Thank you to all of you who continue to support Life Now and our ventures!

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If you prefer to read this online, you will find it as June, 2001

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Our son's graduation was a big event for his parents... "no big deal" to him. He was more eager just to be "out of school." He will be attending college this fall, majoring in Communications, so part of our summer activity has included getting him involved through new student (and parent) orientation a few weeks ago, making contact with his roommate, (he's an only child so that is definitely going to be a learning experience),and all the necessary other preparations. It is exciting for me to be going back through personal memory of college life and the independence it provided. I pray for Shawn's health, safety and delight in life every day.

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And with that, I share a poem:

INFINITY
by Shawn Reed

I come to a time where roads may cross.
The flip of a dime to higher stakes toss.
I come to explore this enigma called life.
The flip may implore a way free at the strife.

How many paths will lead away from this land?
What types of things can age read in my hand?
How many ways give to let me pass through?
What types will live that shall troubles brew?

The gray of the sky is the end of this place.
Just harder I'll try in this endless race.
The gray all around will not part for my case.
Just harder I'm bound for cruel fate to tease.

Then why do I know the truth to all this?
Is there something to show or pitfall to miss?
Then why is it hard to part this gray mist?
Is there something to guard or hold in my fist?

So coming to grips with all is my trial.
But never I'll fall to the ease of denial.
So coming in bounds with infinite key.
But never on grounds as I'm meant to be.

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CONTEST TIME

Yes, we're giving away a subscription to our snail newsletter, "This is Living," a Family/Christian oriented bi-monthly newsletter. It is in its fifteenth year of publication and an annual subscription is $10. Our winner will receive one year subscription FREE!

To qualify, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to "This is Living," 225 Keomah Village, Oskaloosa, IA 52577. Everyone who provides an envelope will receive one free issue. A winner will be chosen randomly by a non-partisan person. Deadline for receipt of your envelope is July 15, 2001. Winner will be notified and announced by name only in the August issue of Expansion Encounters.

You can see a sample at This is Living

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Attitude Creates Enthusiasm
by Dusty Reed

Do you sense a new atmosphere of enthusiasm?

I have given myself the gift of taking time for evening stargazing. It brings a sense of peace. It opens the channel for enthusiasm in whatever is happening in the moment.

Enthusiasm for life brings me to thoughts of how I am willing to reach my full potential in this delightful essence.

We have the choice of how to invest each moment: favorable or less favorable. Staying aware is the key. We can attain awareness simply through practice. Whatever method works for you to do this, continue using it!

It all has to do with attitude. Are there areas where we are not satisfied with our attitude? It is simply a matter of deciding to change. As Tony Robbins says, making the decision is the important step. Once that is done, the rest can fall into place.

Awareness must continue to reign to show us where our focus lies. This takes us back to our attitude and the choices we make.

Once we are living within our preferred attitudes and realize how easy it is to do, it provides astonishment to realize or understand why anyone would choose anything less favorable.

Enthusiasm is the spice of life!

"Unless you live consistent with your deepest (end) values, you'll achieve but still lack the ultimate fulfillment you truly deserve." - Tony Robbins

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Peace
by Dusty Reed

Refreshing sense of cleansing
with the myriad crashing sound
of sixty foaming white caps
breaking on the rocks
ferrying away rejected dross.

In contrast to stark reflection
dazzling across the water,
Immediately behind me lay
the fuzzy barefoot softness
of freshly cut bluegrass,
into novel crevices overflowing
along the rocky shore.

Watching, not really watching
Listening, not really listening
Thinking, not really thinking
Just sitting on the dock,
Just sitting.

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Here are a few sites I find very worthwhile I will be including those of subscribers so, if you have a site and think I might not be aware of it, let me know!

Den IS newest article

Karen's Literary Services

Nancy's new book, "Heaven Help Me"

Church Within

Joann's High Tide Treasures

A really fun, "What's in Your Name" site

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Enjoy every moment to the fullest! - Dusty

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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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