gentleness, and there is nothing so gentle as True Strength

Unseen Power of Love Can Open the hearts of men

Emotional strength involves a person’s ability to deal with challenges

Forgiveness is my Strength-I forgive because I can!

VIRTUE OF THIS WEEK

If the eyes are the gateway...