announcing postcards-from-nowhere.com!

just found out blogger is discontinuing the service that allowed me to host my blog at karenalonge.com.  so as of ten minutes ago, postcards from nowhere has a new home:  http://www.postcards-from-nowhere.com/.  come by and say hello!  all of my previous entries are there. 

this url here will remain active for another month or so, and then it should automatically redirect you to the new place if you forget how to get there.  

I'm sure there will be some bugs for me to work out, so please let me know if you encounter any problems.  You'll need to resubscribe at the new site to continue receiving email notification of new posts. When you get there, look for the subscribe box in the sidebar on the right. 

Also, I'd love to hear what you think of the colors, readability, layout, etc.  There were so many wonderful options to choose from!  (This green one here is a cookie cutter template that I could not alter.  I don't actually like green very much ...)

wisdom from alan watts

I'm reading a ragged, coffeestained paperback edition of The Wisdom of Insecurity by Alan Watts, courtesy of the Boulder Public Library. Gosh this guy has a way with words!

After a very clear and convincing argument that we simply cannot identify an experiencer who is separate from the experience itself, he goes on to say:

The real reason why human life can be so utterly exasperating and frustrating is not because there are facts called death, pain, fear or hunger. The madness of the thing is that when such facts are present, we circle, buzz, writhe, and whirl, trying to get the "I" out of the experience. We pretend that we are amoebas, and try to protect ourselves from life by splitting ourselves in two. Sanity, wholeness, and integration lie in the realization that we are not divided, that man and his present experience are one, and that no separate "I" or mind can be found.

And ... (bolding is mine for emphasis)

If, on the other hand, you are aware of fear, you realize that, because this feeling is now yourself, escape is impossible. You see that calling it "fear" tells you little or nothing about it, for the comparison and the naming is based not on past experience, but on memory. You have then no choice but to be aware of it with your whole being as an entirely new experience. Indeed, every experience is in this sense new, and at every moment in our lives we are in the midst of the new and the unknown. At this point, you receive the experience without resisting it or naming it, and the whole sense of conflict between "I" and the present reality vanishes.

And finally ...

When, on the other hand, you realize that you live in, that indeed you are this moment now, and no other, that apart from this there is no past and no future, you must relax and taste [life] to the full, whether it be pleasure or pain. At once it becomes obvious why this universe exists, why conscious beings have been produced, why sensitive organs, why space, time and change. The whole problem of justifying nature, of trying to make life mean something in terms of its future, disappears utterly. Obviously, it all exists for this moment. It is a dance, and when you are dancing you are not intent on getting somewhere. You go round and round, but you are not under the illusion that you are pursuing something, or fleeing from the jaws of hell.

I find myself circling around these teachings, coming ever closer to just diving all the way in. Today on my morning walk, I was almost brought to tears by the overwhelming joy of simply being able to breathe.

I still feel separated from my experience most of the time, but I think the borders are becoming a bit more diffuse. Not that it matters, really. As long as I sense borders, I can fully embrace and explore the experience of having edges.

And if they happen to drop away, I can fully experience what it feels like to blend. It's all the same when it comes right down to it ... just greet each experience with awareness.

There's no hierarchy of experience -- none more spiritual or evolved than any other -- although some are certainly more pleasurable. Nothing I need to earn or deserve. Just a moment at a time to be lived. And if I miss one for whatever reason, there will be another right on its heels.

dancing inmates

Somehow I missed their first performance -- of Thriller, apparently.
Not sure how great it is for morale to have a bunch of inmates singing they don't really care about us in their heads constantly, but still, this is a pretty cool vid.

an intriguing attempt to reduce poverty

I found this to be an interesting approach to a complex issue: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec09/mexico_12-29.html

Here's an excerpt:

Started 12 years ago by the Mexican government, the program, called Oportunidades -- or Opportunities -- gives a small subsidy every other month to poor mothers, like Santo Domingo resident Sixta Orcasita.

But there is a catch, one that separates Oportunidades from traditional welfare plans. Orcasita and millions of mothers like her across Mexico must first sign a contract to raise healthier, better-educated children.

Orcasita has six children. Both she and her husband, Eraclio Bello, never made it past grade school. To get their cash, they must keep their youngest children, 15-year-old Karina and 13-year-old Alex, in school. They must also bring them in for regular checkups at the health clinic.

And Sixta Orcasita must participate in monthly nutrition classes, so she can cook healthier meals for the family. Attendance is monitored, and the monthly allotment of cash, about $60 for each child, plus a monthly food stipend, will be quickly pulled if mothers fail to get their children to school or clinic. The goal is to break the cycle of poverty.

morning blessing

just heard about this site in an email newsletter: http://www.angelaperegoff.blogspot.com/

Check out this simple and beautiful blessing for moving awareness out of the mind into the heart. It's from her post on Friday January 15th:

Place the palm of one hand on the forehead over the 3rd eye.

Affirm 3 times, "I am clear."

Take a deep breath in and let it out with a sigh.

Now move your hand and place it over your heart.

Affirm 3 times, "I am here."


*********

stacking the deck for compatibility

Here's the post I mentioned about William Glasser's book, Staying Together. It seems to be out of print, but from what I can gather, it's been updated and morphed into sort of a newer edition, called Getting Together and Staying Together: Solving the Mystery of Marriage. As always, this post is about my interpretation of his work, so please read his book for a completely accurate representation of his theories.

William Glasser is the founder of Control Theory, sometimes called Choice Theory, which suggests that we really only have control over ourselves and no one else. So if we think changes need to be made in a relationship, we are the one who is responsible for making them. He suggests that all human behavior is an attempt to satisfy these five basic needs: survival, love, power, freedom, and fun.

My colleague and I created our own parenting model, Inspiring Connections, which parallels his theory in a way that is sort of spooky. We also identified what we call Five Core Needs: Autonomy, Basic Survival, Connection, Contribution, and Creativity. In our workshops, we teach parents how to help their children learn constructive and socially appropriate strategies for meeting these needs. So his theory makes a lot of sense to me.

What I learned from Glasser is that this model can provide significant insight into relationship dynamics when we realize that each of us prioritize these needs differently. He suggests rating the importance of each need for each person on a scale of 1-5, and then comparing them to determine whether a partnership seems to have genuine long term potential.

It was pretty enlightening for me to map out my priorities and compare them with my best estimate of the priorities of my past relationship partners. I could see pretty clearly what I had missed while I was blinded by love -- that some priorities are inherently more compatible than others. Although there are always exceptions, in most cases love is simply not enough to overcome deeply mismatched need priorities.

For example, I have a very high survival need, so I won't be a good match for someone who doesn't. I'm just not a big physical risk taker. Odds are I would be constantly freaked out and scared by driving fast, high risk sports, or traveling through a foreign country without reservations. I would feel destabilized in those situations, whereas a man who enjoys that kind of adventure and ranks fun as a higher priority than survival would probably feel stifled by my need for security. And indeed, that is exactly what happened in one of my past relationships.

Other examples:

- Someone who doesn't need a lot of love and affection is likely to feel smothered by a partner who is physically expressive and prefers a lot of contact and communication.

- Two people who prioritize freedom fairly equally can be a good match, whereas a major difference in this area can lead to a pursuer/distancer dynamic that is painful and frustrating.

- A high need for power and a low need for power can work well together. Put two equally high needs for power in a relationship, and things can turn ugly very quickly.

As I mapped out my own priorities, it became very obvious what priorities would be most compatible in a mate. Now my next challenge will be to remind myself to investigate this issue before I get too deeply involved with anyone.

I'd like to think that I've experienced enough painful mismatches to have gathered the motivation to do my homework first. Only time will tell ...

more books

my library card hasn't gotten much time to cool down between uses ...

Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships: Healing the Wound of the Heart I'm typically a fan of John Welwood's work, so it's no surprise that this book is currently chock full of post-it arrows pointing to quotes I wanted to remember. Like this one:

Our birthright as human beings is to have direct access to perfect love, and our privilege is to serve as a channel through which it flows. Realizing this, we can see the folly of trying to earn love through efforts, looks, or achievements. We might be able to win approval, praise, or rewards by these means, but not the love that embraces us as we are, the love that sets us free, the love that lights up this world. Rather than trying to win love, we need to fully let it enter into us.

His explanation about how past experience can color present relationships is among the clearest I've ever read, and his exercise for feeling love fully is very profound. This book gets my highest recommendation.





I had to post this cover. Look at that man! Isn't he incredible? My heart just bubbles over with joy when I see his face. This book presents the most grounded and accessible treatment of Buddhism I've ever read, and believe me, I've read a lot of 'em. The author suffered from severe anxiety as a kid, and grew up to be this endearing, transparent, authentically real guy who also happens to be a monk. He knows what we normal people are going through, and he gently shines his light on the tunnel that leads to a more peaceful mind. It's quite a lovely read.


Miracles of Mind: Exploring Nonlocal Consciousness and Spritual Healing (that typo in the title came from amazon, not me. just so you know.) Remote viewing, psi experiments, nonlocality, healing touch -- can't go wrong with a list of topics like that!

A Mind of Its Own: How Your Brain Distorts and Deceives You can tell I'm in a 'brain' phase ... listen to these chapter titles: The Vain Brain, The Emotional Brain, The Immoral Brain, The Deluded Brain, The Pigheaded Brain, The Secretive Brain, The Weak-Willed Brain, The Bigoted Brain, The Vulnerable Brain. Too good to pass up! And a little scary. Seems I can't trust that wrinkly little gray matter nearly as much as it wants me to ...

Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict I think I mentioned this already. I'm cogitating a whole separate post about this one. It also earned my highest recommendation.

Getting Together and Staying Together: Solving the Mystery of Marriage The library had an older edition of this called simply Staying Together. William Glasser, the father of Control Theory (which says we cannot control others, but only ourselves) shares some very solid insights into temperament and compatibility. When I mapped out my previous relationships using his system, I was rather stunned at how obvious it all suddenly appeared. There will be another post about this, too. Five stars.




Don't you just love the cover of this book? I found it a bit too wordy for my taste, but I loved his assertion that the polarization of right and wrong underlies many if not all of our societal and relationship concerns, and that a paradigm which includes room for creative and constructive energy would serve us much better.





another cover I had to include a picture of. I'm new to Sedaris. I actually laughed right out loud as I was sitting there alone reading this book. When I take this one back today, I'm heading straight to his shelf for more. Absolutely hilarious. I aspire.


Dump 'Em: How to Break Up with Anyone from Your Best Friend to Your Hairdresser Honestly, can you believe this title in light of my post about my awful haircut? How could I not check this out? It turned out to be full of scripts for getting rid of anyone without burning bridges. I was pretty impressed. Even learned some stuff. I'm feeling all verbally empowered now.

thoughts on nonduality, which will probably make no sense unless you are already familiar with Advaita

I'm actually revisiting this Advaita/NonDuality stuff by reading John Wheeler's The Light Behind Consciousness. Years ago I attended satsang with Gangaji and various other teachers as they visited Boulder. I borrowed and purchased many books, by Ramesh Balsekar and others. My copy of Wayne Liquorman's book No Way: A Guide for the Spiritually "Advanced" (which he authored as Ram Tzu) is dog eared from being read so often.

I'm noticing that I'm not quite ready or willing to give up the notion of a Self yet. I'm still enjoying it. I like the play of Lila ... the hiding and seeking and finding.

I still like creative visualization, the Work, EFT, and the other games we can play with our seemingly separate selves. I figure the idea of a Self will dissolve sooner or later all on its own, so I'm in no hurry to rush it along.

I've never really been a seeker, so to speak. More of a hedonist, I'd say! Not interested in enlightenment, not trying to achieve true liberation ... just hoping to ease my suffering a bit when it arises. I am probably still quite deeply attached to my ego identity, and I'm feeling fine about that state of affairs for now.

In Wheeler's book, he says awareness, love, and truth are identical, and comprise All There Is. At the core, I think all the philosophies and models I study are basically saying that same thing.

Some approach this central concept through cognitive channels (The Work), some energetic (EFT, Yuen), some mental (Advaita, Science of Mind, Eckhart Tolle), and some are physical (yoga, chi gong).

But essentially, they all seem to suggest that the evaluation of ourselves, each other, and our circumstances is the root cause of suffering, while love and acceptance are the remedies.

ps: if you groove on this nonduality stuff, check out jeff's post. he's my soul brother (I have lots of soul sisters, but he's my first soul brother...) and we are clearly running on parallel tracks lately! http://joyanddisquiet.blogspot.com/2010/01/just-because.html

happy new year!

Had a great time on our trip to visit my mom in AZ. This pic was taken in Sedona on our New Year's Eve hike. (My son is now the proud owner of my dad's black cowboy hat with the red snakeskin band.)

