#278

The meaning of life is just to be ALIVE. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. Any yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves ... Alan Watts

I spoke yesterday (#227) about being ALIVE, getting with the program, making life work for you, not following anyone's lead, but doing what makes YOU feel ALIVE. 

Everyone needs to find something that gives them that feeling, whether it is nature, sports, dancing, or cooking... it doesn't matter what it is, it's just important to give yourself over to something that emits from the soul, that brings out your inner joyful child. (I need to stress that I am not referring to any artificial means of refilling your empty joy tank) 

Life is not meant to be a struggle, it is to be a celebration. On the whole, you are here to 'do' life, not make it a menial, frustrating chore. There are times when one has to manage life's traumas and dramas... these are the trials of life, meant to be growth related. They need to be dealt with, then dropped as soon as you feel able, so you can bring yourself back to life. Don't get lost in the negative, just breathe and carry on. That's it, it can be simple if you allow it, no complications, it's up to you.

You are in charge of your life, therefore your reactions to what life throws at you are your choice. There are no problems, unless you, yourself create them. You can choose to be devastated, scared to death, or calm and secure in the knowledge that you are OK. There is nothing beyond you, you are holding all the cards, you make your life exactly what you want it to be. Make your stumbling blocks into building blocks and construct the life you want.

"All problems are an illusion of the mind" Eckhart Tolle

#277

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come ALIVE and then go and do that; because what the world needs is people who have come ALIVE.

Be alive....join the human race..wake up! Participation is required. 

As we wander through life half asleep, not noticing anything around us, we are missing the the whole point. We fill our lives with 'busy'ness, running back and forth, to and fro and basically accomplishing nothing. We all need to just calm down, nothing is worth ruining your health and well being. I know it's a leap to suggest meditation to many of you, but some relaxation technique would certainly help. 

We need to find some method of stress reduction, some method of  relaxation, enjoyment, something soothing, that brings some relief. Perhaps a run, a swim, a walk in the woods, something out of the house, away from the technology. We need something that makes us feel ALIVE. (during my walks in the woods, I have seen many people, running and chatting on their phones. They are doing the obligatory run, but have no awareness whatsoever of their surroundings, of the scents and scenes in the woods) Leave the technology at home and be present, be one with nature.

Stress is the greatest cause of illness/death, and we are all aware of the multitude of causes of stress in today's world. You really don't need a 'near death' experience to make you feel ALIVE, do you? The stress WILL manifest into disease if left unattended.

Do what makes you feel ALIVE. Whatever you choose...shake off the worries and stress of your world and start to really live. 

#276

A child can teach an adult three things:

to be happy for no reason

to always be busy with something

and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.

Paulo Coelho

Children are so happy and free, they really enjoy whatever they are doing. Even if they happen to get upset, all you have to do is pull a face or rattle something and they are happy again. 

They are 'ON' at all times, never stopping until they are sound asleep.

They know how to demand what they want, in no uncertain terms; and they just happen to be so cute that they usually get it. How could anyone possibly resist?

I, personally, think there is a lot more we can learn from children, like complete abandonment of self in any situation.... running, jumping, laughing, playing, they put every emotion right 'out there' for the world to see, without concern for how it will be received by anyone....no hesitation whatsoever. They are like spontaneous combustion from the second their feet hit the floor in the morning. 

Yes they can teach us a lot, if we are not too busy being parents to take notice. 

Children also love it when their parents or grandparents play with them. They enjoy FUN and they are the perfect teachers in case you have forgotten how. As you are enjoying the little ones maybe you could release a little stress and play a game of soccer, hop scotch, marbles or even tag. They are only young and innocent for a short period of time, so leave your worries on the doorstep and run off and play.

'You have a lifetime to work but children are only young once' Polish Proverb

#275

The world doesn't need saving. It just needs you to open up your heart and be love. Daniel Nielsen

Below is a quote from my perceptive friend, Sandy Dow-@sandydow.com, from one of her recent blogs; in which she displays the compassion and love with which she navigates the world. Thank you, Sandy

"The earth will look after itself, it is much stronger, wiser and more resilient than we can imagine. The earth has a way or correcting and re-balancing herself, although we may not like what it looks like. We have  populated her, and live where she breathes fire, blows hurricanes and shakes to adjust her core.

