" No Harm ... "

I'm the true recluse, 

Blissful as a loner, 

And all that we have left

Is never lied for

Delivered on a word

Never near the target

Seen for what it was

And never eye to eye 

Baby there's no harm, 

There's no harm ... 

So watch what you say, 

There's a beast that's in me

~ Boxer Rebellion ~ No Harm ~

***

The more and more I hear the statement “do no harm, but take no shit”, I identify with it.  I realize that I am not that important, but what I do, matters.  And every single thought, intention or action has an effect.  Always.  

I always knew that life was too unpredictable to create bullshit, but learning not to take it from others is entirely different story.  And it is not about being a rude, inconsiderate, insensitive, impatient, angry ... ... it IS about choice.  

We equate peace with passivity and conflict with violence ... but how do we bring assertiveness within our peace and then how do we bring peace to personal conflicts?  How do we pause and wait out reactivity?  How do we give ourselves the opportunity to explore the infinities of other choices?

... practice non-action, remaining silent, taking a pause and letting things settle.  This may appear to be passive but it actually requires huge assertion, because it intercepts the expectations and anticipation of the outcome and focuses on the essence of what is ... 

A moment of hesitation, a moment of stillness, a moment of truth ... when you may respond avoiding regret.  We’ve all been there when as soon as it comes out of mouth, we wish it was still back in there. 

When our intentions come from a place of compassion, love, integrity and truth, no harm is possible.  This purity provides us a glimmer into the true essence of human nature.  We have it in us to do no harm when we operate from our higher self, rather than our ego.  

Plus there is always an opportunity to observe ego, yours or another, in action.  Indulgent feelings of righteousness as well as overbearing beliefs that “their” opinion must be shared and forced onto others.  Ironically, they don’t see this negative trait in themselves because they’re too focused on their belief that they are somehow justified and allowed to act that way.

Personally, I’d rather than be happy than right ...

www.walkstrong.ca

" Falling Out … "

Sometimes I feel like there's no getting through to you
like you don't appreciate all that I do.
you gotta show me that you want me to stay
don't turn & walk away

I don't know what to do,
how did we end up here this way?
what are we gonna do?
I'm slowly falling out.. 

don't let your pride get in the way,
don't throw it away
Slowly falling, slowly falling

How did we end up here this way?

~ Keyshia Cole ~ Falling Out ~

***

Oh look, another falling out ... how many does that make?  lost track?  can’t keep count?   ... The thoughts going through my head recently, as I heard about some “people” who we use to be in our friends circle, but you guessed it … had another falling out.  

And I can’t help the little smile on my face.  Judgement, most definitely.  You see when you have a “falling out with someone” you hope that after the oh so drama~ugliness, there is a lesson in the experience, and there always is.  But prior it is all about blame.  We blame others first and then if we are truthful, we take responsibility as well.  

Intentionally giving very little energy to them, I have to say that even hearing about yet another falling out with these folks, well, let's just say, there seems to be quite a few "victims".  And sure it was a trigger.  Life goes on, it is what is … and then a conversation stirs up old feelings, old emotions, old thoughts. old drama.  Almost wise to start a support group for all the people that have experienced their wrath ... I know there would be double digits in attendance.  Perhaps we can share the lessons, who knows the message may be the same.

Mental affirmation: reliving the past, not interested ... predicting the future, too boring ... staying present and accepting what is, freedom.

Sad really, because their “new” world supporters rave on soapboxes about their compassion, kindness, generosity, love, motivation ... blah blah blah ... judgement, most definitely ... warranted, I guess that is up for debate ... maybe just ask the potential support group I mentioned that have been messed around by their behaviour, I’m sure they would have some interesting insight.  You can call it what you want … I see it as just an observation on how life works itself out perfectly!  