I finished Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict while I was there, and eagerly tried the visualization exercises with fascinating results. More to come on that another day.

On the plane ride home, I got really into The Light Behind Consciousness. This non-duality stuff is sort of like an earthquake. It feels like nothing will ever really be the same again internally. More to follow on that as well. Right now, it's time for bed!

books I've been enjoying lately

Out of the Canyon: A True Story of Loss and Love About the healing journey of a man who lost his wife and children when a huge boulder crushed their car as he drove through Glenwood Canyon, leaving him untouched. He found love again, with the blessing of his family from the other side. A lovely story. Have kleenex handy.

Outliers: The Story of Success Fascinating perspective on the root causes of success. Hint: it's not just hard work!

That Bird Has My Wings: The Autobiography of an Innocent Man on Death Row Very touching and sobering story of a guy who grew up to be a criminal. Made me seriously consider going back to school to become a social worker. I would very much like to make some kind of useful contribution to people in foster care and jails.

Energy Medicine for Women: Aligning Your Body's Energies to Boost Your Health and Vitality Just the right thing for me at just the right time, once again! Simple exercises to balance energy meridians. I can feel my nervous system settling down within seconds. Ahhhh.

Feeding Your Demons: Ancient Wisdom for Resolving Inner Conflict Loving this idea - instead of pushing away my demons, I can imagine turning my body into nectar and feeding them with it. Intrigues me on so many levels. Very satisfying to think of feeding my obsessions, my fears, my runaway mind, and even those who do not wish me well. It's the ultimate form of acceptance and nurturing, and feels so much better than closing myself off to them. The theory is that once they are fed, they become satiated and settle down. Makes sense, eh?

What Shamu Taught Me About Life, Love, and Marriage: Lessons for People from Animals and Their Trainers Good reminder that we teach people how to treat us, whether we realize we are doing it or not. And that we can make big changes in small steps, and that there are many creative ways to do things differently. I'm not a pure behaviorist, but I appreciated the empowerment in this book. There's a lot we can do to make it easier for people to treat us the way we want.

The Light Behind Consciousness Just starting this one. Non-duality stuff. I'm still standing on the edge of that cliff. Haven't taken the plunge yet. But I can definitely see the appeal of releasing my attachment to my identity and Self. Getting tired of being jerked around by my mind all the friggin' time.

The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide to Self-Mastery Thanks to my friend Jeff for sending this one my way. I really enjoyed Ruiz's other books, and did not know there was a new one out.

The Spark: The 28-Day Breakthrough Plan for Losing Weight, Getting Fit, and Transforming Your Life Hay House sent me this one to review. I get so excited when I see their return address on those padded envelopes! Although I have no interest whatsoever in weight loss menus and fitness charts, I did very much enjoy the story of the author's rise to success, as well as the 'before and after' pictures. I am endlessly fascinated by transformation stories!

rear view

Even when a car has that little warning printed on the side mirror that says, "Objects in mirror are closer than they appear," accidents still happen due to blind spots.

I've been reading this super cool book called Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why, which illuminates the inherently human perceptual and cognitive distortions that can actually kill us.

It explains why smart people make seemingly stupid choices that mystify onlookers and even themselves. It's a fascinating read -- right up my alley. I'm sure I'll be writing a lot more about it.

Anyway, inspired no doubt by my bedtime reading, this morning one of own cognitive distortions revealed itself to me. I labeled it, "Events in the past seem a lot more pleasant than they actually were."

I was musing about the relationship pattern that came to my attention recently courtesy of a bad haircut. I was laughing at myself (kindly, with great compassion) for actually thinking that maybe I should give the stylist another shot.

I was amused because of course that's what I always think right before I get back together with a man I've broken up with. He's a great guy, we have so much going for us, maybe just a teensy little adjustment will bring it all back into balance again. It's worth a try!

Seems the farther away in time I get from an experience or a relationship, the more romanticized and idealized the memory of it becomes. My hindsight is definitely not 20/20. It's highly distorted. Only the fun stuff sticks around. When I replay a memory, it's like watching the past through a soft, rosy lens. Sometimes, there's even an accompanying soundtrack!

And that's fine. It makes reminiscing about the past a nice, pleasant experience for me. The problem comes in when I try to make a decision based on my memories -- when I compare or contrast, or take inventory, or re-evaluate.

Wait, is it true that the farther away I get the sweeter the memory is? No, not always. Not all of my memories stay positively charged forever. Sometimes the distortion is curved. For a few weeks after a breakup or decision, the memories are highly positive -- maybe that's so I can cry a lot and get some good grieving in -- and then after a certain point, the recollections do seem to become a bit more balanced, giving me access to both the pleasant and not-so-pleasant stuff. So maybe sometimes it's more like a blind spot than a mirror distortion.

And maybe even my perception of this distortion is distorted! It never really ends, does it? It's dang near impossible to see yourself clearly.

In any case, I'd like to post a warning in my mind that says, "Memories appear more positive than they are, and are for entertainment purposes only. DO NOT make any actual decisions based on what you see here."

Now if only I could invent the mental equivalent of a post-it ...

neurobics ... exercises for your brain

I am completely intrigued by this concept, and ordered the book on amazon immediately. But I plan to start my brain workouts even before it arrives, by using my left hand for things I normally do right-handed, like brushing my teeth and holding my fork.

I swear I can feel new neural connections growing in my brain already, just from thinking about it! I have been aware that over the years my left hand has become increasingly uncoordinated, but now realize maybe it's not the actual muscles at fault, but rather that the area of my brain that controls my left hand has atrophied a bit due to being understimulated. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises

a relationship checklist

not that I believe the subtleties of love or relationship need to be reduced to a magic formula, but I when I discovered this checklist in The Tao of Negotiation: How to Resolve Conflict in All Areas of Your Life, which I found on the business shelf of my local used bookstore, it struck me as both pithy and succinct wisdom.

According to the authors, "the overriding difference between those relationships that work over a long period of time and those that don't has to do with the presence or absence of the following characteristics." I've put the explanations into my own words, so if you want to read the original version, you'll find it on page 186 of the book.


1) The Spark. That hard-to-pin-down-in-words magic called chemistry. Strong attraction with a sense of comfort and compatibility that is not easily explained by how long we have known each other, how much time we have spent together, logic, or reason. They don't mention it in the book, but I'd also include truly enjoying each other's company, and easily having fun together in this category.

2) The intention and the willingness to be aware of and process everything of significance. I think of this as open minds and open hearts. Each is actively curious about the other's experience, as well as willing to take a close look at their own individual contribution to the couple's dynamic. Honest, intimate communication about thoughts and feelings is one of the cornerstones of the relationship.

3) Commonality of purpose, values, and interests. Without this one, the relationship is not likely to be sustainable in the long term. You can have great chemistry and honest communication, but if your individual lives are not on somewhat parallel trajectories in terms of direction and purpose, it might be challenging to stay together. It can and has been been done, of course, most easily by couples who are very committed to #2 above, which would therefore mean they share intention and willingness to process as a common value, and thus they meet this criteria!

Good stuff, eh? I am looking forward to sharing this with my kids as they go forth into the world. And of course, they may still need to figure it out for themselves the hard way, just like I am still doing. :) But at least they will have these concepts in their awareness somewhere.

an interesting perspective on food allergies

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of EFT, the Emotional Freedom Technique. It's a self-healing modality that involves tapping lightly on various acupressure meridians to reset and rebalance the body, mind, and emotions.

It's fast and easy and effective, and only takes a few minutes to learn. My clients often achieve remarkable results with it. You can even download the training manual for free and read tons of articles about it at founder Gary Craig's website, http://www.emofree.com/.

In today's EFT e-newsletter, a woman shared her experience with using EFT to clear multiple severe food allergies. I wanted to pass it along because it suggests a very intriguing possibility about the true root cause of allergies and sensitivities.

It makes intuitive sense to me that it's not necessarily the substance itself that causes the problem, but rather it may be our unconscious beliefs about our vulnerability that make interacting with our physical environment difficult at times.

EFT gives us a speedy and simple way to change those unconscious beliefs. It's never been shown to have any negative side effects, and the improvement in quality of life can be quite significant. If you decide to give it a try, I'd love to hear how it goes. And I'd be happy to answer any questions about EFT for you if I can. Just drop me an email: karen@karenalonge.com

here's the link to the article from the newsletter:

http://www.emofree.com/Allergy/multiple-food-allergies.htm


take care!
:) karen

the power of body-mind awareness

Check out this inspiring story about a guy with cerebral palsy who experienced profound improvement in his physical abilities via dance and body-mind awareness training.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/arts/dance/25palsy.html?_r=1

book review: Defy Gravity by Caroline Myss

I was surprised to find a package from Hay House in my mailbox a few weeks ago. I had not ordered anything, so I had no idea what was inside.

As some of you already know, I hope to be published by Hay House someday. So I held the hefty envelope in my hand without opening it, and indulged in a brief but very satisfying fantasy that it contained the first copy of my very own book.

When my curiosity finally reached critical mass, I tore the package open and extracted a copy of Caroline Myss's new book, Defy Gravity: Healing Beyond the Bounds of Reason. Also included was a letter from the Hay House marketing folks inviting me to read it and post a review on my blog.

What a delightful surprise! I felt honored that my opinion had been solicited, and grateful to receive a free copy of a book by such a well-known and respected author.

I'm familiar with some of Myss's earlier books. I read Anatomy of the Spirit years ago when it first came out. I skimmed Why People Don't Heal, and thumbed through Sacred Contracts.

And I have to be completely honest -- I don't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning, much less what I thought about those books. All I know is that I haven't felt inspired to read anything of hers for quite some time.

Could be that I seamlessly integrated the concepts and now they've become so much a part of me that I don't feel the need to review them. Could be that other authors package these ideas in ways that feel more accessible to me. Could be neither, or both.

In any case, this book was a gift from the people that I hope will one day be promoting my own book, and I felt honored that they sent me a review copy. So, although I would not have picked this title up on my own, I decided to check it out.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Myss has neatly compiled in one book many of the esoteric and mystical principles that it took me years of study to gather from a variety of sources. If you resonate with her writing style, and are interested in exploring some of the deeper dynamics underlying illness, you may enjoy Defy Gravity.

I suspect it may be an especially satisfying read for folks who feel they have 'outgrown' the confines of their religious upbringing, yet still take comfort in some of the concepts, such as grace and forgiveness. She frequently references Christian figures such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, and reframes the Seven Deadly Sins. She also sprinkles in some figures from other religions and traditions, such as the Dalai Lama and Sai Baba.

Her writing style is a bit too complex and left-brainy for me personally. (Abraham is more my style these days.) If I'd cracked this book open ten years ago, I probably would have dropped everything to devour it from cover to cover. Now, however, I tend to gravitate more toward the short, sweet, simple stuff.

I don't require a lot of scientific proof or stories to convince me - if a concept feels right in my gut, that's grounds enough for me to close the book and go experiment with it. She periodically offers questions to help the reader explore his or her own beliefs, which makes for an interactive and personal experience of the material.

Basically, I suspect you'll know right away when you thumb through this book on amazon.com or at your book store if it's a good fit for you. I plan to donate this copy to my local public library. I imagine it will inspire new insight and awareness in those who read it, and maybe even some some 'miraculous' healings.

did you see jeff's recent post?

I've mentioned Jeff's blog here before. I was blown away by this post. Here's a little excerpt:

I encourage you to stop believing that there is something you need to do or need to be. What you are doing is all there is to do - and if you're honest, you'll see that there is nothing else occurring for you to compare it to. How could it be wrong? Your path is to take the next intelligent step. Your path is to drink a glass of water, to laugh or cry, to pee, to go for a walk, to do whatever it is you do. Dogs bark. Grass grows. Sometimes it rains. Sometimes the sun shines. And this particular Jeff, this particular life-stream, sometimes feels lost. Sometimes this particular Jeff, this particular mind-stream, is flaky and feels uncertain. Other times he doesn't. Enough said. The mistake, if there were such a thing, is believing something other than what is happening should be happening.

To read the rest: http://joyanddisquiet.blogspot.com/2009/10/know-yourself-as-me.html

research shows that some small cancers can go away on their own

Alternative health practitioners have been saying this for years, and it's finally hit the mainstream and been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Here's the writeup in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/27/health/27canc.html?_r=1&em

fascinating article by bruce lipton

here's a brief excerpt from www.brucelipton.com:

The brain, like any governing entity, seeks harmony. Neural harmony is expressed as a measure of congruency between the mind’s perceptions and the life we experience.

An interesting insight into how the mind creates harmony between its perceptions and the real world is frequently illustrated in stage hypnosis shows. A volunteer from the audience is invited onstage, hypnotized, and asked to pick up a glass of water, which the volunteer is told weighs one thousand pounds. With that misinformation, the volunteer struggles unsuccessfully with straining muscles, bulging veins, and perspiration. How can that be? Obviously the glass doesn’t weigh one thousand pounds even though the mind of the subject firmly believes that it does.