A Shamanic teacher taught me that the earth can toss us off anytime she wants, she is strong and no matter what, she will endure." Often her fury is a reflection of us as a species. We, as a species are becoming ill emotionally and spiritually. It is time for us to look at our earth, it's elements and creatures as our teachers. They are here to show us how to live more consciously toward each other and to her. To do that we have to take responsibility for our personal healing so we can move slower and create deeper love and connection to each other and our land. And no longer see our earth or ourselves as broken."

We are all one with the earth, the flora and fauna. In today's world,  we have turned our backs on what really matters and are looking everywhere for what we think we need....we have strayed from the basics and turned our attention from spiritual matters to material accumulation. 

Our source of power has shifted to 'what we can get' instead of what 'we have' or what 'we can give'. We have lost our appreciation factor AND our gratitude. We need to be concerned about healing ourselves, which will, in turn heal our planet. There is no need to look outside yourself to heal anything, it's all within YOU.

#274
"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards. They try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first, be who you really are, then do what you really need to do in order to have what you want." Margaret Young

First you need to be who you really are.... I think a large majority of us have had this backwards. Most of us hopped right to it, immediately school was finished and started our lives of accumulation. This seemed to be the symbol that we were successful, that we were OK. There was no time to think about who we were, we were working with the program that had been installed. 

I remember all the kids in the 60's that went off to find themselves; and the negative comments of the adults concerning their laziness, how they were drop outs and a burden on society. Well, I think those words can now be eaten, it appears that they were the ones that knew what they were doing. 

Comments such as these are only showing the fear of the adults of the time. Their trepidation was that their children would not make it in the world, that they were not following the rules and that maybe they would end up having to support them. These are common reactions when when a person outwardly expresses a desire to be who they are. People find this hard to cope with. They have expectations of their children, and probably haven't given much thought to what that child wants.... such was the thinking of that generation.  

I think we now know that inner exploration could be the most important thing you do. If you don't do it when you are young, you will, at some point, feel the urge to find out who you really are. What a wondrous journey!

#273

WITS END...

The idiom at wits’ end means to be very upset, or at the limits of one’s emotional or mental limitations.

The phrase originated in the King James Version of the Holy Bible in Psalms 107: 27. “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.” The verse is speaking about people who go back and forth in their devotion to God. 

The archaic definition of wit was knowledge. So the phrase meant the people were at the end of their knowledge, at the point where they must rely on faith. Grammarist.com

Therefore when you reach your wits' end, you have no further knowledge to proceed with on your quest to solve this problem. You have no idea what to do. You have gone as far as you can go, tried every tactic at your disposal, depleted your options. 

This, then, is the time to let it go, give it up to the Universe.  Finally, we reach our wits' end, there is nothing more that we can do, and we let it go. Once you are out of your own way, the Universe is able to step in and take care of it. It will be solved, maybe not in the way you thought you wanted it, but solved, nonetheless. You will always get what you need,  whatever is necessary for your growth. The Universe is there to help you, and whenever you reach your wits' end you only need to ask for intervention. You are not alone, you have the entire Universe on your side.

#272

"I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part" 

Shirley MacLaine

I couldn't agree more, Shirley.... This is exactly the way to look at life. We are merely actors, playing our parts. Each one of us has scripted our lives before we arrived on this planet and we are role playing. We are in charge of our own lives, our own results... you can manipulate your life in whatever manner you choose. That being said; you are given a life and it is up to you to make it good or bad, easy or hard. 

We encounter obstacles on our path to receive the growth lessons we requested. How we handle these obstacles, accepting or fighting tooth and nail, determines how easy our life will be. All of this is to help us to understand, to open us up to receive and to pave the way on our path. Everything is important, nothing happens by chance. Your life can be a wonderful play or a tragedy, it's always up to you and you can change it anytime you like.

"We are not victims of the world, we are victims of the way we see the world" Shirley MacLaine

Just do the best you can with what you have been given. Relish your life, love those around you, be kind to your fellow beings, the animals and the earth, and enjoy your time on the stage.

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players"  William Shakespeare

#271

Stop swimming across oceans for people who won't jump a puddle for you.

There is a song from the 60's that seems to pop into my head every so often, as a reminder or a warning. The song is THE SNAKE, by Al Wilson

It's a story of a women that finds a 'poor half frozen snake' and takes it home and nurses it back to health. She is quite taken with the snake and treats him with tender loving care. After some time, when the snake has largely recovered; she is sitting with the snake, stroking him, kissing him and holding him tight. And it is at this time that rather than thank the women for all she has done, the snake chooses to bite her. This is the last verse of the song

"I saved you," cried that women

"And you've bit me even, why?