ॐ Thank-you karma, thank-you ॐ

Another observation ... 

one common factor in all these “fall outs” are it involves the same people.  Again, you can blame others, say that they are jealous, envious, insecure, immature but if you have a record of these broken relationships, maybe just maybe, take a look in the mirror ... or not.  And really at the end, we are ultimately responsible as to how we let people treat us ... well at least how we react to it.  The tricky part is the manipulation.  And these folks are good, real good.  Actually could probably write a book about, or even host a workshop.  Haha, I wonder how many would register for the “how to be an opportunist” course starring ****.  

Stage names are great when you are “acting” out your life rather than living your truth

Le sigh ... honesty moment: you can visualize how the confrontation will go down, and it never ever works out that way ... you lose your nerve, you are unprepared, you are unsure or maybe, you just don’t give a damn, yeah that’s it, ask yourself does it really matter anymore ... no.  

SO then why the blog then if there is now concern ... observations, observations, observations .... just an example as to how the law of karmic balance works, here and now ... you get exactly what you deserve.  If you think you deserve better, then let others know ... and if they don’t agree, you may be just as lucky to experience an “enlightening” fall out too ॐ

" Why ... "

How many times do I have to try to tell you

That I'm sorry for the things I've done

But when I start to try to tell you

That's when you have to tell me ...

That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words

That keep on falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Falling from your mouth

Tell me ... Why

This is the book I never read

These are the words I never said

This is the path I'll never tread

These are the dreams I'll dream instead

This is the joy that's seldom spread

These are the tears...

The tears we shed

This is the fear

This is the dread

These are the contents of my head

And these are the years that we have spent

And this is what they represent ...

You don't know what I feel

~ Annie Lennox ~ Why ~

***

The meaning of Life and it’s impermanent nature.  We often contemplate life, death and the purpose of being here ... the why of it all.  Why the happiness, why the sadness, why the struggle, why the heartache ... and I don’t know if there is a solid answer I’ve found to satisfy the why ... I don’t know if the chase for a more promising tomorrow will ever end.

Some day, that goal ... it will all lead to happiness.  But we know better.  We know that we cannot stride through life as if we will live forever.  We know that we cannot treat time as a cheap commodity that we blindly waste.  We know that we cannot hide behind victim stories forever.  We know the signs to wake up and make a change.

So you learn to forgive, you learn to take responsibility, and you learn to let go of anxiety and stress ... but what happens when we make all those changes only to find our problems are still very present and very real?  You learn to live your life with courage, love and integrity.  You learn to slow down and appreciate the preciousness of whom you are and the beauty, wealth, abundance, love and opportunities that surround you.

it’s about what makes you come alive ... 

A blank canvas in front of you, you are the artist of your life 

and you are free to paint any picture that pleases you ... 

and change it at any time for that matter ... 

We may not be able to answer the infinite question of why ... but we can replace it with questions that motivate us ... what do you love in life? ... what would you stand for if you knew no one would judge you? ... what really inspires you?

Believe that the more you can implement your passions, strengths, values and desires into your days, the less you will be asking why because the most valuable knowledge that you will ever discover is, and always will be, within.

" Preacher ... "

When I was a kid

I used to buy and sell gravity

I knew how to fly

And I could teach you for a fee ...

When I was a kid ...

I took a little faith ...

I drove to a strange town

Full of have and have nots

And as I walked through that storybook life

I was looking for an angel to chase the devil at the light

... 'God only helps those

Who learn to help themselves'

He was a million miles from a million dollars

But you could never spend his wealth ...

~ One Republic ~ Preacher ~

***

Life is full of contradictions ... people often make moral claims that they cannot live up to.  There are countless examples of scandals involving leaders who talk publicly about living up to standards, but whose personal lives do not measure up.  But if we are truthful, can we honestly say that we perfectly practice what we preach?

Cognitive Dissonance ~ holding two contradicting ideas ...

We all have experienced this ... for example, you know that you want to be healthy, talk about getting fit and strategies on how you will do it all while finishing a bag of potato chips.  You see our minds cannot handle contradiction, so we start to rationalize.  We take a shortcut that might make us feel better but often ends in a poor choice.  We also decide that one of the two ideas is false ... something true is mistaken and your behaviour was incorrect ... because it is easier to rationalize a mistake than to use that mistake to make changes.