To manifest the perceived reality of a thousand pound glass of water, something that cannot be lifted, the hypnotized subject’s mind fires a signal to the muscles used to lift the glass at the same time it fires contradictory signals to the muscles used to set the glass down! This results in an isometric exercise wherein two groups of muscles work to oppose each other, which results in no net movement-but a lot of strain and sweat.

Cells, tissues, and organs do not question information sent by the nervous system. Rather, they respond with equal fervor to accurate life-affirming perceptions and to self-destructive misperceptions. Consequently, the nature of our perceptions greatly influences the fate of our lives.

Read the entire article here:
http://www.brucelipton.com/book-excerpts/the-nature-of-dis-ease

another act of kindness

My son sent me this link. He knows how much I love stories about people helping each other. This time, a major corporation, FedEx, was one of the benefactors:

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/63330872.html

kindness in the news

Tough times can call forth the best in people.

Check out this cool story of a genuine real life good guy -- a landlord who refused to evict his tenants when they lost their jobs, and instead took a job himself to tide him over until the tenants find work and get caught up on their rent again.

http://www.heraldonline.com/front/story/1623663.html

frenemies

I'm experiencing another synchronistic convergence of ideas today, this time about the value of "enemies."

I've written before about the children's book The Little Soul and the Sun: A Children's Parable Adapted from Conversations With God in which the author, Neale Donald Walsch, suggests that perhaps our most despised enemies here on Earth are actually our closest friends on a soul level. Who but a dear sweet friend would agree to perform the seemingly dastardly acts that so often inspire us to grow our roots and expand our wings?

Today I watched the movie Milk. The main character, Harvey Milk, a gay man who was elected to the office of City Supervisor in San Francisco in the 70's, expressed a similar sentiment about a famous singer who vehemently and vociferously campaigned for the repeal of several local ordinances that prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation. Milk was quoted as saying: She's going to create a national gay force.

Isn't it beautifully ironic that the seeds of tolerance can sprout and thrive from composted bigotry? By speaking publicly, passionately, and unapologetically of her prejudice, she brought the issue of discrimination based on sexual orientation to America's breakfast table. And she inspired an eventual outpouring of support for the very cause that she campaigned so persistently against.

I've heard the same thing said about our previous president: Things got so bad during his administration that many people awoke from their stupor of complacency and voted for change.

So I checked my email after the movie, and a friend had recommended a book called A Window of Opportunity. I visited the website of the author, Sherri Cortland ND, and while I can't say I'm totally on board with all of her hypotheses, I should not have been surprised to find that she's been blogging about a concept she calls Relationship Villains. Which are, of course, exactly what Neale Donald Walsch was talking about -- soul friends who agree to provoke us into learning, experiencing, or accomplishing exactly what our own souls intended to do. And these frenemies willingly take the risk that we might forget who they really are, and in doing so, react to their gift with rage, contempt, or revenge.

I suspect that good and bad, helping and hurting, greed and generosity, are not inherent in any act. Perhaps we alone determine the ultimate value by how we choose to respond.

a guest blogger

a favorite reader of mine has started his own blog at http://windsandtide.wordpress.com/ .
He gave me permission to reprint one of his posts that really hit home for me:


"So very okay"

I live in my own universe.
I believe that we all do.

The beliefs we hold, our attitudes, and expectations.
These are no small things; they literally determine how we experience the world.
I believe our perceptions are everything.

If you look for things to be grateful for, you find them.
If you look for goodness in situations and people, you find it.
Whether you look for scarcity or abundance, you’ll find them.

Most of the time, I love my life experience.
And when I don’t, at least I know that it’s my doing, and not some outside force.

No person and no situation can cause me to suffer.
Only my thoughts (the believing of them) have that power.

What a blessing!
What a relief!
And what a responsibility.
It means that no one can save me but me.
But the only thing to be saved from are my unexplored/unchallenged opinions and beliefs.

We all believe what we believe and have our reasons.
We have lived what we have lived and we have drawn our conclusions.
We filter things through our thoughts in a way that makes sense to us.
There will always be differences – striking ones.
This is so very okay! None of it is personal.

I see that my freedom is to be found in allowing others their universe and staying busy tending my own.
This leaves me no enemies, no one to blame, no one to be afraid of!
If I allow it to be so, all I have are friends.
No one can be an enemy unless I allow them to be.
Do I dare make that choice?

Even if the cruelest insults are hurled at me, they’re only a person’s opinion.
They are only expressing what they feel is true.
Does that mean I sit there and take verbal abuse?
No, of course not. But it doesn’t mean I have to make them wrong or hate them, either.
Who am I to challenge a person’s belief system?
Who am I to question their universe? – or seek to change it?

If a person says something to me and it hurts my feelings, it only hurts my feelings because it’s something that I secretly believe about myself and have tried to hide.

For example, if someone were to say to me, “Dude, you are such a directionless loser.” If someone said that to me, it would probably sting some because a small part of me believes that. But if someone were to say to me, “You know what? You have the most beautiful blue eyes,” or “You are such a sloppy, disorganized person.” – it would be a different story. Both of those are not true for me (being a brown-eyed, neat-freak and all) – so hearing a person telling me these things would be strange and even amusing. Instead of attacking them in my mind, I might just wonder, “How weird and interesting that they would think that.” I’d not give it another thought because it wouldn’t even register as trouble – just another’s random point of view. Just one person’s statement of what they think is so. The ones that hurt like daggers are the ones we’ve already dug in to our own hearts. It’s our own beliefs that cause the pain. We are the very enemies that we think we see in others.

I like the quote by Neale Donald Walsch:“No one is ever wrong given their model of the world.”(Or something to that effect.)

Our models don’t have to match.
Our opposing views don’t have to bring conflict.
I don’t think human agreement and sameness have anything to do with Love, in the ultimate sense, anyway.

I’m pretty sure that Love can handle a few different points of view.
In fact, I’d say Love does more than just handle it or tolerate.
I’d say It revels in it.




see why I am so excited about his entrance into the blogosphere?
visit him at http://windsandtide.wordpress.com/

The Vortex

I am loving Abraham's new book, The Vortex. My copy is dog eared already and I brought it home only three hours ago! This concept alone was worth the cost of the entire book to me:

Anytime what someone else thinks about you becomes more important than your own balance with self, you are in a less-than-healthy position. Anytime you take action to try to manipulate or affect others' opinions or attitudes toward you, you are in an less-than-healthy position, because you are replacing your own Guidance System with their opinion.

she didn't buy it

seems like this whole 'it's not about me' concept has hit the mainstream.
check out this fascinating article from the New York Times:

But wait. This isn’t the divorce story you think it is. Neither is it a begging-him-to-stay story. It’s a story about hearing your husband say “I don’t love you anymore” and deciding not to believe him. And what can happen as a result.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/fashion/02love.html?em=&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1249449895-bLZj3G2ZXOAjaEx3tl73GQ

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to sign up (it's free), just enter your email address in the little box over there on the right sidebar.

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:)

reminds me of The Giving Tree

Greetings! It's been a while, eh? I've been so busy having fun this summer that it's been a challenge to squeeze any work in -- hiking, camping, visiting friends, and taking on a few new volunteer opportunities. My son was home for two weeks, and is leaving early tomorrow morning for his new Coast Guard assignment in Hawaii. Blogging was low on my to-do list, and I simply haven't gotten around to it lately. I did make time to watch that awesome solar eclipse live online this evening, tho. I Y the Internet!!

Anyhoo ... today, as I read to my 95 year old friend from the August edition of Science of Mind magazine, I was moved to tears by the story of Nipun Mehta, the founder of an organization called CharityFocus. I'll paraphrase the article here, and in August at least some of the article will be available on the Science of Mind website. (I'm guessing the magazine is probably available on newsstands as well.)

Mehta was a young computer whiz in Silicon Valley, on the fast track to a successful career, when he realized that he felt unfulfilled. So he started CharityFocus, a nonprofit that matches volunteers with those in need of help. I don't want to botch the details, so instead I'll paste a little bit of copy from their website, and then shift away from facts and into the part of his philosophy that resonated so deeply with me. Please visit the CharityFocus site if you want to learn more.

CharityFocus is an all volunteer run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that endeavors to leverage technology for inspiring greater volunteerism and providing meaningful volunteer opportunities for all who want them -- no matter what their skills, how much time they have to give, where they are located, and what their interests. In the process, CharityFocus volunteers provide much-needed assistance to nonprofit organizations worldwide and create inspiring local events that manifest the spirit of service.

While I was moved by the accomplishments of his nonprofit, I was even more inspired by his personal philosophy. His mission and purpose in life are pretty straightforward. My interpretation of it is this: Just give, and everything else will take care of itself.

His focus is only on the joy and pleasure of giving, and never on the return. He literally lives to give, and does not operate from the conventional economic principle of exchange, or even trade, by requiring anything back from the recipient. He just gives. It's that simple. And somehow, it all works out in the end.

He created CharityFocus to give the rest of us the opportunity to experience this joy for ourselves by giving in individually meaningful ways.

(hey, I know why this sounds so familiar! I wrote a post about something like this awhile back: http://www.karenalonge.com/2008/10/give-something.html)

A few tidbits from the Science of Mind article that I loved:

When Mehta notices that funds are getting low, he "knows he needs to give more," so he digs deeper and finds something more to offer. And somehow, before the money well runs completely dry, the supply is always replenished.

When his mother was worried about his plans to take a walking pilgrimage in India, he left her with these instructions: Whenever you feel concerned that I won't have enough to eat, feed someone. Whenever you are worried that I won't have adequate shelter, take someone in.

So when she started fretting, she baked her tears into his favorite bread, naan, took warm steaming baskets of it out to the street, and fed strangers. And she felt better.

His solution to every problem, obstacle, or concern seems to be to give more. I really, really, REALLY like that.

Just give, and everything else will take care of itself. I know it's unconventional. But deep inside me, it simply feels natural and right and true.

cleaning the lens

this train of thought chugged through my morning shower today:

If I am perceiving anything other than an expression of love or a request for love from anyone, including my own self, then my inner lens needs to be cleaned.

When bugs get smashed on my car's windshield, I know that the remedy is to use my wipers, not to get out of the car and go try to clean the thing I am looking at through the dirty windshield.

the wipers I've been using lately come from the Hawaiian tradition of H'oponopono. There's an article I like that explains it here: http://www.consciousmindjournal.com/Articles/2008-02-01/Hoponopono.cfm

The short version is this:

I internally repeat four simple phrases in sequence until I feel an inner release of tension. I usually experience the release as a melting feeling in the area of my heart.

I love you.
I'm sorry.
Please forgive me.
Thank you.

These phrases are directed at myself, not at the other person.

I usually start melting the instant I tell myself I love you. It puts me right in touch with my little innocent human self, and how hard I am on it sometimes.

I'm sorry is almost always followed by more when I hear it in my head, but it doesn't have to be. I'm sorry for treating myself this way. I'm sorry for forgetting my innocence. I'm sorry for talking to myself that way. I'm sorry for forgetting who I really am, and what I am doing here. I'm sorry for hurting myself with that thought.

Please forgive me and Thank you normally stand alone for me.

So here's how this might go in real life:

Let's say I'm at the store, and someone says Hurry up, you are in my way!

Through a clean windshield, I see someone in a big hurry, and I simply step aside.

Through a dirty windshield, I might see someone who is full of himself and thinks his pace is more important than mine.

so I activate my wipers:

I love you (and it's perfectly fine for me to walk at whatever pace I like right now).
I'm sorry (for the feeling inside me when I got angry at him).
Please forgive me.
Thank you.

If I don't feel better yet, I run it again.

I love you (and there is nothing wrong with me for feeling this way).
I'm sorry (for taking any of this personally).
Please forgive me.
Thank you.

Rarely do I need to run this through more than twice before my happiness is restored. But I will happily do it for as long as it takes to feel good again.

the article I linked to above goes into more detail.
gotta dash ... I have a daughter with a DVD waiting for me downstairs.

...

I'm back, with a stomach that hurts from laughing so hard at Little Miss Sunshine, to elaborate a bit on the expression/request for love concept. It's rooted in A Course in Miracles (ACIM), which I studied about a decade ago.

The idea, as I recall it, is that verbal and nonverbal communication falls into basically two categories -- affectionate words, compliments, and kindness are expressions of love, whereas insults, complaints, demands, whining, and attacks are simply indirect and unskillful requests for love. When we hear them that way, there's really only one response that feels appropriate -- compassion.

