It Takes a Village

Just as the old saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child,"

I believe it also takes a village to build a community of like-minded individuals spreading an impactful message. 

So, what happens when the village goes quiet?

When new ideas are generated, the village gets excited.  Everyone chips in their ideas and their efforts, but as time goes by, life gets busy, excuses form, and slowly but surely, the village gets quiet.  There is always a few die-hards that keep the ideas and efforts going, but they work harder making up for those who have decided to go quiet.

This very blog was an idea spawned by a dedicated few committed to spreading the message of our Center and truly discussing the transformations it has brought to our lives.  We started out strong, but little by little, the messages dropped off, until there was one silent blogger getting the message out.

What I have come to realize is "how you do one thing, is how you do everything."  It was a wake up call for myself.  I know I'm a doer, I know I'm an action-taker, but I dropped the ball on this blog, and I committed a disservice to this Center and to myself.   That said, I have known in the past few months that I have been quiet here, and that I dropped the ball, but I ignored that whisper. 

I have committed to this Center and to myself to "show up" in every aspect of my life.  So, I recommit my time and energies to the very things that I have committed to.  I call myself out. 

So, I turn the tables....where in your life are you not "showing up?"

What have you committed to that you know and recognize that you have dropped the ball?

When you identify it or are called out on it, it's never too late to pick that ball back up, gratefully reengage and honor your commitments.

Your Friend The Brain

Thursday I attended "Your Friend The Brain" a talk by Stephanie Reese, PhD of
BrainAdvantage it was an illuminating talk.

Here are some of my tweets (how I take notes)

• Your brain has 100 billion cells, w 100 trillion connections...
• Memory is stored brain-wide, 3 kinds, sensory, short term & long term
• Short term memory decays rapidly 200ms & has limited capacity
• What can you do to help cognitive function? Exercise, Nutrition, Learn Something New. (try ballroom dancing)
• So, Learn something new everyday!
• Your Right Brain is Right Here, Right Now.
• Your Left Brain is linear and thinks in language, it is that little voice in your head that says "I am" 

Dr Reese shared this Ted Talk with us, from Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor. She had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. 

Take the time to watch this powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

This Thursday at 7 "ADHD is not just for kids"

Isolation Is Not Freedom

Stick figures participating in the "Releasing Prayer." More tools for transformation.

In this month of July Freedom has been the theme. Last week we heard from Reverend Heather on the topic "Partaking of Your Perfection." So when Dr. Heather shared this tidbit in her Sunday address I immediately tweeted it out as it resonated with me.

"When we try to be perfect we put up shields, perfection is different from perfectionism."

I thought of how in my desire to shield myself from criticism I have often chose to isolate myself. This form of "shielding" has taken many forms but none have given me the freedom I desired.

Because what I am learning is that Freedom is in forgiveness and we need to practice it every day.

Forgiving yourself being the most important forgiveness of all.

Cause I'm free to do what I want any old time ...

Dr. John Waterhouse, Rebecca Wingo & The Aurora Shooting

Rebecca Wingo In Memory

Beloved Friends and Spiritual Family,

 Today my heart feels a deep sense of connection to you all.  The recent events in Aurora will be seen by most as a series of senseless and evil acts, but from such a perspective, nothing is likely to change.  Those of you, as friends or family members who are grieving for Rebecca Wingo and all those affected by these events, are no doubt experiencing an excruciating sense of loss.  These are natural human feelings, and I honor your very personal and intimate process.

 It takes time for the pain of a broken heart to subside and it is never too early to begin offering ideas that may help in the healing process.  The Valley of the Shadow of Death is not a place to linger for very long.  So, beyond these very real and important personal feelings, I want to offer a vision of what may be ours to do in the midst of this painful experience.

Let us remember the words of Carl Jung, “Bidden or unbidden, God is present.”  Likewise, Ernest Holmes reminds us, “There is nothing for me to fear, for I am an inseparable part of God.  I live in Him; He lives in me; and I draw upon His perfect peace.”  This Presence may not be comforting in such sorrowful moments; it is, however, calling something important to be revealed through us right now.

In response to another act of violence some time ago, Rev. Karen and many members of your New Dawn Community took it upon themselves to champion the concept of nonviolence within the City of Aurora.  Extraordinary individuals, including Arun Gandhi and Azim Khamisa, were invited to come to Aurora to share messages that compel us all to a higher consciousness of human interaction.   No one in Aurora, and I would suggest no one in all of Colorado, may be in a better position and state of consciousness to guide the citizens of your city through this desert of despair.