So people behave differently than what they would predict they would do.  In essence, it is hard to predict what you are going to do in a situation if you are not experiencing that situation.  You basically take your best guess about it.  Hence your predictions are often inaccurate.

Now in my life, I don’t except unrealistic expectations, lies and empty promises.  I know how that story ends, and no thanks.  The bottom line is that if you say one thing and do another, it is fake ... the bottom line is you lead by example, period.

And that starts with integrity ... doing that right thing even when no one is looking.  Example ... ever notice that the people that lie their way through life always have the “newest” friends?  

So start with the truth ... 

then you can adjust your behaviour and life to coincide with it, 

even if that is difficult at first. 

The shift will happen when you address the contradictions.  Because rationalizing them away will only bridge the gap between what you do and what is.  And the beauty is that those gaps is what allows growth and improvement ... and a life towards your ideal capacity.

" Your Word ... "

Your Word I can't deny Your truth
It covers me and lights the way ahead
Your ways of mercy never end
My life surrounded by the hope within
You’ve placed a fire within my heart
Awakening desire for You ...

I stand upon the things You said
My trust in You and by Your Word I live
I know that You have rescued me
My way is set Your light will lead me on
Follow follow follow follow You

~ Parachute Club ~ Your Word ~

***

You’ve probably heard the saying “walk your talk” meaning say what you mean and mean what you say ... the path of personal integrity.  But do you find that your words take you down a path you are not willing to follow?  And do you really know where you stand?

You see most of us have good intentions to follow through but lack of skills, energy or even emotional roadblocks get in the way.  Which provides a solid explanation ... but what if we simply don’t keep our word - we over commit and under deliver.  

Maybe the real question is how good are you to your word?

There is great power in words.  They manifest our dreams and goals while holding personal integrity in delicate balance.  They put power into our physical reality.  Having principles and standards consistent throughout all parts of us is integrity.  You see integrity comes from a place of wholeness where think, speak and act are all in alignment.  Our words match our actions ... at least that is the "perfect" definition of it.

We can all reflect on a time when someone in our life used language carelessly and agreed to things readily yet lacked in the action to support it.  These are times when people deprive themselves of their power, because it is diminished when they undermine their own integrity.

So why the deception?  Well it helps to create multiple realities.  You see when you lie, reality splits or “dis-integrate”.  Now you have one reality that you know and live in, and another that the people to whom you have lied live in.  And those whom you have lied make decisions and choices based on the reality they inhabit, but it’s a different reality than the one you inhabit ... resulting in a split which now influences your relationship and your common future.

So why again why the deception?  ... essentially to make your reality more comfortable.  When you lie, you avoid feeling bad or disappointing others.  Yet you create a situation without having any real way of knowing what the repercussions of that reality split will be down road.  You can’t know how this separate reality will boomerang back to you ... and you can’t really know whether the net outcome for this other person will be better or worse than the course of the reality that might have resulted if you had told the truth.  All you can know for sure is that you’ve now created a rift in a continuum of both your own and these other people’s lives, and you’ve taken charge, if even in a small way, of designing someone else’s reality.

I remember being told when you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember any stories because the state of being connected, sound, and consistent are aligned.  You don’t feel fractured wondering when multiple realities may come crashing down.  When you tell the truth you fully know and trust yourself and others trust you.

Many sources on integrity begin with being true to your word.  The truth is that your word is gold.  To speak something other than your highest choice and truth is a form of fragmentation.  We have the ability to use the power of our words in a direction of truth and love.  And this may not necessarily be kind ... but that is when you ask is it coming from a place of compassion for a greater good. ~ Miguel Ruiz

We can all pause to see where we stand.  We can ask what type of agreements are we making or breaking with ourselves?  Begin with choice words that reflect real promises and understand that they hold incredible power towards manifestation.  Because when your words match you intentions and your actions match your words, life is much happier, it feels right and all is in perfect alignment.