You know your bite is poisonous and now I'm going to die"

"Oh shut up, silly women," said that reptile with a grin

"You knew damn well I was a snake before you took me in."

There it is... this is the defining moment. Who is delusional in this scenario? We often pin all our hopes and dreams on people that are unable to be what we want them to be. All people are who they are, we cannot make them into something else. Your choices are to accept them as they are or detach from them. That is it. 

You need to take a look at what is missing in you, if you want someone so bad that you are ignoring who they are. Once a snake, always a snake. The basic person doesn't change. Each individual is responsible for their own changes, if and when they wish to undertake that challenge. You cannot change anyone. 

And, never chase after someone, if they love you, they will walk with you.

#270

We get exactly the experience we need to have by having; either a new lesson to learn or a coming-around again of something we missed.

You will always get what you need, not necessarily what you want.

THIS is the school of hard knocks, right here on earth... this is what you are here for, to learn and grow. So there WILL be lessons. Not getting what you want, could be just what you need. You are not being punished when you don't get what you want, in fact it may be the best thing that ever happened to you. You are being guided to what you really need to enhance your growth. 

If you are receiving the same lesson over and over, or the same type of person keeps coming into your life, it is time to reflect. There is something you are not understanding and you WILL keep repeating the lesson until you get it.

You may wonder why the universe won't just relieve your pain and give you what you want. You are a nice person don't you deserve whatever it may be that you want? Of course you do, but if that isn't taking place, you have unlocked a lesson. The Universe is here to help you, to assist you at all times, but this is about YOU. If your problems were all fixed for you, you wouldn't learn anything at all, which defeats the whole purpose of your existence.

To quote the Rolling Stones:

"You can't always get what you want

But if you try, sometimes you just might find

You just might find

You get what you need."

#269

Everything was impossible until someone did it. 

"It always seems impossible until its done." Nelson Mandela

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'" Audrey Hepburn

Many things seem impossible, sometimes, just too far out of our reach. We can never get that job, that house, take that vacation, or whatever it is that we want. 

There is nothing we can do about so many issues that we face day to day,  it is simply beyond our capabilities. We are like hamsters on a wheel. Running and getting nowhere.   We have absolutely no control over anything!

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right." Henry Ford

Many people feel hopeless and cut off from the rest of society; feeling as though they have no choices and too many hurdles to jump. Life is impossible. If you feel you don't have choices, then you don't. Turn it around, and start believing that there is always a choice, in fact, several choices for every circumstance. Nothing is impossible. As the quote states: everything was impossible until someone did it. 

Believe that you can do it, and you will do it. You don't know until you try, and try, and try. Don't ever give up.

"You're here for a good time, not a long time." - Trooper 

You can do anything you want to do, you are amazing.

#268

Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.

Margaret Shepherd

leap of faith noun

an act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved. google.com

“Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~Unknown

Sometimes, your plans just do not work out, everything you have worked toward is crashing down and you find yourself at a crossroads. What to do? There are pros and cons to any path, and you are unsure. This is the time... either you will do nothing or you will choose. This is your leap of faith. Sometimes you really NEED to step outside your comfort zone and take a risk. You may fall flat on your face, OR, you may fly.... You are putting yourself 'out there' and going 'for it', with no idea where you will end up.. Good for you!

Try something new, you don't need a crisis to motivate you. You have dreams and ideas, don't die with your dreams still in you. Explore the world, your town, your mind, explore everything you possibly can. You are here to live your life and when you find yourself at a crossroads; it is your opportunity to take a chance on something totally different. 

Start swinging higher and higher and take that leap..... have faith that you will find a soft place to land....that will get your heart beating!

#267

Anytime you feel negative emotion, stop and say: Something is important here; otherwise I would not be feeling this negative emotion. What is it I want?

This is the Process of Pivoting

Whenever you recognize that you are feeling a negative emotion (it is really that your are feeling the lack of harmony with something that you want), the obvious thing for you to do is to stop and say, I'm feeling negative emotion, which means I am not in harmony with something that I want. What do I want?  Abraham Hicks

"The underlying philosophy of Abraham-Hicks is that we’re here in the world to feel good. We have an underlying freedom to choose how we want to live, and, they say, that as we make living with joy our top priority, we’ll experience an expansion of our spirit and growth toward higher and higher ideals. Now, as we seek this joy and leverage our freedom to choose, learning to “pivot” is incredibly powerful." Brian Johnson

The important step here is the PAUSE 

When you feel an negative emotion... STOP and recognize what you are feeling; identify the importance of this, and what it means to you. 

