Deep Blog Nation (DBN)

Urgent Update from Taiji: September 1, 2009, A Good Day for Dolphins | TakePart Social Action Network™

2009-09-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

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Sometimes the warm and fuzzy feelings that we require come from real life moments and not the movies....

Crying for John Lennon: A Tribute

2009-01-14T00:14:00.001-08:00

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

2008-12-09T22:57:00.001-08:00

Give Peace A Chance - John Lennon

2008-12-09T22:45:00.001-08:00

all we are saying...

You Are The Reason (Peace Song)

2008-11-02T01:48:00.001-07:00

Absolutely beautiful!

Peace

2008-10-05T23:48:00.000-07:00

As I am currently expecting, I have deviated from the normal run of the mill baby and toddler books and instead I am reading books with names like 'Green Babycare', 'Children of NOW', 'Make It (which is a craft book for kids using recyclable materials) and 'Positive Parenting for a Peaceful world'. It is my believe that the strongest tool we have for a peaceful world will be our kids.

Currently I am reading Positive Parenting and amongst other things, the author says the following:

- Peace is never won through violence. Violence, bullying and war breed more violence, anger and war and a vicious circle of suffering.
- Peace cannot be won by ignoring violence, oppression or injustice. Pretending all is well does not make the problem go away.
- Peace can only be won when all parties build bridges toward each other. This is as true of the family and the school as it is of neighbours, communities and countries.

We cannot bottle peace and say 'apply this and all will be well'. Nor can we capture it and hang a label around it saying 'please do not disturb'. People who want to keep things 'peaceful' all the time will find that they are chasing an impossible dream. They may be dispirited or disappointed. Or they may try to control everyone and everything by imposing their views and closing their minds to other possibilities. This imposed peace is not real peace. Peace is about active engagement with people and problems so that we are better able to understand one another and find solutions that value our differences and common needs.

Peace:
- Respecting ourselves and others.
- Relating well to one another.
- Reconciling differences.

Blessings to all.

Perfect Action

2008-10-02T01:59:00.000-07:00

A perfect action means "an action that benefits someone and harms no-one". It is an action rooted in non-violence and compassion coming from a deep source within.

Namaste

Gratefulness

2008-10-02T01:27:00.000-07:00

This morning one of the many newsletters that crosses my email, brought to my attention that if we were truly grateful for what we received and the favours that others show us, we would return the favour.

So for the next week, make it your aim to show your gratefulness in action to the universe and the person who bestowed you the favour or gift by returning it in like to someone else who might be in need. In this way you are not just saying you are thankful, but showing it in action.

Blessings to all.

Let-It-Be*Peace

2008-09-29T04:07:00.001-07:00

Peace One Day - A Short Video Explaining Peace One Day

2008-09-21T23:25:00.001-07:00

World Hunger

2008-08-15T18:57:00.001-07:00

For all of us who are so comfortable in our own lives that we cannot see the real world because it might disrupt our own...

Demartini Institute Newsletter

2008-08-06T00:53:00.000-07:00

When someone believes in you, you increase in self worth and rise to the occasion. Long-term visionaries know to stay the course. They don't focus on how things aren't being done; they wisely look at what is being done and what can be done. They are solution orientated, not problem focused. As a nation, hold a vision for South Africa, don't let outer forces deter your vision and actions towards it; look for what is working; acknowledge the heroes; be grateful for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect and serve South African society.

When you see the genius in another, you have the power to awaken the genius you see. Acknowledge the heroes and show your gratitude, for when you are grateful, you get more to be grateful for.

Freedom is for everyone

2008-08-05T01:18:00.001-07:00

Join the network and be a part of a non-violent light revolution

Visit Candle4Tibet

You don't have to be a superhero to save the planet

2008-06-17T01:41:00.001-07:00

How to change the world

2008-05-26T02:37:00.000-07:00

I have taken note that the last few weeks in my life have been filled with turmoil (of course in smaller doses than that of the world) and struggle to promote peace or convince others of peace. War, unrest and violence seems to be the theme of the month though and it has been a trying time trying to find my own inner peace, as well as trying to manifest it in my life. What I know for sure is that eventhough we do not have any control over the actions of others, we are all the masters of our own REactions. It is so vitally important for this small little rock we live on that we start to choose wisely and effectively, from the heart and from love instead of from the ego and fear.

It seems to be that everyone is preparing for in case someone else chooses to attack them and thereby wasting precious energy that, if filled with love, could have been re-directed causing so many brighter ripples in the world than the mis formed ones that are currently part of our systems, and really, there does not seem to be one country that is truly at peace anymore.

Therefore, it seemed like real magic when this email came across my screen this morning. Reading it I remembered Ghandi saying: 'Be the change you want to see in the world' and Oscar Wilde: 'We are all in the gutters, but some of us are looking up at the stars' and then there is one of my favourites by Edmund Burke: 'Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little'.

The truth that has dawned on me so many times before is that we need to stop waiting for the masses in order to fit in, or for the leaders to show us how. We have become lazy as the masters of our own destiny and sleepy to the world around us. Most of our actions are sub-conscience automatic responses, programmed by society instead of intelligent and emotional choices based on the real life current information that we are receiving. We have become a race based on assumptions and pre-dispositions instead.

