Expansion Encounters - with Dusty
Create & Appreciate… in 2008!

A special thank you to all of you who continue to support Life Now and our ventures!

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You can read archive issues of "Expansion Encounters" at Archives

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With Spring once again showing itself everywhere, I was reminded recently how each year brings new growth. Communication via internet is securing a bond of like-minded thinkers and bringing our world closer and stronger in Love - as a wholesome Oneness. Expanding our communication expands our awareness of ourselves. As we allow our inner selves to be revealed, we can see ourselves for what we are. We are either assured that we are created Whole and Perfect just as we are, within the seed - or we may see some pruning that we desire to mend. Taking time to get acquainted with others via email along with taking time for soul searching as well allows us to share blossoms of growth we have experienced, which might, in turn, offer solutions for others. In turn, we gain from the golden pollen of what others share - if we are willing to let it produce healthy results within.

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Fruitful Results

Kindness given to others
Is simply an extension
Of giving what is within
As a part of self,
It effortlessly radiates
And is absorbed by those
Who need to receive
Kindness.

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Getting Acquainted With Our Attitudes
by Dusty Reed

"If you can't change facts, try bending your attitudes."- By Arthur Gordon - Chicken Soup for the Golden Soul

Are we acquainted with our various attitudes? Do we know where we stand on an issue when someone presents their opinion about something? Do we know why we have certain attitudes?

Each person has a tailored attitude toward life, toward personal happenings. Why then, if we are all following God's Goodness, is there so much human contradiction in how we experience God? As we are in partnership with the God energy, we are creating what we, in the level of our Higher Self, know can bring us to closer communion with God. We are experiencing the awakening through our attitudes, through how we see life.

An attitude is a frame of mind, a disposition we choose, how we feel according to our outlook, our perspective or our judgment of a situation or person.

Isn't there a core, where our attitudes originate, where we can all find agreement?

It seems the spiritual core of Love would be such a place. However, each has his or her own attitude, even about Love, and these vary as well.

The key term there is "own." We like to own our attitudes. We desire to share them but we want others to accept ours, rather than giving our willingness to meld our attitude with theirs and create one of agreement.

Being an idealist, I long to find that core of Oneness, where we can all understand and agree.

Where does an attitude originate? Usually it is from memory of past experiences: something that has happened in our lives or something we have read or heard about from others. Often it sneaks onto center stage without our awareness and we react according to our perception of the current situation. Our action or reaction is a direct effect of our attitude in the moment.

Attitudes can change quickly when something influences any of the senses. Beliefs are more firmly rooted and usually take more time and convincing to be altered.

Is there such a thing as a spiritual attitude? Spiritual here has a different context than holding a religious attitude. Many religions hold the attitude that they will receive salvation while those of other religious faiths will not.

Calling Christians hypocrites is an attitude. Saying any New Age concepts must be avoided is an attitude. If these attitudes are harbored and supported, they become beliefs.

Spiritual attitudes are personal, not just from what we are taught from others. They gain strength from input from others but we still have a choice of what to accept. Because of religious prejudices or fears, youngsters don't always realize they have this choice. It may take years before they ponder what is good for them versus what has been impressed upon them.

Some, even though they may not realize it, have a fear of exploring new spiritual concepts. We build our strong relationship with God on what we consider facts and through our personal faith. This is good for many. It gives our society a wealth of concerned, loving citizens who are willing to offer love and talents in order to serve others.

Some may be rebelling against this fear and are searching for a new way to communicate with God. Often, this new way still comes from a mixture of input from conversations, study and reading. This attitude may create and develop a new path, one that provides comfortable exploring. Depending on our level of self-esteem, we follow the attitude that we are "doing it right" this time.

Are we remaining open to new input? How much is communication with others necessary to develop our attitudes within?

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Revealing
by Dusty Reed

What do we reveal to others about ourselves? Do we show a favorable personality, full of joy?

What traits are within, waiting to be exercised? A list of favorable adjectives can be put to good use.

A list of traits as observed by others can be a helpful tool. Keeping our desired traits in awareness and practicing those we want others to see can offer a healthy exercise.

What talents do we want to bring to our surrounding world? Is there a special enjoyment? Baking bread, playing a musical instrument, painting, public speaking, a craft, visiting with shut-ins, working with flowers or puttering in the garden can provide a wealth of gifts we can offer to others. Developing a talent into a service brings rewards rich beyond measure.

Life is for joy in every moment. Being happy with ourselves comes through giving of ourselves.

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Some sites I recommend:

IS

Chris Rosenthal

Miracles Network

Carol Shireena Sakai, Artist

Phenomenal Women
I had the joy of receiving one of these several years ago so if you have someone special to send a special "good will" seal, you can find many available here.

Thank you Gini! Gini's Universe

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It is my joy to share with you that I continue to add new rose drawings and some photographs available at art.com! You can view them at Dusty's Roses I now have some of my rose drawings at an auction site, Art By Us
And, I have a page with note cards (for sale) with some of my rose drawings. You can check it out by going to Rose Descriptions.
I have been posting nearly all of my drawings that are not displayed elsewhere at Rose Garden I have two galleries there. The other is at Reed's Loft. It has various photographs, other drawings, and notecards available.

My sister-in-spirit, Sunny, has several of her drawings and has added new photos at art.com, too, at Sunny's Art Work

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And, for anyone who enjoys playing at ebay, lots of goodies (records, books & post cards - occasionally some nic nacs) are available at Dusty's eBay

You are welcome to forward this newsletter to friends who might be interested! If they would like to subscribe (at no cost), they can write to me at cascade@mahaska.org (with Expansion Encounters as subject). Thanx muchly!

Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet.

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