And then ascertain what it is that YOU want. 

The fact that you have taken the time to acknowledge the emotion, and take action is immeasurably powerful. You are getting in touch with your inner self. Add to that the fact that you can just turn it around from a negative to a positive and you are on your way to feeling good.

#266

Your vibe attracts your tribe.

Your vibration sends out your intentions to the universe, but it also attracts your peeps.

Law of Attraction

Demonstrates how we create the things, events and people that come into our lives. Our thoughts, feelings, words and actions produce energies which, in turn attract like energies. negative energies attract negative energies and positive energies attract positive energies.

You can see by the law of attraction, that your vibrations are bringing you more of what you are giving out; and you will attract the same type of people as you are. I mean, the person you really are, not necessarily the person you put forth for the world, or the person you think you are. If you are kind, compassionate and loving, that is who you will attract... people of the same ilk.

If you are continually attracting the 'wrong' type of person, what are you giving out? You may think you are kind, compassionate and loving, but if you are attracting people that only want to take advantage of you, then that is not what is being received. It is difficult to know exactly what you are vibrating except by examining your life, your circumstances, and your associations. If things are not positive, there are still negative vibrations emitting from you. There is still some 'stuff' lingering that needs to be worked on. 

It's all part of the journey, eventually your tribe will consist of only those people that love, honour and respect you. This will happen when you do the same.

#265

"Dear Human...You've got it all wrong. You didn't come her to master unconditional love. You came here to learn personal love. Universal love. Messy love. Sweaty love. Crazy love. Broken love. Whole love. Infused with divinity. Lived through the grace of stumbling.  Demonstrated through the beauty of messing up. Often. You didn't come here to be perfect. You already are. You came here to be gorgeously human. Flawed and fabulous. And then to rise again into remembering. But unconditional love? Stop telling that story. Love, in truth, doesn't need ANY other adjectives. It doesn't require modifiers. It doesn't require the condition of perfection. It only asks that you show up. And do your best. That you stay present and feel fully. That you shine and fly and laugh and cry and hurt and heal and fall and get back up and play and work and live and die as YOU. It's enough. It's plenty." Courtney A.Walsh

Isn't that good news? How wonderful! Don't you think? You only have to show up and do your best. You are already perfect, so that shouldn't be too hard. I love this quote, I love all the delicious kinds of love I get to learn. I love that I get to be gorgeously human, flawed and fabulous. I adore the whole thing. 

We are all enough, just as we are. We are here to learn lessons, love, laugh and cry and then go home. What a sweet deal. 

Do you believe this is authentic? 

Does it ring true for you? 

Should you 'google' it and make sure it isn't a scam? 

You do what you need to do... the fact is, it IS as simple as that. 

That is ALL you have to do, just be YOU.

#264

You don't have to disrespect and insult others simply to hold your own ground. If you do, that shows how shaky your own position is. Red Haircrow 

You don't need to knock others down to build yourself up.

If you are feeling 'less than', the onus is on you, don't take it out on others. No one has to, or wants to put up with temper tantrums, bad moods, excuses, name calling or belittling. That's what bullies are made of. There is something within that needs work.

If your main objective is to 'win' at all costs, if you would rather be right than be happy or if you are frequently creating an angry scene (with all that entails); it is a signal to take a look at these issues. 

If you jump up and down trying to prove that you are right, or demand that everyone accept that you are right, or display angry, aggressive, or threatening behaviour to ensure that you are right, there is a problem.

So with all that on the table, how do you handle a crisis, a major incident or a simple situation? Take a deep breathe. This is about you, if you are still blaming someone else, you are the problem, not the solution. You need to buck up and be accountable for whatever 'stuff' you are hanging onto, whatever 'stuff' you are blaming and whatever disrespect and insults you are slinging. 

Disrespect and insults are not OK, there is no justification for either. It is never the way to make yourself look or feel better. You have to love yourself, then you have no reason to 'look down' on other people. When you feel good about yourself, you will feel good about others.

Never look down on someone, unless you are helping them up.

#263

You have a unique message to deliver, a unique song to sing, a unique act of love to bestow. This message, this song and this act of love have been entrusted exclusively to the one and only you.  John Powell

YOU are unique, there is no other YOU anywhere on this planet. Everything you do or say is distinctive, it makes you who you are. 