Compassion can show up in many guises. It might be a very loving and gentle NO. It could be that we simply reassure the whiner/complainer that we care about their feelings and their experience (like a well-trained customer service representative who lets you know that your feedback is important, she's sorry for your inconvenience, and she'll do whatever she can to make it right).

Compassion doesn't mean you just lay down and let people walk all over you. It does mean that you don't see them as terrible or evil, but rather as temporarily communicatively impaired. You may choose to remove yourself until they can be more clear, or you may be willing to translate and offer love in response to their request. It doesn't really matter either way. The point is that you don't stew yourself in your own juices while building a case to prove how bad or wrong they are.

I think this quote from http://www.clearmind.com/acim.cfm expresses it pretty well:

ACIM considers all behavior to be either a call for love, or an extension of love. When we can see the “call for love” under difficult behavior, forgiveness naturally occurs, and we are left in a state of compassion rather that locked into anger, fear, or guilt. It is our compassionate mind than can then make proactive decisions which result in a more positive life.

soul food from the web

gratitude to Rob Breszny for sharing these in this week's Free Will Astrology newsletter!

paul hawken's graduation speech. wonderful:
http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=3697

a magical medicine story. gave me goose bumps of recognition:
http://realitysandwich.com/gathering_tribe?page=1

a radical choice

I sat down a few days ago to write a post about my reaction to reports that Colleen and Daniel Hauser had gone on the run. They are the mother and son who preferred to use alternative modalities to treat the boy's cancer, and fled to avoid being ordered by the court to submit to traditional chemotherapy.

I must admit, this case strikes close to my heart. For the past twenty years or so my family has been using alternative modalities with great success, and therefore we have spent next to no time in the traditional medical system. I even gave birth at home.

I don't like the idea that the courts could have forced my children into conventional medical treatment. If Daniel were my son, I would likely support his desire to reject a deliberate injection of poison.

So I feel a lot of empathy for this family. In fact, I got pretty riled up about the whole thing. I could go on to list all my perceived injustices, but I won't, because that's not the point of this post.

The point is that somewhere along the line, as I was ruminating on this poor kid and his mom and feeling so bad for them, I heard Abraham's voice pop into my head saying, Nothing is more important than that you feel good. (If you are not familiar with Abraham-Hicks, this statement will probably sound self-serving, narcissistic, and even worse, because it's taken out of a much larger context. A visit to http://www.abraham-hicks.com/ might help to put it in perspective. )

And I realized then that the tape looping in my head about injustice and the cruel imposition of values and yadda yadda yadda did not feel good to me AT ALL. Nor was it helping Daniel and his family. So, for what might be the very first time in all my years of listening to good ol' Abe, I decided to take their advice and "reach for a thought that feels better."

And the instant I made this choice, I felt my awareness zoom out, like a camera panning back. I have no idea if the thought that felt better to me is true or not, but that's not really what's important. Here's the thought: perhaps this mother and child, at a soul level, signed up for the job of bringing this issue into the media spotlight, so that change can happen.

I know that's all woo woo and such, but it felt so much better to me than thinking that these kind and innocent and well-intended people were being victimized by The System.

When I panned out, and remembered that there is always more going on than meets the eye, my outrage just melted. I felt gratitude and compassion for the family, and for the courts and others involved as well. Each of them is playing an important role in a larger production.

It takes a lot of gumption for a soul to sign up to play the bad guy, because plenty of venom will be spewed in his direction. A lot of people will forget that at his core, he is light and love just like we all are.

Which reminds me of a book I really like: The Little Soul and the Sun by Neale Donald Walsch.





Anyway, let me back up and say a bit more about my statement that it is not important to me whether this 'bigger production' idea is true or not.

It seems to me that our lives are made up of a string of moments, like a strand of pearls. We can experience only one at a time, which makes this moment the most important moment of our existence.

There's no one passing judgment on how we choose to spend our moments, so there's nothing inherently wrong about letting myself stew in anger for a while if I want to.

But if I have a choice, and I finally perceive that I really do, I'll choose a more pleasant experience, thank you very much.

As an added bonus, any actions I choose to take from a stance of compassion will be far more efficient and effective than reactions that stem from anger, revenge, or outrage. Since I'm really not that interested in adding to the chain of pain, I like finding ways to call forth the best in others.

After the compassion was flowing again, I found myself simply feeling love and gratitude for everyone involved in this case. I saw no more good guys or bad guys ... just a bunch of people trying to do what they think is best.

And that was a relief.

postscript May 30,2009:
Colleen and Danny voluntarily returned home, and he has reluctantly resumed chemotherapy. The family has started a website and is posting updates on his conditon: www.dannyhauser.com.

brain 101

sort of a user's manual for your brain, written by a self-proclaimed 'grumpy' scientist who is scrupulous about his research and sources.

fascinating stuff.

http://www.brainrules.net/

the mona greasa

watch as an artist recreates the Mona Lisa with burgers. creativity like this reminds me of everything that is good about being a human!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NndPyWDnK34&NR=1



check out his site to see his other fascinating projects:
http://www.philinthecircle.com/

audio of The Work of Byron Katie on relationships

I recently began re-reading I Need Your Love -- Is That True? by Bryon Katie, and it's just SO good.

I felt inspired to do some googling, and on Katie's blog I came across this powerful and profound audio clip of a woman doing The Work .

She starts out thinking her husband may not be the right partner for her because he's not spiritual enough and drinks too much. She ends up completely dissolved in Love. I laughed ... I cried ... I was touched. Wanted to share:

http://www.byronkatie.com/2007/09/audio_youre_not_the_right_part.htm

A Man Named Pearl

watched a delightful little documentary on DVD this weekend ... A Man Named Pearl.

Back in the 80's, Pearl Fryar was told that he was not welcome in a South Carolina neighborhood because "blacks don't keep up their yards." In response, he bought the home anyway, and took his yard care to the extreme, creating free form topiaries that currently attract busloads of visitors from all over the world. At 68 years old, he's still out in his yard for hours every day, balanced precariously on a huge stepladder with a hedge clippers, or leading tours. Amazing stuff.

I especially loved the parts where they interviewed his wife, and she describes their relationship. I found the whole thing very uplifting. I rented it at blockbuster, but here's the official site:

http://www.amannamedpearl.com/

:)

natural birth control

Just read an article in our local weekly paper about the dilemma some women are facing as the economic conditions intensify: having to choose between buying food or birth control. Talk about a terrible double bind! How sad and ironic to decide that you must risk creating more mouths to feed in order to take care of the children you already have.

I dunno why every single high school health class isn't teaching this most basic and empowering health information: women are only fertile during a few days of their monthly cycles.

There are reliable and simple ways to assess your own fertility signals, and you can use the information to help you avoid pregnancy, even if your cycle is irregular. It also helps you know when you have the best chance of conceiving, if that's what you want.

Using it to prevent pregnancy does require abstinence during fertile days, and is therefore not as convenient or practical as, for example, an IUD, but it is free and available to every woman.

And although it does nothing to prevent STD's, and it's not 100% foolproof (no method is ...), basic fertility awareness education could greatly reduce the odds of an unplanned pregnancy. So I'm doing my part to spread the good word.

Here's a site I like with info about The Two Day Method:
http://www.irh.org/RTP-TDM.htm

I also recommend the book Your Fertility Signals by Merryl Winstein.

archives

my daughter and I got home tonight from a delicious spring break in sunny Arizona visiting my mom. I never get tired of those gorgeous red rocks in Sedona!

We left before the snowstorm hit Denver, and returned after the roads were clear and dry. Are we lucky or what?

anyway, just wanted to let you know that before I started this blog, I published lots of postcards from nowhere on my website. they go all the way back to 2001!! so while I slowly ease back into blogging, feel free to visit my archives here:

http://www.karenalonge.com/pfn/pfn_nav.htm

now on facebook

my son finally talked me into it, which was a major accomplishment.
not sure why I was so resistant, but here we go.

want to be my friend? got any pointers to share? look me up.
I think I'm the only Karen Alonge.

replay

Yesterday I found myself at Costco with an hour to kill while I got new tires installed on my car. I moseyed over to the book department, and in a sea of titles, Replay by Ken Grimwood caught my attention.

I read for an hour in the Food Court, picked it up again at bedtime, and did not put it down until I finished it at 2 am. It has to be 5 or 10 years since I've done that - and it's exactly why I don't usually read fiction. I get so immersed in the story that I don't function!

Anyway, this book is frickin' amazing. After I finished sobbing grateful tears in recognition of the blessed gift of being human, I was stunned to see that it was written in 1986. How did I miss this masterpiece that's been around for over 20 years? And what the heck was it doing at Costco, tucked in with all the recent bestsellers? (I later saw that it's ranked 2000 something on Amazon, so I suppose it's considered a classic now ...)

Whatever. I'm just so glad it found me.

Since I need to extricate my consciousness from this story so I can function in my own life again, I'm going for a walk rather than trying to write a review myself. There are some good ones on Amazon.

I also enjoyed the Wikipedia entry on the book:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replay_(novel)

and the author:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Grimwood

word clouds

this is TOO much fun! http://www.wordle.net/

type in a list of words, and this site turns them into cool, funky word clouds. the color, layout, size, and font can all be tweaked, or it will randomly generate them for you. and it's free!

I just made one for my daughter, with her name and all her awesome qualities. the more often the word appears in the list, the bigger it is in the graphic, so I listed her name about eight times.

this has so many fun applications - how about a gratitude list, a gift of appreciation for a loved one, or a tangible way for parents to let our children know that we see their strengths and talents?

gotta warn ya though, it's addictive! (ooh, and suitable for framing!)

energy work

I recently posted that I am loving Elma Mayer's free group healing sessions by phone on Saturday mornings. I may also have mentioned that I'm trained in the type of work she does, but am nowhere near as experienced or effective. I dabble, and have facilitated some minor shifts. She's the Real Thing.

She's offering several more free calls, which I highly recommend. This Saturday, March 21, from 9-10 Pacific Time, she's working on financial issues. She's amazing. I listen to her Wholeness Alignments CD several times a week for a comprehensive energetic tuneup. Check out her site for more info: www.nowhealing.com

I have referred many friends to her for private sessions, including my friend Kate who writes a heartfelt blog narrating her journey with infertility treatments. She wondered what the heck energetic corrections or alignments were, so I attempted to explain. It's a challenge to clearly articulate something this obscure, but I'm mostly satisfied with what I came up with for now, and thought you might like to read it:

Elma may have preferred to spend your limited time together working on you rather than explaining the details of what she was doing, so I'm gonna tackle the challenge of trying to explain it with a metaphor.

Okay, here goes:

Imagine your spine (Elma may have called it your center or midline) as a projector, like those ones that shine the constellations of the night sky on the ceiling of a dark room. If you want to see something different on the ceiling, you gotta change the holes in the projector, right? It won't work to go up to the ceiling and try to change it there.

Physical manifestations are like the stars on the ceiling. Energy work changes the projector.

You won't necessarily consciously FEEL neutral or unattached to the outcome immediately, because feelings are also like the stars on the ceiling.

Just as the light needs a little time to make it up to the ceiling in its new pattern, sometimes energy shifts can take a little time to reach our feelings, conscious awareness, and physical manifestation. Other times, people feel different or notice changes right away.

Once the projector has been changed, the stars on the ceiling MUST also change. They have no choice.

Sometimes they don't change enough to satisfy us, and we go back for more tweaks. Sometimes, one session is enough.

Over the past several years, I've seen energy work result in remarkable physical changes in cases where no other kind of intervention made a dent, both for folks who 'believed' in it AND folks who didn't.

***

I am eager to gain additional experience, so if you have an issue that is bugging you physically or emotionally, I'd be happy to work on you for free. It's completely non-invasive, so the worst that can happen is that nothing will change. This type of healing works remotely, which means I don't need to see you to work on you -- we can meet by phone. If you are curious and want to give it a shot, lemme know: karen@karenalonge.com

If you'd prefer to work with a master healer, schedule a session with Elma! www.nowhealing.com

:)

article in Scientific American about the placebo effect

here's an excerpt (I bolded certain parts for emphasis):

As evidence of this idea, counseling psychologist Cynthia McRae of the University of Denver and her colleagues reported in 2004 the surprising success of a sham brain surgery in improving the quality of life of patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Surgeons performed the sham operation to compare its efficacy with that of implanting human embryonic dopamine neurons into the brains of Parkinson’s patients, who suffer from a lack of dopamine. In McRae’s follow-up study, which assessed the patients’ quality of life up to a year later, the researchers found that the patients who received the sham surgery were doing just as well physically, socially and emotionally as were the patients who had received the new cells. What mattered was not the transplant itself but whether a patient thought he or she had received it.


Read the entire article here:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=placebo-effect-a-cure-in-the-mind

Linking In

I'm buffing up my LinkedIn profile. Come visit me there if you'd like!
I'm open to expanding my contact list ...