I hope everyone can take a little self-improvement away from this piece and perhaps realise that unless we stop blaming and throwing harmful words around, we will never have inner or worldly peace:

How to change the world

It seems perfectly appropriate to be e-mailing you from Argentina when the topic for this week’s lesson is social and global transformation. In the words of a local, Argentina has been going through a silent civil war for decades and is suffering. No matter where I travel, it is clear that our countries are facing their own peak challenges right now. We can no longer separate ourselves from our world. What used to happen “over there” and “to them” is now “over here” and “to us”.

Our sense of family is expanding to include a much larger collective global family. Though cultures and languages may differ, we bleed the same, cry the same, laugh the same and need the same.

So as I sit here looking out of my hotel apartment in Buenos Aires, having struggled to speak to the few Spanish-speaking people I have just met, I am filled in awe once again that no matter where I go, when you learn to open the heart you will find family.

Given half a chance, if you offered most people the opportunity to change the world they would want to. Do you?

So the question is how? How do you make your life count towards a better world for us all?

Here are 3 real and deep truths that will help you to help your world.

1. Don’t look outside without also looking “in”.

When we look outside of ourselves at the world, we can feel overwhelmed at the sheer size of world problems. Because it all looks too big, we don’t believe that we can do anything of real value. We also go into a denial born of hopelessness, and then we close our eyes and hearts, to just focus on our own survival. We separate our hearts from “them” to try to feel safer.

TIPS:

a. Become aware of when you do this, and ask yourself to not let fear push you to close your eyes or your heart.
b. Then go inside of yourself to build the peace and the strength to not shrink back from the world.
c. Go inside with prayer or meditation to share the emotional burdens you carry with peace. Sharing the load is powerfully healing.

2. Don’t ask “What can 1 person really do?” Rather ask, “What can I be?”

There is simply too much for any 1 person to do. By focusing on what needs to be done you will feel inadequate and overwhelmed. Rather focus on being the person you were born to be, trust that when you do this, your presence will make the difference you were born to make. Ironically from this perspective you will also likely DO more for the world, but it will feel natural and based on inner peace rather than fear.

3. Your personal and spiritual growth is your greatest contribution to world healing.

Social transformation is a result of personal transformation. Because we are all connected, like drops in the ocean, know that:

• Your greatest contribution to world peace is inner peace.
• Your greatest contribution to world healing is personal healing.
• Your greatest contribution to global financial empowerment is personal financial empowerment.
• Your greatest contribution to world spiritual awareness is a personal experience (not concept) of spirituality.

We make a difference. You make a difference. Just like science tells us that the flap of butterfly wings can change weather patterns on the other side of the world, your personal healing and growth can ripple to contribute to new futures and global healing.

This week's on campus course: Social Transformation - Wednesday morning 28th May at The Academy of Metaphysics and Wednesday evening at The Naturally Yours Institute in Bryanston. Please e-mail pages@iafrica.com or call 011 469-1666 for bookings. Seats are limited.

Look out for next week's teaching until then...
Be all you were born to be!

All my best,
Colleen-Joy

The Colleen-Joy Company
Tel: (+27 11) 469-1666
www.colleen-joy.com http://www.colleen-joy.com
Enrol for Colleen-Joy's free weekly teachings, enjoyed by +6500 online students for over 6 years.

Written by a Teary Black African

2008-05-23T03:26:00.000-07:00

I might not be a South African

But I’m black, my skin is the same as yours
My colour is the same as yours
My genes are African, nothing but African
When your leaders were beaten by whites
I was there to shelter them
I was patient with them
I offered them food, shelter,
Most of all, I offered them protection

I might not be a South African

I can’t speak Zulu, cause I’m Vhenda
I can’t speak Zulu, cause I’m Shangaan
I don’t know what an elbow is in Zulu
As much as you don’t know it in my language
Since when was Zulu the only South African language?
Yes……………I’m not from Gauteng
I was not born here, but I’m South African
Where should I go if you beat me
I’m not beating your father, mother, brother or sister who works at my area in the mines
I’m not calling them makwerekwere though they can’t speak my language.

I might be dark in complexion

I might have the foreigners looks
I might have the foreigners body structure
Now I am scared to go to the only place that I call home
I’m scared of working down the street without my ID
Whites wanted me to do that centuries ago
Now you, my black brother is acting white

Why should you Black South Africans do this?

What makes you think that you better than me?
Who told you that I’m responsible for your unemployment?
Who told you that I’m less human
If I need to go back to Vhenda……..let all the Zulus go back to KZN
Let all the Tswana’s go back to Botswana
Let all the Sotho’s go back to Lesotho
Let all the Ndebele’s go back to Kwandebele
Let all the Xhosa’s go back to Eastern Cape
Yes…………let all the Swati’s go back to Swaziland

Is this not ignorance?

Your unemployment is your responsibility
Use your intellect
Get up and work
Let education empower you
Seek humanity

Before 1994 you blamed whites
Now you are blaming me
Who are you going to blame after chasing me away?
Who are you going to blame after killing me?