There are reasons why you arrived on this planet in the form you have grown into; no matter what you think of the results, you are a part of the plan. Your talents, your attitude and everything that makes you remarkable is part of the reason you are here right now. 

You may not feel as though you are making a significant difference, but you will to someone. YOU, being YOU will make a huge difference in someone's life and that, will manifest into making a difference in your own life. 

Your background provided the foundation for your perspective; and the challenges and successes in your life insure that your outlook is individual to you. You are a key player, as we all are, in the scheme of things. You are important, just the way you are.

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”  Dr. Suess

#262

When you start relaxing, & trusting in your worthiness, which means expecting good things to come to you, then you open all kinds of doors that you had barred. And you let all kinds of unseen forces assist you in ways that you were preventing before.

Abraham-Hicks

Everything is available to you and for you. 

If you don't find this statement ringing true, it may have something to do with the negativity you are feeling. 

Perhaps you have reached an all time personal low and simply cannot imagine anything good ever happening again. Well, the personal lows WILL continue throughout your life and they WILL get even lower, unless you change your attitude. You get what you give. 

You have beliefs that are holding you back and contributing to your attitude... they need to be dealt with. You are attracting what you are feeling, thinking and saying, so if things are not running smoothly, it is obvious that you are giving out negativity. Reach for the joy, compassion and love and see how your world changes. Reach for what you want, give out positive vibes and they will come back to you.

"Any time you have physical discomfort of any kind, whether you call it emotional, or physical pain within your body, it always, always means the same thing: "I have a desire that is summoning Energy, but I have a belief that is not allowing so I've created resistance in my body." The solution, every single time, to the releasing of discomfort or pain... is the relaxation and the reaching for the feeling or relief."  Abraham

#261

Everything is energy and that's all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy, this is physics!

Albert Einstein 

So there you are.... this is not some New Age philosophy, it is physics. You get what you give. If you want a more joyful existence, then have a more joyful existence. Live the joy, find whatever gives you joy and immerse yourself in it. BE ONE WITH THE JOY!

I know it sounds too easy, it couldn't possibly work... (Not with that attitude, it won't.) Of course it will work, it's physics. Perhaps, you have a mind like mine that has little or no comprehension of physics. I simply did not 'get it' in school, no understanding whatsoever, it's far too left brain for me. But, thankfully Albert has laid it all out right here. 

Match the frequency of the reality you want.  It is your life, your reality, you can have whatever you want, but there is no whining allowed. You don't want any negative energy in the mix, that will only confuse the matter. Muster up all the positive emotions you have ever experienced, all the happy memories, the birth of your babies, your wedding, your first kiss, or your first car, depending on who you are. Anything that makes you feel good. 

You cannot help but get that reality.

This is the energy you need to manifest the reality you are yearning for. Match the frequency and you can't help but receive it. 

Breathe, Believe, Receive   

#260

Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy. If you aren't being treated with love and respect, check your price tag. Maybe you've marked yourself down. It's YOU who tells people what your worth is. Get off of the clearance rack and get behind the glass where they keep the valuables.

Pain makes you stronger. Tears make you braver. And heartbreak makes you wiser. So thank the past for a better future.

You deserve the very best. You don't need to 'put up' with anyone that doesn't truly love and respect you. It isn't always easy to know who the people are that are going to break your heart. But, each heartbreak is a lesson. 

The problem is, projecting your expectations onto people you love.... 

You love them, you would do anything for them, you are trustworthy, loyal and true and you expect the same from them. This may be unrealistic. You are simply projecting your expectations on them. BUT.. They are who they are. They will do what they do.   And if you think about it, it is not a surprise. You just didn't want to believe that they weren't the person you wanted them to be. When someone tells you or shows you who they are, believe them, you cannot change them. 

The other problem is, self-esteem..... 
If you love yourself, you would never tolerate anything less from another. You need to believe in yourself and what you have to offer. If someone doesn't appreciate all you are, that is not your issue. They have come into your life to teach you something. It may be to help you to realize your value, and that you are deserving of all the happiness in the world. 

“A heart given freely is the most vulnerable and selfless thing one can offer another human being. It can be as fragile and needy as a newly born infant, or as solid and self-supporting as a granite pillar, yet it is the hands of the recipient that determines its ultimate fate.” ― 

Mark W Boyer

LIFE OPENS UP WHEN YOU DO!

#259

Life is like a road trip... enjoy each day and don't carry too much baggage.