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/?last=alonge&first=karen

soul food

this recipe makes absolutely delicious brownies, and as an added bonus, they are dairy free, gluten free, and super quick to mix up. (not vegan, tho ... uses eggs)

check it out:
http://www.elanaspantry.com/desserts/brownies/

I didn't have enough agave, so I used mostly maple syrup. I also didn't have dark chocolate, so I used semi-sweet chips.

The brownies not only melt in your mouth, but they are also high in protein and calcium because of the almond butter. Doesn't that make them practically a health food? :)

Now Healing

I've been attending a series of free teleconference calls on Saturday mornings with Elma Mayer of NowHealing.com. She's a very talented energetic healer, and people are experiencing amazing transformations right there on the line. (myself included!)

A private phone session with her is worth every penny of her fee of $90 for 25 minutes, so she is being incredibly generous by gifting us with these free group sessions. The work she does is profoundly effective, and she lets you focus in your own mind on the issues you want addressed, so you don't have to speak about them out loud.

It's really quite an incredible opportunity to effortlessly release blockages that are holding you back in any area of life. She even teaches you how to do some energetic healing on yourself.

I cannot recommend her highly enough. Just wanted to share this powerful resource with you. She's only offering these calls through the end of February.

Visit www.nowhealing.com for the scoop.

Wish Book update

Wow, is this ever fun! Today I was out in the world and I had an uncomfortable interaction with someone. Almost immediately, I felt the urge to go straight home and re-write it the way I wanted it to happen in my Wish Book.

There was very little mental rehearsal about what had happened. Instead my mind jumped straight into, "How would I like this to be instead?"

I'm finding that it's virtually impossible for me to write a scenario without feeling as if I am inside of it. An immediate and discernible vibrational shift occurs when I put pen to paper.

I can't seem to both remember and create at the same time, and it feels so much better to create.

I'm quite enthralled with this magical process. I think I'll get a tiny Wish Book to carry around with me in my purse!

transform

Transformer by Gnarls Barkley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPzohswI5Tc&feature=related

into the new

I really enjoyed the book excerpt from The Ascension Primer that Karen Bishop included in her WINGS email recently. Since I don't always resonate with the exact constructs she proposes, I just take all kinds of liberties and twist 'em around 'til I like 'em better.

For example, what she calls Ascension, I just think of as personal growth and development. There was a list of about 30 items, but only some of them made my favorites list. Visit her site at www.emergingearthangels.com to read more of her work. My comments are in italics:

Below is a list of new ways of being that usually arrive when we begin to reside in a new and higher vibrating reality.

4. You suddenly see what it is all about and always has been and it has nothing to do with "karma", "contracts", "life lessons", or "Earth as a school".

woo hoo! I've been feeling and saying this for years, and I love reading it in someone else's words! I'm here to play, to create, to express, and to experience. I don't have the slightest interest in learning anything unless it's purely for the fun or challenge of it.

I'm not aware of making any progress or getting closer to any destination, but it is fun to me to be in motion. sorta like a dog riding with her head out the window; tongue whipping all over the place, sniffing it all in. Heck, if I did somehow accidentally manage to get anywhere, I'd probably just get bored and leave again anyway!

5. You are no longer interested in spiritual gatherings, group meditations, or the New Age arena in general.

true for me. started about 10 years ago. I love informal gatherings with like minded friends, but usually don't feel comfy attending meetings with a stated "spiritual" purpose. In fact, the last few I tried to attend, I ended up leaving early to go for a nice hike instead. my favorite soul foods are love, friendship, the sunlight, the mountains, and the pine trees ...

true confession: I have no idea what "spiritual" really means.

7. You crave simplicity and can barely tolerate anything complicated.

this one cracked me up. I thought my eyes were glazing over when I read and heard complex explanations because my brain was just getting older! I still love to read, but I go for the thin books now. nice to know that's just a sign o' the times ...

17. You no longer relate to mental and analytical processes ... We come to know that we only need to feel our way to anywhere... in the higher realms, there is no right or wrong, good or bad, or black or white. Things either feel good (vibrating high) or they feel bad (vibrating low).

whew, that's a relief. cause if I gotta think or analyze my way to anywhere, it's gonna be a real short trip. and with each passing day, it becomes harder to deny that I have definite expanded or contracted feelings about almost everything. will be interesting to see where those take me ...

27. You have an unquenchable thirst for creativity... When you arrive in this space, you will feel like you are almost manic with your creativity. The enormous amount of energy that is now running through you demands an outlet.

[like I said yesterday, dear readers, there's a storm of writing on the way, and I'm grateful to you for reading my outlet!]

does the tree even exist?

Wish I would have found this prior to the dinner party I attended Friday evening. Perhaps I could have made a more articulate contribution to the stimulating conversation regarding whether the tree even exists in the forest, much less makes a sound when it falls, if there is no one to perceive it. (I love getting together with people who think about things like this!) You can read the entire essay in context here: http://www.pamelaheath.com/Skeptics.htm

***
We are now in the middle of a paradigm shift. The classical paradigm, which has been held since Descartes, is based in the underlying assumption that the observer is separate from the observed. In essence, duality. It says that there is a fundamental subject-object (or mind-body) split. This presupposes that there are objective ways to define and measure the fixed external world--which the proponents of this paradigm would say is the only world that matters. The classical paradigm favors experimental research design, which presumes to measure the world in an objective way.

Anyone who has grown up in today's school systems might be justified in being a little confused at this point. We are taught that the double blind controlled experiment is the gold standard research methodology. What happened?

Physics.

The emergence of quantum theory started a fundamental shift in how we understand the world. Physicists suddenly realized that there is always some indeterminacy in our measurements. This is because the act of measurement itself can define and change that which is being measured.

This means that the experimenter is always part of the experiment, and all our "objective" facts are, in fact, potentially flawed.

... And while not all physicists agree, the new paradigm that is emerging is one in which the universe is a single whole, within which every part is intimately connected to every other part.

Thus, the so-called objectivity of the classical paradigm is the true illusion, as an "observer effect" is inevitable in any observation. The experimenter is a part of his or her experiment.
***

and because I love adding emphasis, I want to add some to that last line:

The experimenter is ALWAYS a part of the experiment, and the observer is NEVER separate from what he or she observes. I think that's a good thing to keep in mind while we are being constantly deluged with scientific studies and statistics. Think long and hard about overriding your personal discernment and intuition because of a study, because there are no truly objective experimental designs. Claim the joy, privilege, and responsibility of exercising your own free will.

new free video clip from Abraham-Hicks

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of their philosophy.
Check out their latest free clip on Natural Weight Loss.
Brilliant stuff ... such a beautiful way to relate to our bodies,
whether we want to lose weight or not.

http://www.thinkandgetslim.com/

the artistic crime of the century

Watched Man on Wire, and absolutely loved it! It's a documentary about the guy who walked a tightrope that he and his buddies illegally rigged up between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.

The guy is a nut -- there's just no way around that. But I love nuts. You know me ... I am always inspired by stories of people who refuse to let go of their crazy dreams, no matter what. He decided on his goal even before the towers had been completely constructed, and just blindly and almost belligerently forged ahead, creating an elaborate plan to accomplish the impossible, recruiting others to assist him, fearlessly ignoring wisdom and common sense.

And he succeeded! I was covered in goosebumps as I watched him step out on that wire -- a quarter of a mile up in the air, with no safety harness or net. Woo hoo!

So there's all that, plus the soundtrack included one of my very favorite pieces of classical music:

http://www.last.fm/music/Anne+Queff%C3%A9lec/_/Trois+Gymnopedies%3A+No.+3?autostart

You can read more about Man on Wire on IMDB here:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1155592/
It's recently been released on DVD.

WordWeb

This is a super cool free download! Just put your cursor over any word on your screen and hit Ctrl-Alt-W, and a popup opens with a dictionary definition, synonyms, antonyms, and other useful info.

http://www.download.com/WordWeb/3000-2279_4-10003201.html

on repeat tonight ...

heard Joan Osborne's remake of Cathedrals on the radio today, and went on a quest to find the original. Some music is just so deeply satisfying ... I wonder why that is?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3i8R3JJVGk



here's Joan's version:

book review: Personal Development for Smart People

I have spent many hours enjoying Steve Pavlina's blog at http://www.stevepavlina.com/, so I was very excited when I heard he was writing a book. When he offered free review copies to bloggers who agreed to write honest reviews and post them on their blogs, I applied immediately and was delighted to be accepted. I couldn't wait for the book to arrive, and anticipated devouring it in one weekend and writing a glowing review.

The book arrived in late September. I ripped the package open and dove in, only to find that I simply could not connect with the material. Here we are, a full month later, and I have not cracked it open for three weeks. Yes, I was busy with work. But that never stops me from finding time to read if I'm into a book. I once stayed up all night to finish The Mists of Avalon.

I found myself reading the same words over and over without feeling any meaning behind them. I don't know why this is. We all know I am not normal. I have spent the better part of 25 years absorbing personal development and inspirational books and loving them. Maybe I have simply reached my quota. Maybe my mind just has no room left for even one tiny crumb of a concept. Maybe it is time for me to focus exclusively on my inner guidance. Who knows. Who cares.

BUT ... and it's a big BUT ... last week, I emailed my son, who is 17 and recently joined the Coast Guard, a link to one of Steve's blog posts. He loved it, and went on to spend hours reading the other posts. He's been calling me fairly often during his adjustment to life in the world outside the bubble of our little conscious family and community. I've found myself at a loss to help him deal with the bullying, teasing, harrassment, attempts at manipulation, and games that he has encountered. I put out the intention that a male mentor would show up for him who could offer him the assistance that I can't. And in stepped Steve Pavlina!

So I'm sending the book to my son, and he can't wait to receive it. I am SO excited that Steve will be his virtual mentor. I am confident that man-to-man, his book will offer my son the spiritually intelligent wisdom that he is so hungry for, and the exercises in the book will tap him in to his own inner guidance. I get goosebumps when I think of the life he might build on top of the strong personal foundation he will learn to construct from this book.

Please don't get me wrong - my son is a very emotionally intelligent 17. I'm not saying this book is just for teenagers! It's much more about stage than age. I think it's a comprehensive roadmap for someone starting to examine these things; an initiation to the journey of personal growth, and a guidebook for taking responsibility for your own life. If I was asked to recommend a book for someone who would read only one on this topic, this may very well be it.

At each critical juncture of my own spiritual journey, there was a powerful book acting as a catalyst. I can't tell you how excited I am that I can offer this book to my son. I'm delighted that he will get to chew on bite-sized nuggets of wisdom like: "Distancing yourself from the truth is never a wise long-term decision," and "Excessive routine is the enemy of intelligence."

As I gleefully package it up to mail, I will smile in joyful celebration of my son's first steps toward the "conscious pursuit of personal growth" which is the subtitle of the book. Thank you, Steve. I'm so grateful that you are out there doing what you do. The ripples from your work will reach far and wide.

Incidentally, my son is planning to post his own book review on his blog, so I'll let you know once it's up. You can get more information on the book and how to order it here: http://www.stevepavlina.com/personal-development-for-smart-people/

free online readings using my favorite tarot deck

I'm still holed up working on that contract project, but I thought I'd surface just long enough to share my favorite Tarot deck with you: Osho Zen Tarot. I have the deck of cards, and also love to get free readings from the online version. The cards I draw never fail to hit home for me.

http://www.osho.com/main.cfm?Area=Magazine&Sub1Menu=Tarot&Sub2Menu=OshoZenTarot&Language=English

enjoy!
:)

lullaby

Long time no talk to! And it would have been even longer, since I am buried under a major contract for a few more weeks, except that I took a 10 minute break tonight.

As I stood in my kitchen eating a piece of toast, the sound of a lullaby that I used to sing to my babies wafted to my ears. Frozen for a moment, I realized that my next door neighbor was singing and playing his guitar, and the music was passing right through the walls. It sounded as if he was in my living room, performing just for me.

Incidentally, he's a quietly quirky guy who told me in the one conversation I've had with him over the fence that he has lived here since they built this complex in 1985. Every morning he leaves for work at exactly 6:20, and has been with the same employer for over 30 years. He's never home during the day, does laundry almost every night, (I hear the washer and dryer through the walls, too), and now, I learn, has an incredible singing voice, and a musical taste that I very much appreciate.

The song, You Can Close Your Eyes, was on a tape of lullabies that has since been passed along to another mother. I sang it for hours and hours as I walked the floor with each of my children, as well as the many babies I have cared for over the years. To this day, I'm not sure if I sang more for myself or the little one. Most of the time, we both needed comforting.