For what it’s worth…………………..

I’m sorry I was not born here
I’m sorry I can’t speak Zulu
I’m sorry for being too dark for your Joburg
I’m sorry for cleaning the toilets you don’t want to clean
I’m sorry for doing your garden
I’m sorry for repairing your shoes
I’m sorry for protecting your leaders while they were in Exile
Yes…………………what you call Exile………..is my country
And most of all…….I’m sorry for building South African infrastructure

Please my brothers let there be peace and prosperity amongst black African people.

Written by a Teary Black African

The Gathering of One ... Sow the Seeds of Peace

2008-05-20T06:04:00.001-07:00

It is about time for all to come together.

Doctor Exposes Fluoride as Poison

2008-05-19T02:05:00.001-07:00

You have to ask yourself 'How did we start?' when you see these everyday poisons coming to light. For me personally, it is a case of KNOWING - no one should put stuff in you without you saying yes to it, knowing fully what the pros and cons are. For years doctors, scientists and the government have allowed various compounds to be used in substances that the consumer requires or needs, based on the fact that they are scarcely hazardous. No one gave the consumers a choice or even fully informed them simply because there was money to be made. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist or a paranoid citizen, BUT I do believe that my rights are to know what goes where and EXACTLY what effects they may or may not have on me, my body and my children. I also want to know that full tests and long-term testing has been done and what the percentage of damage and negative effects are.

These should be every person's rights so that 50 years along the line I am not surprised by someone coming forth to state that something is actually fairly dangerous and should not have been allowed back when.

Suddenly there are a lot of paranoid conspiracy theorists going 'See! I told you so!'...

The Secret - Planet Earth

2008-05-07T00:39:00.001-07:00

After the previously harrowing movie of earthlings, which showed us the worst that humans can do, this movie will show you all the wonders of our planet and reasons to fight for each being's right to live...

This is Canada's 'Humane' Seal hunt?

2008-04-22T04:46:00.001-07:00

The Canadian authorities making no attempts to enforce the legislation, they are also desperately trying to prevent the media and other observers witnessing what really goes on. And while everyone gets upset with seeing these images, no one is actively taking a stand and the need for fur does not lessen. STOP BUYING FUR! Of any kind. You don't look beautiful in the skin of a dead animal that was granted no grace. STOP SUPPORTING THOSE THAT WEAR FUR! They may be your favourite artist, performer, singer or other celebrity, but if they are wearing it or buying it for their wives or children or friends, they are a part of the problem. Watch these images and tell me you still feel good about being the supporter of the FUR industry.

read more | digg story

Earthlings

2008-04-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

I sat right through this video, crying my eyes out, but refusing to ignore what I have comfortably denied for so long. Everyone needs to see this. What choice you make after it will be an informed one, one based on knowledge and not denial. And if you cannot watch this, ask yourself WHY?

A Different View of South Africa - Interview with John Demar

2008-04-17T00:52:00.001-07:00

South Africa has been through some hard times and it seems the struggle is far from over. When dealing with people that carry so much anger about what happened in the past and so many people who carry anger about what is happening now, everyone becomes too blind too see. Often times we need to see what other people see. We do not have less foreigners coming into our country (and I am not just talking about refugees from Zim). In fact we mostly have more people that are clearly seeing investment opportunities that we ourselves are not focusing on. When you become focussed on the anger, hate and bad things that are happening, you so very often miss the good things.Create your own environment. Know what others see and count your blessings daily.

read more | digg story

Noise pollution

2008-04-15T00:42:00.001-07:00

Silence is something that is essential to humans and it is proven in people who meditate or make space for silence in their lives. The benefit to our physical (as well as spiritual and mental) bodies can not be ignored. But trying to get to silence in our busy cities is not often an easy task, no matter how essential it might be.This article smartly deals with ways to lessen the noise pollution in our immediate space, whilst also given a wonderful overview on the ways that noise pollution affects not only us, but our friends in nature as well.

read more | digg story

Buying more is good

2008-04-15T00:39:00.001-07:00

When purchasing the wares for our homes, we are often blinded by the better prices on bulk items. This article gives hints to those people who think they might be saving a penny or two from buying in large quantities. Often buying more at any given time results in more waste and therefore a larger heap filling up our junkyards.

read more | digg story

Recycling 101

2008-04-10T23:50:00.001-07:00

Quick and painless overview about recycling, it lists all the benefits, but also highlights the facts that recycling is not all about putting your cans on the curb. It is also about lessening the waste and reusing or repairing some of the things we would normally throw away, because, let's face it, we have become a wasteful race.

Some people don't have any and others throw away anything that they deem not fit.

By now, everyone should know that recycling benefits the world, but before you throw out anything, consider fixing it first or finding out from friends if maybe they have a need for it. Before you buy anything new, consider whether you really need it or could do with borrowing one from a friend, or scan the junk mail pages for someone who wants to get rid of theirs.

Our landfills are filled with junk that someone thought no-one needed whilst another person goes and buys a new one. We need to start thinking and considering more carefully.

read more | digg story