I've been down many paths on this journey. I've met more than a few dead ins and made more than one wrong turn to get to where I'm at today. It has recently occurred to me that I have been reconnecting with things that were enjoyable , that excited and inspired me when I was at a much younger age. Before jobs, relationships and life in general got in the way.
As a boy I was in the Boy Scouts. I was never much interested in gaining rank, in fact I was jokingly called the longest living second class scout, but you know, I used to love to go on camping trips and to summer camp. It seems I have fallen back into that, hiking and camping much of the summer when I'm not working. In the 70's I was a very, very, very small time radical but I was passionate about it, I thought I could change the world. I read all the leftest books, watched all the news programs and read newspapers. I wore a green arm band on the first Earth Day. I wrote letters to all kinds of people. I worked as a volunteer on the McGovern Campaign and Carter campaigns. Passing put literature at the mills and factories. I seem to be reconnecting with that through my blog at http://edeyesoapbox.blogspot.com/ I hope people will read it and just like this blog I hope I can have a positive influence in someone's life, but it excites me to just be in the process. Just the endeavor gives me hope and excites me for something better, pumping fresh life into my own life. It does bring joy.
What were you passionate about as a teenager? What hobbies did you have as a child? I urge you to reconnect with what ever you found enjoyable as a child or teenager. It could be a hobby a subject, really anything, but I think it will bring a new enjoyment into your life.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Things
Tolstoy says "The definition of wealth is the number of things we can do with out."
I find this to be very true when it comes to happiness. Some of the happiest people I've known had only what they could carry on their back. While some of the unhappiest people I've known had everything in the world as far as possessions go. I myself have given up a lot, it was a hard process, but I think that was mostly my own fault. But now I find myself in a much happier and healthier place and I think giving up so much is part of it. I hardly ever eat corporate food. I hardly watch TV. I couldn't tell you much of what is going on in the big world, except for what I research and write about. You know what? In my small piece of the world a lot of what they talk about and show on tv doesn't concern me. My life is a lot more peaceful and sane because I don't watch all that craziness. Most of what they call news is not really news worthy anyway and most of what is news worthy is sensationalized. I know kids that spend almost all their free time playing video games. Their days are filled with car chases and violence of one kind or another. What does that do to someone's mental health? With all this constant bombardment of images of violence, sex and products you "Just" have to have, its no wonder that attention deficit and obsessive compulsiveness has become such a big thing with our young people. I ask you to disconnect go out side, breath deep, take a hard look around and ask your self what is it that you really need?
"Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body." George Carlin
I find this to be very true when it comes to happiness. Some of the happiest people I've known had only what they could carry on their back. While some of the unhappiest people I've known had everything in the world as far as possessions go. I myself have given up a lot, it was a hard process, but I think that was mostly my own fault. But now I find myself in a much happier and healthier place and I think giving up so much is part of it. I hardly ever eat corporate food. I hardly watch TV. I couldn't tell you much of what is going on in the big world, except for what I research and write about. You know what? In my small piece of the world a lot of what they talk about and show on tv doesn't concern me. My life is a lot more peaceful and sane because I don't watch all that craziness. Most of what they call news is not really news worthy anyway and most of what is news worthy is sensationalized. I know kids that spend almost all their free time playing video games. Their days are filled with car chases and violence of one kind or another. What does that do to someone's mental health? With all this constant bombardment of images of violence, sex and products you "Just" have to have, its no wonder that attention deficit and obsessive compulsiveness has become such a big thing with our young people. I ask you to disconnect go out side, breath deep, take a hard look around and ask your self what is it that you really need?
"Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body." George Carlin
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Joy
We were born to be happy, confident, trusting, joyful, kind,
compassionate, sympathetic, helpful, enthusiastic, patient, positive,
hopeful, and loving. This should be our reference point for what is "normal" and "balanced." When
our state of mind reflects inner peace, joy, love and well-being-then
peace, joy, love and well-being is what we naturally project outward and
this brings us positive experiences.