So tonight, I surrendered to a few nostalgic tears. Then I went googling, and learned that it's a James Taylor song. Here's Sting singing it in tribute. He starts singing at the 2:05 minute mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X2Y4VCa3qE&feature=related
Back to work. See you in a week or two.

:)k

wisdom book

Wisdom and inspiration from elders all over the world, gathered beautifully and stylistically in one place -- with radiant light in their eyes, and profound insight in their words. So far, Desmond Tutu is my favorite.


http://www.wisdombook.org/

sneaking in veggies

Find myself gravitating back toward a predominantly raw food diet again, except I'm not calling it raw, just "eating as much fresh food as possible, without getting rigid about it." Which means that yesterday at the Labor Day parade I was free to enjoy several soft chewy Tootsie Rolls!

Here's my recipe for a delicious smoothie that you'd never know contains the equivalent of two big salads. My daughter and I love sharing this for breakfast or after school.

2 c. fresh fruit juice (I like OJ best)
2-3 bananas (either fresh or frozen will work)
1 c. blueberries (fresh or frozen)
4 c. salad greens (I use two giant handfuls of the organic stuff from Costco that comes in a big tub. It's already washed and ready to eat.)

optional: a peach or mango if you have one handy
whey protein powder

Blend it up, adding water if necessary. The blueberries will make sure it comes out purple, not green. Mmm mmm good!

there's hope ...

No matter what is going on in world affairs, we still have more in common with each other than not. Check out this video of some guy named Matt dancing a silly dance with people all over the world, ranging from indigenous New Guinea dudes in full tribal regalia to Japanese schoolgirls. It's a real slice of humanity, and I bet it will bring a smile to your face.

http://www.vimeo.com/1211060

get service

loved this kinda cheesy yet poignant YouTube video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LfeXxkbgCVE

chokes me up every time ...

what's playing in my head today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zN9vd9WUiA

Drive
by Incubus

love these lyrics!!

oh! I just found an acoustic version that's even better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpwsuhOUAkk&feature=related

happy virus

after my moments of personal angst have come and gone, I settle in once more to my natural state of being, which Hafiz perfectly expresses for me here:


The Happy Virus

I caught the happy virus last night

When I was out singing beneath the stars.

It is remarkably contagious -

So kiss me.



from The Subject Tonight Is Love - 60 Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz

translations by Daniel Ladinsky

swimming

listened to the June Abraham-Hicks CD this morning, and felt like they were talking directly to me. I've been swimming in grace again lately, after forgetting for a while that I could dip into that pool anytime I wanted to. Now that I say that, I wonder if it it is true that I forgot, really. It feels like more of a natural sort of rhythm, like the in breath and out breath. Forgetting is really not any better than remembering ... it's just part of the cycle. So it's okay.

Anyway, my neck and shoulders are still wracked from being rear-ended, but the therapists that are working with me are simply amazing, and I know I am in good hands. Opportunities for personal and professional expansion are everywhere I look, and what's super cool that I'm really grateful for is that I seem to be able to feel through the many gifts I have been given lately and tap into the Benevolent Giver that is the source of them all.

So when I hear the perfect song on the radio, I know it's not that I need to listen to that station or DJ forever -- they were just the vehicle through which the gift was delivered to me at that moment. And rather than fixating on the packaging, I've been able to enjoy the essence of the gift with gratitude, without grasping on to it, because I know that the Source of all these gifts has infinite delivery methods at its disposal. Not that there's anything wrong with grasping - it's all okay. It's just that this level of detachment and trust is a new and cool thing for me.

Oh, and you all, dear readers, are part of the delivery system! For the first time since I started blogging, I am now aware that people are coming here looking to see if I've written anything. And while that doesn't change the fact that sometimes I have nothing to say (or I'd rather be out at the pool than in here at my keyboard), it does inspire me to check in with myself more often to see if anything wants to come forth. So hey, thanks for being my muses!

bonus summer dvd rental recommendation: Lars and the Real Girl. it was wacky and sweet and out there, and a touching illustration of the internal joy that results from loving others as well as giving them the benefit of the doubt. I enjoyed it immensely.

gee-tar

could I be the only person on the planet who did not know that you could take guitar lessons on youtube? thank you, anonymous commentary person. your name will go down in infamy with my neighbors for giving me the link to Here Comes the Sun, which led me in two clicks to a much easier starter song, Breathe by Anna Nalick, which I will now play obsessively until my fingers bleed or someone yells at my window to shut up, whichever comes first.

Here's my youtube teacher for today. He's exactly my speed. This is so exciting! Now I can play two tunes, Other Side of the World by KT Tunstall, and this one. woo hoo!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xPlWlemhAQQ&feature=related

the nudge

I got rear-ended in a minor fender bender last week. My car had only the teensiest bit of damage, but it's amazing how strongly my neck is reacting to that little love tap!

I've been blessed with good people at every stage of the process. The woman who hit me was compassionate and kind, and sent me to her massage therapist the very next day. He is nothing short of a miracle worker with magic hands, and I instantly pledged my unmitigated devotion and became a client for life. (If you live anywhere near Louisville, CO, I'd urge you call him immediately, except that I hope he doesn't get so busy that I can't see him when I want to! Jeremy at Louisville Massage Center, downtown on Main St. 303 665 2563)

The claims adjuster has been nothing but helpful, and my chiropracter is working with her to bill them directly. (Since I'm on a referring roll today: Dr. Joel Fry at Elite Chiropractic) So it's all been virtually seamless.

It's funny, I know some folks who would think having an accident meant they were somehow vibrationally out of alignment. They might look for metaphorical significance in it; take it as a sign of something needing to be fixed in their lives.

But I'm getting a kick out of a very different interpretation - that the accident is nothing more and nothing less than an opportunity to connect with myself and my fellow earthmates in new and interesting ways. Exactly the same kind of opportunity that comes my way every day -- in line at the grocery store, or with the person who bumps into me in a crowd. Wait .... there's a song about this! .... oh yeah! Peter Gabriel. The time I like is the rush hour, cos I like the rush. The pushing of the people - I like it all so much. Such a mass of motion - do not know where it goes. I move with the movement and ... I have the touch.

Well, I bet that will be playing in my head for hours now, if not days. But earlier today I found myself repeating the phrase I read in an article a long time ago by Alan Cohen:

Thank you for everything. I have no complaint whatsoever.

And it was true. Ahh, the grace of it all!

today's journey (so far)

started with my friend debra's blog ...
http://reachdabbleshine.typepad.com/28yearslater/

.... where I read about Joan Tollifson, who I then googled and enjoyed immensely ...
http://home.earthlink.net/~wakeupjt/rcommndd.htm

... and on her recommended reading list was Wayne Liquorman, whose Ram Tzu book is a favorite on my bookshelf that I haven't read in ages ...
http://advaita.org/AFwayne.htm

...which somehow reminded me of a poem I have kept in the front of my daytimer for about ten years now ...

Be like a bird
Who halting in her flight
On a limb too slight
Feels it give way beneath her
Yet sings
Sings
Knowing she has wings.

So I googled it, and it turns out to be the words to a song, adapted from a poem by Victor Hugo. Who knew? And it's not even 10 am yet ...

visual bliss

At a friend's birthday party tonight, I sat near a guy who mentioned that he was a photographer. You know how I like to google everything, so of course I had to come home and investigate his work online. I am stunned speechless by the, umm ... gorgeousity ... of this man's work. See, that's not even a real word. I told you I was speechless. You will be too.

I just paused for a moment to tell you about him, and now I am going right back to his site to be transported and transformed.

I think lunar is my very favorite category so far.
http://www.steelephoto.com/photo.php?set_id=4

Or is it Flatirons?
http://www.steelephoto.com/photo.php?set_id=2

Oh, I dunno. Do yourself a favor and look at all of them.
http://www.steelephoto.com/index.php

If you feel inspired to use his contact form to tell him how much you enjoyed his work, go for it. He seems like a very decent and humble guy, from what I can tell, and I bet he'd be happy to hear from you. And feel free to pass his site along - it's like a mini online retreat.

If you live near Boulder, I think I heard him say he has a show at the Boulder Public Library gallery for another week or so. His name is Peter Steele.

morning pages

okay, I'm converted! since I started writing three pages every morning when I wake up, I've been remembering dreams like crazy. And as I write them down, I almost always get one of those ah-ha experiences where it feels like one part of me sent a message to another part, and it was received. Very cool.

Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, I'm noticing that since I started journaling every day, my attention has been gravitating toward physical matters. I've been eating more fruits and vegetables and taking walks every day since I started, without even trying. That's a bonus I did not anticipate ... seems that when my mind is freed up from obsessive thinking, it wants to use the extra time and attention to care for my body.

I started Pilates this week, and I love it! I highly recommend my instructor, Desiree, at the Pilates Center in Boulder. I was pretty nervous about it, and she was amazingly reassuring and supportive as she competently led me through the exercises. I left that first session feeling stronger already, and aware of muscles I didn't know I had (in a good way). Read more about her here: http://www.thepilatescenter.com/about/instructors.cfm?insid=6

convincing

this daily quote from alancohen.com really struck a chord with me:

If you know something is true, you don't need to convince anyone of it. If you are trying to convince anyone, it is probably yourself. -- Alan Cohen

today's abraham quote

Be easy about this. Be playful about it. Don't work so hard at it. Let your dominant intent to be to feel good, and if you don't feel good, then let your dominant intent be to feel relief. Feel your way through it. If you think your way through it, you can get off on all kinds of tangents. If you feel your way through it, you can come quickly to your Core Energy, and when you do that only good can then flow to you.

Excerpted from a workshop in Rye, NY on Sunday, October 12th, 1997

All Is Well

www.abraham-hicks.com

psycho valentine candy hearts

this made me laugh until my stomach hurt ...
http://www.despair.com/bittersweets.html

book recos

I'm in an input phase. Came home from the library yesterday with an armful of books and did not get up from the recliner until many hours later. Sometimes I love to just disappear inside the covers of a book and not come out again until it's over. Luckily, my kids are old enough to get their own meals, and I read pretty quickly.

Devoured Julia Cameron's autobiography, Floor Samples. I never got around to reading The Artist's Way, although I've heard wonderful things about it. But I trust those book spines that call so clearly to me from their shelves, so I brought home the biography of a woman I knew nothing about. Whew, what a whirlwind of a life!

Even though I don't feel even remotely creatively blocked, I feel inspired to try The Morning Pages - three pages written every morning stream-of-consciousness style. Still haven't decided whether I want to write with a keyboard or pen. If you haven't heard about this technique, you can read the scoop at www.theartistsway.com in the Tools tab.

Also read The God Theory by Bernard Haisch. My mind is still reeling from the implications of this book. Much of it I'd heard before from a metaphysical rather than scientific perspective. One concept in particular really packs a whallop for me. I'll probably botch this explanation up, so if you are at all interested, make sure to read the book.

You know how a slide projector with no slide in it just projects white light, which actually contains every possible color? Then you put the slide in, and it filters out various colors in the spectrum so that all that remains for us to see on the screen is the blue of the sky or the red of the tablecloth.

Haisch hypothesizes that our brains create our experiences by filtering out various bits of information from the white light that contains absolute potential (God). This concept of the brain as filter or reducer rather than a creator blows me away.

It supports our current model of the 'use it or lose it' biology of the brain. It explains why newborns are able to recognize every sound in every human language, but within months can no longer recognize sounds that are not part of the language that is spoken around them. Maybe what we call socialization is simply the cultural training of our offsprings' filters!

This also explains how autistic savants might have such stunning abilities - their filters are "damaged", and the crack allows them access to more potential than our "normal" filters do. Okay, I think I better go get the book here:

If you think of the white light as a metaphor of infinite, formless potential, the colors on a slide or frame of film become a structured reality grounded in the polarity that comes about through intelligent subtraction from that absolute formless potential. It results from the limitation of the unlimited. I contend that this metaphor provides a comprehensible theory for the creation of a manifest reality (our universe) from the selective limitation of infinite potential (God).
...
I also argue that the individual consciousness comes about through this same process. Our minds are filtered from the mind of God. Our thoughts are filtered from the thoughts of God.

I resonate deeply with his idea that we are all little bits of God, wearing masks that make us forget who we really are so we can have physical experiences for the fun of it. I think the Hindus call this Lila -- the play of God.

'Cause when you think about it, what else does an Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient have on its ToDo list? Why not mix things up a little? And how fun would the games be if we could remember that it was all just pretend? It's so much more interesting if we think it's real. When kids are playing pretend and their character dies, it's not that big of a deal. They just create a new character and come back into the game. Even the bad guys just make the game more fun by adding drama and contrast.

Yeah, of course there's probably much more to the story of Life than that, but I figure I'll have plenty of time to get all that worked out later. Probably MUCH later. For now, I like this. It makes sense to me -- it feels light and playful, and makes me happy to be alive.