Life isn't meant to be a struggle, and yet, most of us are dragging a substantial sack of rocks around with us everywhere we go. All our anger, resentments and past hurts are never far from our thoughts and actions. Isn't it getting heavy, hauling around all that extra baggage? Wouldn't you like to be relieved of this burden? Yes, you would..... 

Well, the question then is, who is making you hold on so tight to all these issues? Who is the boss of you? How is dragging such a heavy load helping you? Is it serving you today in any way? Years ago, perhaps, this was your protection.... never allowing anyone to take advantage. But today, is it still working for you? Today it is just a burden, excess baggage, not necessary for this journey of life. Why not check that baggage, you don't need it anymore. 

And just like that, the burden can be lifted. If you want to enjoy each day, then enjoy each day; the choice is up to you. However you think or act is a choice. Sometimes you just have to take a risk and do what you want to do. It is your life, your journey and you don't need permission to live it.

"It's hard to be clear about who you are when you are carrying around a bunch of baggage from the past. I've learned to let go and move more quickly into the next place." Angelina Jolie

#258

Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don't have to like it....it's just easier if you do.

Byron Katie

Life is simple, it was never meant to be a struggle. Everyone has exactly the life they want. We create the life ourselves. We won't let things alone, we are in there planning, setting goals, pushing ourselves, taking on too much; when all that is required is to allow the universe to do it's job. We need to get out of our own way. Let things be as they are instead of how you want them to be.

Things will happen as they happen, your only job is to accept what is and move forward. No one is out to get you, no matter how it feels, that's not how it works. Nothing is happening to you, you have chosen your path and included this stumbling block, in order to grow. It's all about your reaction to the bad times and/or the good times. You can make them whatever you want them to be. Your reaction is your choice.

Everything happens at exactly the right moment. So there is no need for fussing and fretting, my friend, when the time is right everything else will be too. You never need to look back and wish you had done something sooner or worry about how much time you wasted, because all things happened as they were meant to.

You don't have to like it, you only need to accept it. It's easier if you do... you don't need to continue to challenge anything. It will all work out in the end, if it hasn't worked out, it's not the end. Trust the process.

#257

That night she told her gentle friends, "I would rather lead a simple life than dine on riches, and live in fear."  Richard Scarry

That's right, Richard Scarry, the prolific writer of children's books. When I spotted this quote it, quite literally, smacked me between the eyes. What did he mean by that? It seems to be implying that people with money are afraid, living in fear. Is that true? Why is that? Why would having money create a life of fear? Are you only afraid if you are rich? Do poor people ever feel afraid? Why would Richard Scarry put a line like this in a children's book? 

Money always seems to bring out the worst in people, their greed and selfishness, negative emotions that are fear based. I feel that you are afraid or you are not. If you are fear driven and happen to have lots of money or fear driven with very little money; you will have the same results. Fear begets fear. 

If you are afraid of losing what you have accumulated, it shows a lack of trust in YOU. You are deserving and worthy of having all the universe has to offer. You have always received what you need, you are valuable. You are running a program in your mind telling you that 'money is the root of all evil' or some similar form of nonsense.

F. E. A. R. False Evidence Appears Real. Fear is a reaction, a choice. You, as a reasonable adult, have the choice; to be afraid or NOT be afraid. 

The original question remains.... why would Richard Scarry put a line like this in a children's book? Children will perpetuate the fears of their parents, or in this case, perhaps Richard Scarry's fears. Don't follow the crowd, life isn't meant to be a struggle. Enjoy the fruits of your labour and be grateful for all that you have.

#256
Happy Canada Day! 
July 1/15 
Our flag is 50 years old today

We all have a soft spot for our home country, whether we realize it or not. Sometimes you become aware of just how attached you are when you go on an extended trip somewhere else, anywhere else. It's all glitz and glam to start with, but eventually, the longing starts making itself known. Finally, the day comes when you get on the plane to go HOME. You will notice the feelings of satisfaction and joy as the plane lands. There is a comfort in belonging.

Canada is my home, the true north strong and free. Canada is a country, consisting of ten provinces and three territories, in the northern part of the continent of North America. We are a diverse, multicultural, bilingual country, that enjoys hockey, lacrosse and soccer. We have a rich heritage, more lakes than the rest of the world combined and Michael Buble, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as natives. You can't beat that eh?

Today is Canada's 148th Birthday. It's a very young country, but  a proud nation.  

Happy Birthday, Canada!