I’ve been feeling a lot of sadness (and even despair) lately… I’m not necessarily having more problems than usual; so I think I’m just picking up on the collective energy of the country… Everywhere I go these days, people are angry, sad, and frustrated. The state of the economy seems to be the biggest concern.
I have high hopes for tomorrow, but today I’m giving myself permission to be sad.
I’ve been taking adult education classes in order to prepare myself to join the workforce once again. It’s been awhile since I had a job. I used to be a dental assistant before my accident, but due to my disability I can no longer work as a dental assistant.
I will soon start my search for a fulfilling job. I have come to understand that it is extremely important to enjoy what we do for a living. However, if you are not exactly enjoying the job that you currently have, at least accept it, and think of it as a stepping stone towards greater things.
I would love to start my own green, socially conscious business. Unfortunately I am limited to how much money I can make, otherwise I would risk losing my benefits. In my condition, that is a risk that I am not willing or ready to take. At least not yet.
I have been working on putting together a new project called WeCareCycle Network. I’ve been making slow progress, but every time I get a little desperate I remind myself of a wise Chinese proverb: “Do not fear slow progress, but do fear stagnation.”
I came up with the idea of creating an online network where people can either donate or receive wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches and other medical equipment. This network would act as a gifting/recycling place where folks with different permanent or temporary disabilities or injuries can either find or donate a wheelchair, a walker, a cane, etc.
I was talking to a friend a few days ago, and she mentioned that when she needed a walker for her mother she was able to find one (in perfect condition) at the dump! It blows my mind to think that while some people throw away medical equipment that they no longer need, there are other people who need it desperately. I want to create this disability equipment ‘gifting/ recycling’ network to help ease the financial burden on other disabled folks, as well as help reduce waste that would otherwise end up in our landfills. As I see it, it’s a win-win situation.
I have contacted some individuals and organizations to ask for help with this project. Even though I haven’t heard back from any of them yet, I remain hopeful that I will make it happen.
For more information on my project, please refer to my homepage.
Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Through some friends, I was recently introduced to other forms of energy medicine such as TAT and Quantum Touch.
For the last couple of months, I’ve been thinking about adding other forms of energy medicine to my routine, but I wasn’t sure how to go about doing so. I did some research online, but somehow I just let it slide. I guess I wasn’t ready…
I love the fact that energy medicine is becoming more mainstream these days thanks to professionals such as Dr. Northrup and Dr. Oz just to name a couple.
I don’t like to talk about politics, but I am going to make an exception this time because I am too outraged to remain silent. For the last few weeks, I’ve been watching in horror the brutality that the Chinese government has been using against the peaceful demonstrators in Tibet and other neighboring provinces.
The Lhasa protests, led by brave Buddhist monks, began peacefully on March 10; unfortunately things took a violent turn on March 14, when Chinese authorities decided to use violence against the protesters by opening fire on them. The crackdown drew worldwide attention to China’s human rights record, threatening to overshadow Beijing’s attempts to project an image of peace, progress, and unity.
Despite the fact that the Dalai Lama has consistently urged his followers to remain peaceful, the Chinese government has accused him of promoting violence. I have to say that I find that accusation not only outrageous but also ridiculous.
Speaking of outrageous and ridiculous claims, The Chinese government has asked the Western media to remain “neutral” to the events unfolding in Tibet and other neighboring provinces. They keep complaining about the “unbalanced” coverage of the events happening in that region. Unbalanced? Really? If they really want a ‘balanced’ coverage, then why are they so unwilling to allow the independent media in the region? It is a well-known fact that anyone in China who speaks out about human rights does so at great risk of persecution.
I strongly believe that what you resist persists; therefore, I am not going to empower this situation by resisting it. All I can do is pray and meditate on thoughts of peace and compassion; and I urge you to do the same.
For up-to-the-minute updates, please visit www.freetibet.org.
The concept of living in the present moment was hard for me to understand until recently. I think I am just beginning to grasp the importance of living in the now.
Once I decided to start paying closer attention to my thoughts, I was amazed at the amount of time that I spend thinking about the past (or the future). Everyone around me agrees, most of us seem to be obsessed with the past; “I shouldn’t have done that”, “I shouldn’t have said that”, “I can’t believe I did that”, “I can’t believe he said that to me”, etc. What a waste of valuable time, huh?
Sometimes I catch myself thinking “how long is it going to take me to become mindful of the present moment at all times?”, which is a contradiction in itself! I find some of my thoughts quite amusing. 
Last night I watched a very touching movie based on the book “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay. She reminded me of the importance of loving and accepting oneself unconditionally. I’ve been focusing a lot of my energy and attention on forgiving myself and others; but I must admit that I haven’t been focusing enough attention on loving and accepting myself just the way I am.
I strongly believe that forgiveness played a crucial role in my recovery. By forgiving myself and others I was able to positively affect my overall health.
So, thank you Louise Hay for reminding me to dust off my affirmations. 
A book called “Anastasia” was highly recommended to me by a good friend (who happens to be a deeply spiritual person.) I am currently halfway through it, and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Anastasia is a highly advanced spiritual master. She lives in Russia (yes, she’s a real person!) Her teachings are life-transforming. I remember thinking as I was reading it “is this science fiction?” I had to remind myself of an amazing quote by St. Augustine: “Miracles happen, not in opposition to Nature, but in opposition to what we know of Nature.”
You can read more about the teaching of this great sage at:
http://www.ringingcedars.com
As I watched the Oprah special on Martin Luther King today, I was overjoyed to hear that this is the most color-blind generation in history. Dr. King must be proud of us.
The following are some of my favorite quotes by the Great Hero of the Civil Rights Movement:
“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail, April 16, 1963
I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions, so I won’t even go there :). But I would like to share the following quote with you:
“This is a new year and a new day. I join with countless others in strengthened hope and in a renewed belief in the possibility of change. I resolve not to waste this opportunity. Today I release the old thoughts that have kept me separate and disconnected, that have split my mind and drained my power. Today I drink deeply of love and simple peace. Today I open myself to others so that I may open my heart to God.”
From “365 thoughts, a daily guide to uplift and inspire”. By Hugh Prather.