I was never big on traditional religion because it just didn't make sense to my heart that some people could be so very right and others so completely wrong about something as important as ETERNITY.

I couldn't get behind a God that actually cared if I ate meat on a Friday. Does he really not have better things to do?

But this -- the idea that we are all Godbits playing in the physical realm just for the fun of it, just for the experience of exanding our Self in new ways -- this, I can get behind. This God does not care who ate meat and who took his name in vain, it's all just part of the fun of experiencing Itself in myriad forms and combinations and permutations. This God has no need to judge. This God, well .... this God kinda sounds like pure Love.

elevator speech

During a walk with my friend Patrick yesterday, the conversation turned to elevator speeches. Those are the marketing tool that you prepare to describe and promote your business in 30 seconds or less - approximately the amount of time you'd have to interact with a stranger in an elevator.

During coach training, we were advised to come up with a quick and pithy description of our coaching services. Even though there are lots of good formulas to help with this, I never had much luck with it. I'd create nice little scripts, but could never remember them later. Patrick suggested something I like so much better:

Just show up in the present moment, pay full attention to the person you are talking to, and trust that if they ask you what you do, the answer that arises naturally will be good enough.

Part of my resistance to the elevator speech concept was that retrieving my prepared script from of my memory banks took a lot of effort, and diverted my attention from the other person. I also hated feeling like I was reciting something that was out of context ... static, rather than dynamic ... dead, rather than alive and growing.

Skilled marketers would probably say that my blurb must have needed some fine-tuning, and that's certainly true! But maybe it's even truer that I'm just not a pre-scripted person.

It's nice to have faith that the fresh content springing from mind to mouth in the moment is adequate enough. Being spontaneously authentic might even be a better way to help folks who are looking for what we have to offer to recognize us when they find us.

techniques for being in the moment

this page is amazing. it teaches simple, quick and powerful techniques that change your inner experience immediately. I'm especially intrigued at their contention that projecting any energy, even love, toward someone is manipulative and draining for the sender. It's a fascinating read.
http://www.kenpage.com/healingtechniques/moment.html

grains of knowledge

check this site out. it expands your vocabulary and donates rice at the same time. what a concept!
http://freerice.com/index.php

ACIM

About ten years ago, I was in a weekly Course in Miracles study group at Unity of Boulder, and I absolutely thrived on the new experience of being able to discuss such radical ideas with other like-minded people. About half way through the year-long course, my interest petered out. Which was fine with me -- I just figured I had gotten what I needed for the moment, and lots of the principles had become part of my inner landscape. I happily moved on to other studies, and thankfully there are now gobs of people in my life with whom I can discuss radical ideas til the cows come home.

Recently, I've felt myself being drawn back to the Course. The same barriers that had prohibited me from embracing it fully back then were still present; the Christian lexicon, a masculine God, etc. But I found myself feeling very determined to figure out a way to access this material that would work for me. And then I came across the transcriptions of Ken Wapnick's lectures at http://www.facim.org/acim/ex-series.htm. Voila! It was much easier for me to understand the meaning without getting hung up on the form.

So here are a few quotes from Ken that I really enjoyed:

My failure to understand what love is does not change love. My attacks on love do not change love. Love simply waits patiently within my mind until I return to it.
~
The example is very helpful to remember as well when we find ourselves tempted to tell people the "truth" and hit them over the head with it. Rather, what we want to do is love them. We do not want to hit them over the head with the "truth," which is always form. Love is never form. Truth is never form -- it is content. It is expressed in form, but the form is not the love. Whether I am teaching you directly what A Course in Miracles is saying or I am going shopping with you, knowing full well what the meaning of the shopping is for you, if love is in my heart, that is the message that you will receive. And that is the message that I will be offering. I can only do that if I first join with love in my own mind.
~
Again, we are not asked to deny what we see. We are simply asked to put everything into one of two categories -- either an expression of love or a call for love.

tips for helping kids who are non-traditional learners

there is some amazing content here. wish I would have seen this years ago, when my kids were in elementary school ...
http://www.diannecraft.org/tutoringinstructions.html

common sense and science

here's what's been fascinating me lately:

Mellen-Thomas Benedict was dead for 90 minutes, and had quite an experience before he came back. Very profound stuff - hopeful and empowering:
http://www.mellen-thomas.com/index.html

German New Medicine: The theory that illness in the body is actually an adaptive response to a stress conflict makes deeply good sense to me, and changes everything in terms of intervention.
http://germannewmedicine.ca/documents/welcome.html

Primary Perception: My life changed dramatically when I read The Secret Life of Plants years ago and learned that scientists had proven that plants and bacteria respond to our intention. Cleve Backster was apparently behind this research, and has his own site:
http://www.primaryperception.com/bio/

notes to a parent

Just came from a parenting consultation home visit. As I was summarizing some key points from our session to email to her, it occurred to me that even though it's out of context, maybe other parents might benefit from reading it. So here it is:

- It's okay for you to have needs!! Needs are part of the human experience.

(In our Connected Parenting classes, we teach the ABC's of Five Core Needs: Autonomy, Basic Essentials like food, water and safety, Connection, Contribution, and Creativity.)

We all get snarky when we go too long without getting these core needs met, and then we aren't the kind of parent, spouse or friend that we want to be. Therefore, consider yourself Permitted to find ways to meet those needs! (And there are plenty of ways to take care of yourself without compromising your values as a parent, so it's not an All or Nothing situation. There's quite a range of possibilities between having baby in bed with you and letting baby cry it out alone for hours.)

- Parents are giving their children a powerful gift when they acknowledge their own human needs, as well as their children's, with neutral matter-of-fact acceptance, rather than hiding them because they seem like weaknesses. Modeling has a greater impact than anything else we do as parents. It's wonderful for our kids to experience the joy and connection that happens while we brainstorm creative ways for both parties to get their needs met. That's a major life skill that will serve them well.

- Baby steps! Big changes can happen in small increments. When you want to make a change or try a new experiment, it's okay to take it slow. Look for the smallest possible step, one that is so small that it almost doesn't even register on your radar screen as a change. A step that makes you say, Sure, no problem! I can do that easily!! For example, if you want to help the baby start learning to soothe himself a bit, wait just 3 seconds longer than you usually do before going to him when he starts fussing. Try it out, and see how it goes.

When it feels like you are ready for more, look for the next smallest possible adjustment and make that one. Maybe try waiting 4 seconds. And continue on in this effortless way until you are where you want to be.

My friend has a needlepoint on her kitchen wall of a saying that's been in her family for generations: Yard by yard, life is hard. Inch by inch, it's a cinch! I find it strangely comforting in a cheesy sort of way.

- Work your way up to full contact. Start with the smallest intervention when wanting to soothe your child. Rather than immediately picking him up when he fusses a bit, first try talking or singing, moving yourself within view so he can see you, looking into his eyes and smiling, a gentle touch, and rubbing his back or feet or head. And then go right ahead and pick him up if none of that has helped to soothe him. Being present for our children in these progressive steps is a wonderful way to foster healthy attachment - your child experiences you as available, attentive, and responsive, and he also gets the opportunity to gently expand his self-soothing abilities.

- Remember to breathe deeply. Allow yourself at least one calming deep breath before taking a soothing action for your child. Actions are more effective when they spring from a place of inner alignment. (and oxygenation!)

- It's all yoga. Kids bring us to our edges every day. Parenting is the ultimate asana! When we are at our edge emotionally or mentally -- the place where we think we can't stand it a second longer -- we don't always have to run away. Sometimes we can stay there and breathe a bit, and we may find we can go a little deeper, or we may decide to retreat. Either choice is okay. It's the deep breath that allows us to decide rather than react.

- You are the expert on your child. No author, professor, therapist, or consultant can trump what you know about yourself and your children. Consider what you hear or read and see if it resonates with your own inner guidance and intuition. If it makes it through that filter, then experiment with it. If it is not effective, or the price you or your child pay feels too high, then pitch it out and try something else.


I hope this has been helpful! I work with parents all over the country via telephone consultations, so please keep me in mind if you know a parent who is seeking some assistance. There's more information on my website: www.karenalonge.com


warmly,
karen

more quotes I like from alan cohen

Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes you make or dark images you hold about yourself and even defend. They remember your beauty when you feel ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose when you are confused.



All limits exist only in the mind, and it is only in the mind that they can be overcome.

All of your errors have not built a wall against your success. They have paved your way to it.

Anything good for you brings out the best in you and does not force you to make believe you are something you are not.

At any moment you have two voices in our head: one that tells you that you can’t, and another that tells you that you can. Which will prove true? The one you give the most attention to. The one you act on. The one you make a stand for.

No matter what has happened, let today be new.

Outlandish ideas move the world ahead far more powerfully than logical steps. An outrageous imagination is ultimately the most practical contribution.

Preparing to live is not living. Don’t miss this moment ― it’s all you ever dreamed of.

Somehow it all works out.

The quality of your life equals the ratio of appreciation to complaint.

lots more here:

http://www.alancohen.com/Quotes/quotesbyalancohen1.htm

relationship life preservers

I just finished writing a marathon email to a friend whose husband has more or less checked out of their marriage and is ignoring her. I wanted to share it with you, too, in case it resonates with anyone.

~

Now that I'm back at my computer and thinking clearly, I wanted to share one more relationship idea. It's radical, and you may feel kinda repulsed by it, so I'll just throw it out there trusting that you will either pitch it out or experiment with it as you see fit.

I guess it's based on a few premises which might seem really silly when you first hear them. Even if they sound like crap, it might be worth an experiment. At the risk of dangerous oversimplification, I'll try to describe them briefly.

Most men need a mission in life. They are wired to feel good when they make a difference or accomplish something. When they feel aimless or useless for whatever reason, and that reason might have nothing at all to do with their relationship, they can sort of implode into depression.

This might sound really stupid, but I haven't yet met a man who did not thrive on feeling like his woman's hero. Of course that has nothing to do with income, competence, or anything material. It's emotional. They want to know that they have something unique and powerful to offer to their lover. And they do, or we would not have chosen them. Sometimes they need to be reminded about what that is when they have lost sight of it.

The woman who loves him can sometimes offer a temporary lifeline into feeling like a hero again with two strategies: speaking only gratitude, and asking for their help.

These are sort of "medicinal" strategies; applied in specific doses to support a healing from within. You are right that we cannot truly bring anyone out of depression or change them.

These are just life preserver rings that we throw out into the water. We feel better having something to try, and he may just grab hold of one and pull himself to the side of the boat.

So the life preservers might look like this: when he gets home, the first thing he hears is that you are happy to see him. If that's not even true at this point, then maybe it's true that your daughter is happy to see him, so you say that with sincerity.

Then you might ask for his help on something for dinner. The request is really straightforward. "Honey, will you mash those potatoes for me?" If he does it, great. You don't help him or make suggestions or comments, even if he does it completely wrong.

When he's done, you say a warm and simple thank you. All the better if it is accompanied by a kiss, a gentle touch on the shoulder, or at least eye contact.

If he doesn't do it, that's fine too. You were planning on doing it yourself anyway, so you just take care of it.

The rest of the night goes this way. Mostly gratitude and appreciative comments, sprinkled with an occasional request, which is offered in complete neutrality only one time. If he does it, he hears more gratitude. If not, you just do it with no comment.

If you honestly can't find one thing to appreciate, then don't say anything until you can. If you have to dig, you could look for something he did around the house back when he was feeling good, like, "Wow, I feel so lucky to have this terrific deck that you made for us,"or whatever.

The whole time you are taking care of yourself emotionally, listening to yourself, acknowledging your feelings internally, and doing whatever it takes to unilaterally calm your own anxiety or anger. When you need to vent some steam, do it with girlfriends.

A few days of this might help him to let his guard down a little bit and show some vulnerability or emotion. If he does, you'll want to meet his disclosures with as much understanding as you can. One way to do that is to simply repeat what you think he is expressing back to him, and wait for his confirmation, and ask if there's more. Then ask if you can share your feelings about it before doing so.

Even if he does not open or soften, it might be good medicine for you, anyway. We always feel better when we focus our attention on finding things to appreciate, and it takes our minds off of noticing what is so painfully wrong.

Yes, it can take a LOT of discipline to do this. And if I know only one thing about you it's that you are a powerful woman! Even if all you can muster is one appreciative comment in an evening of otherwise gentle and accepting silence, it's still something.

so anyway, sorry, that was pretty long. I'll shut up now and just say that I am wishing you both all the best.



Karen Alonge
720 771 8915
www.karenalonge.com
Contact me to schedule a parenting consultation by phone,
or to register for Connected Parenting classes near Boulder, CO.

bedtime prayer

Not many people know that I was raised Catholic. Liberal Catholic, with guitar masses and really hip religious education. One time we spent the whole class listening to Barry Manilow's song The Miracle is YOU! and talking about what miracles we all are. It was pretty cool.

