Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Walk for Autism

Random observations from the Walk for Autism, by Balanced Living guest columnist Paul Sherlock . . .

On my travels to the walk:
I witnessed an interaction between a guard dog that was protecting an auto repair shop and a child in a stroller being pushed by his dad in front of the fence around the building. The dog got up and wagging his tail greeted the small child - as if to say I won’t bark at you, you are young and innocent so I won’t scare you. To me it was a moment of vulnerability and protection, the dog could have easily done what he was trained to do which is to be defensive and bark and growl at people approaching in case they might be an intruder, which may have ended up traumatizing the child, but the dog must have sensed differently and instead chose to be friendly.

At the walk:
The energy of community and love at the autism walk- people united behind a cause. The energy fed upon itself: each individual’s energy being enhanced by the positive energy from all the people around them. People from all backgrounds: political beliefs, faiths, and nationalities united behind one common cause. Committed to helping loved ones and those born. The ability to unite, to have a cause greater than our differences gives me faith that we can endure and prosper as a country and member of the global community. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the walk.

After the walk:
I sat down to lunch with my family and I had a civil discourse about politics with people who don’t share my beliefs. In the past these conversations usually deteriorated into arguments since we are generally diametrically opposite in our beliefs. But what I observed today was a much more productive discourse because we were honest in the assessments of our respective candidates and their flaws. We abstained from playing politics and defending our candidate without exception simply because he is our guy. This more honest interchange of thoughts I feel helped lead to a better understanding of one another’s beliefs. We won’t change each other’s opinion but at least the honesty helped to promote greater acceptance and lessen the animosity towards one another.

And after lunch:
The idea of us being up front about the flaws of the candidate my family and I support got me to thinking about the political games most people play. This gamesmanship is the refusal to ever admit that you or your candidate is wrong. This gives you the candidate an illusion of being a decisive leader and prevents their opponent from gaining ammunition that can and will be used against them. Yet when we look back at some of the historically and universally admired leaders, it is the honesty with themselves and with others that they have about their humanness that makes them so revered. We look at the humility on display by the Dalai Lama or Mahatma Gandhi - their willingness to admit that they do not know all the answers, to the self doubt experienced by Mother Theresa and Abraham Lincoln about some of the tough choices they made in their lives, and rather than being repulsed by such struggles in a leader, we embrace them further. These leaders and those that they influenced knew they weren’t perfect and as leaders they accepted and even embraced this imperfection as part of their being; enabling people to better accept them as one of their own

Therefore I would love to see a politician in this day and time be a little more disarming, be willing to deal with the fall out of being honest about their doubts and concerns and see if people might not gravitate towards them. Leadership is not always about being decisive. Leadership is about taking stock of the situation and admitting that one is human and will make mistakes. A huge part of the charisma that is essential in leaders is that people see you not as being better than everyone else but instead that you are just like everyone else- ordinary men and women doing extraordinary things.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Quote for the Weekend


"Anyway, I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in this big field of rye and all. Thousands of little kids, and nobody's around - nobody big, I mean - except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to catch everybody if they start to go over the cliff - I mean if they're running and they don't look where they're going I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's all I do all day. I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be." -- Holden Caulfield, The Catcher in the Rye

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Quote for the Weekend


The Prayer To Our Father
(in the original Aramaic)

Abwûn
"Oh
Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,

d'bwaschmâja
who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration.

Nethkâdasch schmach
May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest.

Têtê malkuthach.
Your Heavenly Domain approaches.

Nehwê tzevjânach aikâna d'bwaschmâja af b'arha.
Let Your will come true - in the universe (all that vibrates)
just as on earth (that is material and dense).

Hawvlân lachma d'sûnkanân jaomâna.
Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need,

Waschboklân chaubên wachtahên aikâna
daf chnân schwoken l'chaijabên.

detach the fetters of faults that bind us, (karma)
like we let go the guilt of others.

Wela tachlân l'nesjuna
Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations),

ela patzân min bischa.
but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose.

Metol dilachie malkutha wahaila wateschbuchta l'ahlâm almîn.
From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act,
the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age.