So I call upon every one of you to stand as sacred guides, holding high the healing light of Love while embracing peace and understanding among all people, no matter what.  Let’s reject the notion that we must again and again give our power away to anyone with a lesser understanding of themselves and God.

Emerson said, “Even in the muck and mire of things, something sings.”  I call upon all of us to be the vigilant singers of Truth.  Otherwise, we will have learned nothing of abiding spiritual value from those who have left our close embrace.  A higher consciousness will not likely be revealed in a day or a week, but over time we will all be clearer in our understanding and stronger in our intention to live our lives safely, while continuing to become ever more aware of our Oneness of Spirit.

 I love you all so much and bid you peace.

Rev. Dr. John B. Waterhouse
President Centers For Spiritual Living

Bringing Science of Mind to the World
You may contact the Headquarters Office by visiting http://www.csl.org

Love Train Gino Walker

People all over the world (everybody)
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world (all the world, now)
Join hands (love ride)
Start a love train (love ride), love train
The next stop that we make will be soon
Tell all the folks in Russia, and China, too
Don't you know that it's time to get on board
And let this train keep on riding, riding on through
Well, well
People all over the world (you don't need no money)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train (don't need no ticket, come on)
People all over the world (Join in, ride this train)
Join in (Ride this train, y'all)
Start a love train (Come on, train), love train
All of you brothers over in Africa
Tell all the folks in Egypt, and Israel, too
Please don't miss this train at the station
'Cause if you miss it, I feel sorry, sorry for you
Well
People all over the world (Sisters and brothers)
Join hands (join, come on)
Start a love train (ride this train, y'all), love train (Come on)
People all over the world (Don't need no tickets)
Join hands (come on, ride)
Start a love train, love train
Ride, let it ride
Let it ride
Let it ride
People, ain't no war
People all over the world (on this train)
Join in (ride the train)
Start a love train, love train (ride the train, y'all)
People all over the world (come on)
Join hands (you can ride or stand, yeah)
Start a love train, love train (makin' love)
People all over the world ('round the world, y'all)
Join hands (come on)
Start a love train, love train!

Start A Love Train,  Love Train!

Everything Is Possible Gino Walker

We were blessed with Gino Walker singing "Everything Is Possible"

God is all there is - God includes everything,
all possibility and all action,
for Spirit is the invisible essence and substance of all form.
- Ernest Holmes

Gino Walker @GGotLove

Revealing Health: Purpose Versus Outcome

   

Mission:  high-level awesomeness with a heaping helping of vitality, smothered in joy-laden peace of mind.

With your goal in mind, focus on purpose versus outcome.  The objective is to grow.  The lesson is in the living.  Be present and choose to pay attention.  Enroll in the classroom of life and dedicate yourself to the idea that self-care is a continuous journey of discovery.  Note every miracle moment along the way.

Scooter's Jungle #CSLCV Summer Camp

Scooter's Jungle is our neighborhood destination for family fun in a safe, clean, creative environment offering "worry-free" parties and special events. Only at Scooter's Jungle will you can find custom-made, huge inflatable jumpers and permanent structures that include the tallest and longest indoor inflatable slides. Scooter's Jungle has award winning facilities, offers homemade pizza and other treats. The equipment is right-sized for kids and parents to play together for an active, memorable, and fun filled experience!

Address 25 Journey, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656, USA (949) 349-9559

Parent Forum Every First Thursday

Yesterday was the first Thursday of the month and I was so relieved. Why you ask? Can you say Panera sandwiches and childcare.

We gather, we have sandwiches and we talk. Sometimes a little discussion and fellowship is all you need to feel renewed and maybe even a little validated. I am very thankful for the support and camaraderie I have found at the Parent Forum. Patty Mercado does a great job of facilitating discussion. Let me share some of my most treasured tidbits.

Have a Parental Vision.
You will be called to make snap judgments when you least expect. By processing and reviewing our own values and recognizing who we want to be as parents and what values we want demonstrated will guide us in those moments we could never prepare for. 


Clearly articulate your values to your children.
You need to clearly articulate your values to your children. You will have uncomfortable conversations. And if things don't unfold in a manner you ideally wish they had you can still discuss things in the aftermath. All is not lost. It's just a learning and growing opportunity. 


It's the agricultural model.
We can't grow for them. We can't get into their heads. We provide a healthy environment, good information, good nutrition and nature takes its course. We are watchful stewards for each child. We are looking for each individual child to thrive and we take responsibility for providing that. 


Come join us some Thursday. 

Let Freedom Ring!

They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right. Winston Churchill said that "the destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits-not animals." And he said, "There is something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which, whether we like it or not, spells duty." - Ronald Wilson Reagan

Let Freedom Ring!