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With Dusty 
From our guest writer this month: by Nic East As we age, we sometimes begin to consider the value of our past contributions to our culture and beyond that, to the world population in general. Our poor egos suffer as we think of missed opportunities and lost loves and compare what we have partially accomplished to that of others who are more “successful” in achieving their goals. This brings to mind the long perspective between what we have done compared with the needs of the world around us and people in general. What are the needs of this world we so blithely inhabit? Daily, we hear of human-caused climate change and political cockfighting seems to rule the media as various politicians spend billions of dollars in their attempt to buy our votes with gratuitous nasty comments about each other propelled in our direction by vast amounts of unearned cash. Wars rage all over the globe and everyone knows at least one military person that has been deployed to a foreign land for obscure reasons. Some have not returned. Ideally, this planet would get along just fine without the interference of Humanity. It seems that we do far more harm than we do good to it. Rain forest ecologies are being burned, rivers and lakes are poisoned and the very air carries noxious fumes given off by the burning of fossil fuels and other poisonous chemistries as though the atmosphere is a colossal toxic dumping place. We produce so much trash, garbage and crud that it is a wonder that we have survived so long. We are lazy and irresponsible in the mismanagement of this beautiful world and these self-serving destructive acts are literally changing the planet’s ecology. If it continues, we will be living in a huge junkyard, filled with our rubbish and little else of merit. What can we, as individuals do to combat or ameliorate this terrible situation? Is it even possible for us to change our policies enough to save the situation in time? It is vital that we, as a population, begin to act proactively and responsibly to alleviate this desperately suicidal trend. We must begin to take charge, admit our failures and get busy cleaning up our act. Down we come through centuries, Bearing our arts and artifacts, Saying our languages, and songs, Doing our dance amid the flames of time. Now in this moment we see, The hardscrabble days behind, Covering the way we came. Out of the past's cold wilderness. I see you there before me, Friend of my friend and more, Sit by me while I pray, For it is a time of new beginnings. And we shall watch the horizon, For those first rays of light, Across the clouds they come, Beaconing us forth into a new day. Come hold my hand and we will go, To that place where the dark fails, Reaping the plot we have sown, And building a new future with it. Children of Forever, hear my song, The sun is up and we must leave, For we are the chosen, And have to carry on. Nic East Dusty’s Sharing – One evening, when our family was outdoors, our then four-year-old son found it very exciting being able to stay up to discover the Big Dipper. He kept exclaiming, "I really get to see the Big Dipper." When he and I came in, he gave his daddy hugs and thanked him so much for letting him stay up to see the Big Dipper. Just before we came in, he discovered the Little Dipper by himself. I have difficulty finding it. He described it to us and was pointing in the right direction so we told him it was the Little Dipper. Then he was even more excited because he had seen both the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. It was a fun time for us. I am sure our son felt free to tell everyone he saw the Big Dipper. He was grateful for his discovery. Sharing new awareness is exciting. As with a child's discoveries, being open-minded brings new possibilities. If people had continued to hold to the idea of the the world being flat, with a canopy of stars overhead, we would certainly not have the technology we have today or be where we are in this world! Everyone shares a personal epitome by opening to acceptance. It may open new doors of awareness. There are many beliefs from one's past that may now be out of date and not applicable. Once upon a time people thought having water actually coming directly into their home was the greatest thing since peanut butter… well, maybe peanut butter hadn't been discovered yet then. They were used to having to go out to a pump or well to fetch it. What would have happened if no one thought it would be easier to pipe water directly into one's home? Acceptance brings awareness of life, acting as a channel of Love, peace and wisdom. Complete acceptance requires preparation. Preparation offers assurance. What good is the ninety-five percent of the brain that does not receive exercise? By allowing acceptance to surface, wisdom has opportunity to emerge. It is difficult, at times, however, to accept what still looks outwardly impossible. The mountain looks too steep. Healing of a family torn apart by circumstances may loom as an impossibility. Many family relationships have been knit back together with forgiveness. Love can weave into every thread of the lives involved. Restoration of health can look totally impossible to an invalid or someone with an incurable disease. Testimonies are many of those who have come back from the shadows to live a joyful, healthy and long life. Financial ruin can appear devastating, where there are still those who take their lives. Being in the storm and just complaining is different from being in a storm and learning or accepting. Peace comes through acceptance. Acceptance is mentally stepping into the sunshine. There are, however, many who are willing to accept where they are and begin the climb once again. Acknowledging, accepting and confronting an unfavorable situation brings a discovery of mastery over that situation. It is useless to become upset in a time of crisis. If one can accept that no problem in the world is big enough to cause worry, since worry solves nothing, how much more life could bring joy. Meditation and asking for direction can bring the solution to heal the circumstances. One may not realize how deeply his words are accepted by the one to whom they are spoken. It is safest and best to always give words of encouragement, no matter what the circumstances, to be heard by the ear that is waiting for those words of comfort. One can offer comfort, tenderness, and compassion for others. What is shared with some may be tough love. They may not understand the reasoning and walk away. Whether they are willing to accept this as tenderness is their choice. There are minimal actions in life that are impossible. The maybe's can often become possible if the willingness to grow receives a flashlight. Acceptance is also making what appears to be a mountain into a gold mine. If everything possible has been done to try to move it, go through it or go around it and the mountain remains a blocking point, then it is time to look for ways to turn the mountain into a pot of gold. By looking at each happening in one's life with an attitude of appreciation, one can find the joy of discovering acceptance in every new day. Honesty in relating to others is important in receiving and offering acceptance. The heart holds love and light. There is no need to strive. Just turn on the faucet. It is a more pleasant relationship when one lets others accept them just as they are. There is no need to belittle self nor is there any reason to build one's self up in the eyes of others. If there is acceptance, this is fine. If there is not, this is also fine. It is not worthwhile to carry a load of false personality. Anyone can have the freedom always to be just the way they are. I continue to write articles and share thoughts via email. As I repeatedly share with each note, “Enjoy every moment,” the receiver is reading it once. I am writing this statement myriad times daily and it has become an inner acceptance for me through the repetition. Being a note of joy to others can be a fulfilling experience. People can only find happiness by applying creativity and passing it along to others. Life is not made up of simply accepting what may appear as a dilemma or what others attempt to dictate. Living in the moment is making a decision after careful consideration and doing what one thinks and feels is good. Listing the pros and cons, discussing them with others involved along with making personal decisions, allows conclusions. Anyone can remain with a decision unless new light gives reason to change that choice. New awareness and readiness to accept others appears daily as one opens to acknowledge his gifts. Gifts such as wisdom, unlimiting love, health and enthusiasm, just to name a few, are already within, waiting to be applied to one's thoughts, feelings and communication with others. Each person has a special gift to give, whether it be a smile, a word of encouragement, help in a situation or sharing a service with others. Everyone has needs and everyone has something to offer. Acceptance, contentment, joy and gratitude walk hand in hand. When one experiences any one of these, they are all present. By accepting their presence, one receives the effects. Some sites I recommend: The Universe Gives Me Energy |