Amên.
Sealed in trust, faith and truth.
(I confirm with my entire being)

Friday, September 19, 2008

Holistic Showcase planned


You are invited to a Holistic Showcase featuring Polarity for Wellness, Karma Essence and BodyWork by Michelle, on Wednesday October 1st, 2008 1 pm - 4 pm and 6 pm - 9 pm At the Lexington Ridge Clubhouse in Medina (map and directions) All who attend will be eligible to win a gift. Meet Beth Albrecht and experience Polarity!! FREE 10 minute demos of Foot Reflexology! Beth Albrecht, PhD, APP, is a polarity practitioner, holistic health educator, and public speaker. Reflexology is part of the Polarity system, a natural-healing energy therapy. Polarity is deeply relaxing and is an excellent way to promote your body's ability to heal. Its goal is to decrease stress and improve ones health. Coupons for a discount on 1 hour polarity sessions will be available!

Karma Essence, owned by Medina resident Rosalyn Smith Karma Essence products include unique artisan handmade jewelry, candles, relaxing/energizing essential oils and soaps, eco-friendly journals, purses, bags & accessories, affirmation boxes, books and yoga items. Their products are local, national and fair trade artisan made. In keeping with a holistic mind set, being aware and conscious with our mind and body, all products are natural, pure, and safe to use. Karma Essence is full of wonderful gifts to give to yourself or to create a one of a kind gift to share with others. All Karma Essence products will be available for purchase. For a sneak peek check out www.KarmaEssence.com.

Michelle Bunn, of Body Work by Michelle, is a Licensed Massage Therapist in Medina. She features relaxation massage, therapeutic massage, sports massage & prenatal massage. She also does corporate on-site chair massage, as well as, at home parties with a chair or table. Michelle's philosophy of massage is to keep it affordable for everyone so that massage may be a part of your regular healthcare routine. Michelle will be featuring 50 cent a minute sample massages and selling gift certificates and package specials.

Don't miss this event!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Studio e opens its doors


Studio e, a new energy education practice headed by Fairlawn psychologist and life coach Jane Lehr Eckert, PhD, formally opened its doors (left) yesterday with a blessing of the facility and open house. "We have created an amazing learning community with a goal of promoting health and wellness through the study of human energy systems," said Dr. Eckert. In addition to Dr. Eckert, the Studio e facility will include certified energy practitioners and other highly trained professionals offering a wide range of energy modalities including Passion Test, Soul Collage, healing touch and yoga, among other things. For more information, visit the studio e web site or call 330-808-8558.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Quote for the Weekend


"Beliefs have the awesome potential to create or destroy. … Learn to choose the beliefs that empower you; create convictions that drive you in the direction of the destiny that calls to the highest within you. Your family, your business, your community, and your country deserve no less." — Anthony Robbins

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Green energy = 2 million jobs


As America confronts the current energy crisis, a new report released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and partner labor and environmental groups shows that the U.S. can create two million jobs by investing in clean energy technologies that will strengthen the economy and fight global warming. The report finds that investing in clean energy would create four times as many jobs as spending the same amount of money within the oil industry.

"This new report shows that investing in clean energy is a win-win solution. Shifting to clean energy will put more people to work, provide consumers relief at the pump, help reduce global warming pollution and revitalize our economy at a time when many Americans are hurting," said Frances Beinecke, President of NRDC.

"Green Recovery - A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy" analyzes the potential for a two year $100 billion green investment program - which would be comparable to the size of the April 2008 federal stimulus package dedicated to consumer rebates - to be an engine for job creation in the U.S. This type of investment is a component of a broader clean energy strategy to create a low-carbon economy and reduce global warming pollutions.

Read more here.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Environmental songs


The Christian Science Monitor's Bright Green Blog lists the top 11 environmental songs of all time. I don't want to spoil it by listing them for you. Just check it out yourself!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Quote for the Weekend


"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him." -- Buddha

Thursday, September 4, 2008

The Dhammapada


The Dhammapada consists of 423 verses in Pali uttered by the Buddha on some 305 occasions for the benefit of a wide range of human beings. These sayings were selected and compiled into one book as being worthy of special note on account of their beauty and relevance for moulding the lives of future generations of Buddhists. They are divided into 26 chapters and the stanzas are arranged according to subject matter. Here is a nice version, illustrated and with helpful explanations and guidance.