Concentration, Alertness and Focus
Concentration is about being able to focus on the tasks ahead. Focusing, we can direct all our attention and energy to one place.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Lemon, basil, rosemary, cardamon, orange, grapefruit, peppermint, bergamot, cedarwood, eucalyptus, fennel, cypress, cinnamon, ylang ylang, juniper ginger, clove, nutmeg, pine.
Happiness and Contentment
A happy person is in a state of balance and harmony with life. It may come through accepting limitations, with forgiveness, with letting go all that holds us back, or with openness to the future.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Don't expect essential oils to create happiness and contentment for you. But they may help by reducing the tenseness and stress of unhappiness. Orange, rose, jasmine, clove, coriander, sandalwood, bergamot, ylang ylang, Roman Chamomile, lemon, neroli, frankincense, lavender, patchouli.
Joy & Peace
With joy-comes peace. Peace is a state of grace-a spiritual restfulness that reaches to every cell in the body. In peace, we embrace the stillness inside-in our bodies, minds and spirits-and are one with the still vibration of the universe.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Essential oils can help to create a peaceful environment that encourages peace within. Neroli, frankincense, melissa, angelica, Roman Chamomile, juniper, rose, jasmine.
Positive Outlook, Positive Self-Image, Positive Self-Esteem
A positive outlook and self-image not only sees but focuses on the light, rather than the dark, the good rather than the bad in life. People with a positive outlook are optimistic which dispels negativity. If we can see ourselves as positive, happy, vibrant and radiant-other people will be more likely to see us in the same way.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Essential oils will subtly and gently support a positive outlook on life. They can help us find our better qualities thus strengthening our self-image and help us to build self-esteem. Vetiver, rose, geranium, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine, bergamot, cedarwood, orange, melissa, cypress, mandarin, myrtle, lavender, neroli, juniper, pine, frankincense, nutmeg.
Concentration, Alertness and Focus
Concentration is about being able to focus on the tasks ahead. Focusing, we can direct all our attention and energy to one place.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Lemon, basil, rosemary, cardamon, orange, grapefruit, peppermint, bergamot, cedarwood, eucalyptus, fennel, cypress, cinnamon, ylang ylang, juniper ginger, clove, nutmeg, pine.
Happiness and Contentment
A happy person is in a state of balance and harmony with life. It may come through accepting limitations, with forgiveness, with letting go all that holds us back, or with openness to the future.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Don't expect essential oils to create happiness and contentment for you. But they may help by reducing the tenseness and stress of unhappiness. Orange, rose, jasmine, clove, coriander, sandalwood, bergamot, ylang ylang, Roman Chamomile, lemon, neroli, frankincense, lavender, patchouli.
Joy & Peace
With joy-comes peace. Peace is a state of grace-a spiritual restfulness that reaches to every cell in the body. In peace, we embrace the stillness inside-in our bodies, minds and spirits-and are one with the still vibration of the universe.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Essential oils can help to create a peaceful environment that encourages peace within. Neroli, frankincense, melissa, angelica, Roman Chamomile, juniper, rose, jasmine.
Positive Outlook, Positive Self-Image, Positive Self-Esteem
A positive outlook and self-image not only sees but focuses on the light, rather than the dark, the good rather than the bad in life. People with a positive outlook are optimistic which dispels negativity. If we can see ourselves as positive, happy, vibrant and radiant-other people will be more likely to see us in the same way.
What Oils Could an Aromatherapist Recommend?
Essential oils will subtly and gently support a positive outlook on life. They can help us find our better qualities thus strengthening our self-image and help us to build self-esteem. Vetiver, rose, geranium, sandalwood, ylang ylang, jasmine, bergamot, cedarwood, orange, melissa, cypress, mandarin, myrtle, lavender, neroli, juniper, pine, frankincense, nutmeg.
From Linda L. Smith, director of the Institute of Spiritual Ministry and Aromatherapy, Inc.
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