My mom did everything about religion right, in my opinion. She never forced us to go to church, but she went every Sunday, and I usually tagged along because she was all dressed up and smelled so nice and I wanted to be with her. These days, even though I no longer practice any religion, I still think we are all miracles. And I still remember dozens of songs from those guitar masses, and find comfort in them.

So when I found myself writing to a religious friend whose father had recently passed away that I would keep his family in my prayers, I had a brief moment of consternation. 'Wait a second," I thought, "I don't pray!" And I don't, not in the traditional sort of way. I guess it's just sort of shorthand for saying, "I'll be thinking fondly and supportively of you guys, and sending extra love and attention your way."

This whole line of thought incited a flashback to the bedtime prayer that we said every night when we were kids. I think I was in my late 20's before I realized that my mom had done some serious editing of the original. She was WAY ahead of her time, (still is, in fact!) and when I remembered this today I was stunned at the depth of insight and understanding that she expressed so beautifully. She blessed our little beings every night for years by sending us off to sleep with visions of optimism, service, and gratitude dancing in our heads. I want to share it with you all because it's just too good to die off with the three of us. Mom, you are amazing!

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

When in the morning light I wake,
Show me the path of love to take.

God bless Mommy and Daddy,
God bless Karen, CJ, and Paul,
God bless all our friends and relatives.

Thank you for a very nice day.

raindrops keep falling on my head

from www.dailyOM.com:

When we simply allow ourselves to fully feel our feelings as they come, we tend to let them go easily. This is all we are required to do; our feelings simply want to be felt. We often complicate the situation by applying mental energy in the form of analysis, when all we really need is to allow, as the earth allows the rain to fall upon it. As the rain falls, the earth responds in a multitude of ways, sometimes emptying out to form a great canyon, sometimes soaking it up to nourish an infinitude of plants. In the same way, the deeper purpose of our feelings is to transform the terrain of our inner world, sometimes creating space for more feelings to flow, sometimes providing sustenance for growth. All we need to do is allow the process by relaxing, opening, and receiving the bounty of our emotions.

Connected Parenting class info

You've heard me talk enthusiatically about creating a new parenting model with my colleague Robin. Here are the details:

Connected Parenting

This comprehensive five week course gives parents concrete tools for identifying and addressing the dynamics that motivate behavior, including development, temperament and needs. Learn how to apply our three-step problem solving process to neutralize emotional outbursts and transform power struggles into problem-solving opportunities.

Instructors Robin Goldstein-Lincoln MA, LPC, and Karen Alonge have over 30 years combined experience educating and counseling parents, and have synthesized the most effective tools and concepts into their own parenting model.

Several classes for parents of teens, school age children, and young children will begin this fall in the Boulder area. For more information please visit www.karenalonge.com/classes.html

If you've already taken one of our classes, you might be interested in our Connected Parents Resource Group (CPRG), which we offer to provide ongoing information and support to parents.

Come to discuss more about child development, temperament and underlying needs as they relate to generating win-win solutions.

The group for parents of children meets in South Boulder
on the first Sunday of each month from 11:30 am - 12:45 pm.

The group for parents of teens meets in South Boulder
on the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 pm - 2:15 pm.

Drop-ins are welcome. Cost is $20.

Please confirm with us by phone or email by Thursday
of that week if you plan to attend.

Contact us for the location.

Robin: (303) 818 7086
robinglincoln@msn.com

Karen: (720) 771 8915
karen@karenalonge.com

That's all for now!
Soon we hope to teach these classes by teleclass as well, so let me know if you are interested.
:)

that's why

I just got back from a lovely family reunion on the Gulf Beaches of Florida.
I still feel as relaxed as jello ... the sun, the sand, the good company ... so wonderful.

oh, and I even got shat on by a big ol pelican! rumor has it that's good luck.
LOL. uh huh. hope so. that stuff was tough to get out of my purse.

anyway, when I got home I caught up on my friend debra's blog and found this gem:
***
You are not on earth to make things happen. You are not on earth to spread the love. You are not on earth to make it a better place or to learn acceptance of the things you cannot change. You are not on earth to find your soul mate or your purpose. You are not on earth to put the needs of others before your own. And you are most certainly not on earth to suffer, pay penance, be tested, or judged.

Did I leave anything out?

You are on earth because in your loftiest state of being, perched high above the wonderment, at the pinnacle of your glory, you wondered what it would be like, even fleetingly, to believe in limits.

You sage
-The Universe

Thoughts become things... choose the good ones!®
© http://www.tut.com/ ®
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
And when you can grasp this from within the illusions, you will also grasp how unlimited you truly are. (And we'll probably never hear the end of it...)
***
here's what I say to that: YEE HAW!!!! I love it.
I struggled for years to make sense of that whole "Life is a school" philosophy. Finally I gave up and decided maybe life was actually the playground!

How would you live if your experience was simply a gift to the Creator, rather than a lesson, a growth opportunity, or a test?

ps: If you like this message, check out www.tut.com for a free subscription to daily love notes from the universe. cool stuff there.

attitude is contagious

this is a great little youtube clip which demonstrates in a measurable way the impact that positive thoughts in our own minds have on ourselves and those around us.

there are two parts, so be sure to click on part 2 after part 1 ends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLVFcVGv2MY

EFT video

a 7 minute intro to EFT, a healing modality which I use regularly on my clients and myself with great success. Anyone can learn it for free. It's painless, quick, and effective. And did I mention free? check this out:
http://www.emofree.com/splash/video_popup.html

an easy way to improve your relationship

ooh, I couldn't have said this better myself, so I'll just send you over to Susan Page for a very quick read. Although this author writes and teaches about adult relationships, I found this posted on a parenting site because much of her advice works in that context, too.

http://www.parentingbookmark.com/pages/SPage03.htm

dynamics of illness and health

this fantastic article, written by an MD, explains the mind/body connection in the clearest terms I've ever seen.

http://www.emofree.com/Articles2/emotional-healing-robins.htm

automated reminders

I often get so mentally focused on writing or researching that I remain immobile in front of my computer screen for hours. So I am grinning at the irony of the new free software I just downloaded, which automatically flashes a reminder message on my screen at intervals I select. I wrote my own messages, which say things like look out the window, get up and stretch, take a drink of water, etc. Yes, I still have to look at the screen to see the reminder, but since that's what I'm doing anyway, it works! just going with the flow here ... starting where I am. :)

http://www.motivator.ws/motivator/default.aspx?sj=true

insightful article on The Secret

http://www.themastersofthesecret.com/letter/

carnival of deliberate creation

visit here to find links to lots of cool blog entries about the Law of Attraction ... including mine! :)

http://www.optimistlab.com/index.php/2007/03/21/the-carnival-of-deliberate-creation-2-perspectives/

the science behind the law of attraction

thanks to my friend chari for passing this along to me. sorry about all the >> ... I'm just not in the mood to go through line by line and remove them. :)

I can't vouch for the scientific validity of these studies, and they make some bold claims that I would probably not be comfortable making based on these results, but I thought it was interesting reading nonetheless.


Energy Research Corp. has developed
>> a product they believe can effect (heal), even to the cellular level,
>> with no physical contact. It is based on quantum energy. The results
>> of their beta test with 600 volunteers over 8 months is astonishing.
>> *Understanding a Secret of the Universe*
>> Below are three astonishing experiments with DNA which proves that
>> DNA can heal itself according to the "feelings" of the individual as
>> reported recently by Gregg Braden. In his recent program entitled
>> Healing Hearts/Healing Nations: The Science of Peace and the Power of
>> Prayer, Gregg Braden discussed how in the past we lost huge amounts
>> of information from ancient spiritual traditions (when the library at
>> Alexandria burned we lost at least 532,000 documents), and that there
>> may be information in those traditions which could help us understand
>> some of the mysteries of science. To this end he reported on three
>> very interesting experiments. Gregg Braden started off as a scientist
>> and engineer, before he began pursuing these larger questions.
>>
>> *EXPERIMENT #1*
>>
>> The first experiment reported was done by Dr.Vladimir Poponin, a
>> quantum biologist. In this experiment, first a container was emptied
>> (i.e. a vacuum was created within it), and then the only thing left
>> photons (particles of light) they measured the distribution (ie the
>> location) of the photons and found they were completely random inside
>> the container. This was the expected result.
>>
>> Then some DNA was placed inside the container and the distribution
>> (location) of the photons was remeasured. This time the photons were
>> LINED UP in an ORDERED way and aligned with the DNA. In other words
>> the physical DNA had an effect on the non- physical photons.
>>
>> After that, the DNA was removed from the container, and the
>> distribution of the photons was measured again. The photons REMAINED
>> ORDERED and lined up where the DNA had been. What are the light
>> particles connected to?
>>
>> Gregg Braden says we are forced to accept the possibility that some
>> NEW field of energy, a web of energy, is there and the DNA is
>> communicating with the photons through this energy.
>>
>> *EXPERIMENT #2*
>>
>> These were experiments done by the military. Leukocytes (white blood
>> cells) were collected for DNA from donors and placed into chambers so
>> they could measure electrical changes. In this experiment, the donor
>> was placed in one room and subjected to "emotional stimulation"
>> consisting of video clips, which generated different emotions in the
>> donor. The DNA was placed in a different room in the same building.
>> Both the donor and his DNA were monitored and as the donor exhibited
>> emotional peaks or valleys (measured by electrical responses), the
>> DNA exhibited the IDENTICAL RESPONSES AT THE EXACT SAME TIME. There
>> was no lag time, no transmission time. The DNA peaks and valleys
>> EXACTLY MATCHED the peaks and valleys of the donor in time.
>>
>> The military wanted to see how far away they could separate the donor
>> from his DNA and still get this effect. They stopped testing after
>> they separated the DNA and the donor by 50 miles and STILL had the
>> SAME result. No lag time; no transmission time.
>>
>> The DNA and the donor had the same identical responses in time. What
>> can this mean? Gregg Braden says it means that living cells
>> communicate through a previously unrecognized form of energy. This
>> energy is not affected by time and distance. This is a non- local
>> form of energy, an energy that already exists everywhere, all the time.
>>
>> *EXPERIMENT #3*
>>
>> The third experiment was done by the Institute of Heart Math and the
>> paper that was written about this was titled: Local and Non local
>> Effects of Coherent Heart Frequencies on Conformational Changes of
>> DNA. (Disregard the title! The info is incredible.)
>>
>> This is the experiment that relates directly to the anthrax
>> situation. In this experiment, some human placenta DNA (the most
>> pristine form of DNA) was placed in a container from which they could
>> measure changes in the DNA. Twenty-eight vials of DNA were given (one
>> each) to 28 trained researchers. Each researcher had been trained how
>> to generate and FEEL feelings, and they each had strong emotions.
>>
>> What was discovered was that the DNA CHANGED ITS SHAPE according to
>> the feelings of the researchers:
>> 1. When the researchers FELT gratitude, love and appreciation, the
>> DNA responded by RELAXING and the strands unwound. The length of the
>> DNA became longer.
>>
>> 2. When the researchers FELT anger, fear, frustration, or stress, the
>> DNA responded by TIGHTENING UP. It became shorter and SWITCHED OFF
>> many of our DNA codes! If you've ever felt "shut down" by negative
>> emotions, now you know why your body was equally shut down too. The
>> shut down of the DNA codes was reversed and the codes were switched
>> back on again when feelings of love, joy, gratitude and appreciation
>> were felt by the researchers.
>>
>> This experiment was later followed up by testing HIV positive
>> patients. They discovered that feelings of love, gratitude and
>> appreciation created 300,000 TIMES the RESISTANCE they had without
>> those feelings. So here's the answer to what can help you stay well,
>> no matter what dreadful virus or bacteria may be floating around.
>> Stay in feelings of joy, love, gratitude and appreciation!
>>
>> These emotional changes went beyond the effects of electro-
>> magnetics. Individuals trained in deep love were able to change the
>> shape of their DNA. Gregg Braden says this illustrates a new
>> recognized form of energy that connects all of creation. This energy
>> appears to be a TIGHTLY WOVEN WEB that connects all matter.
>> Essentially we're able to influence this web of creation through our
>> VIBRATION.
>>
>> *SUMMARY:* What do the results of these experiments have to do with
>> our present situation? This is the science behind how we can choose a
>> timeline to stay safe, no matter what else is happening. As Gregg
>> explains in The Isaiah Effect, basically time is not just linear
>> (past, present and future), but it also has depth. The depth of time
>> consists of all the possible prayers and timelines that could ever be
>> prayed or exist. Essentially, all our prayers have already been
>> answered. We just activate the one we're living through our FEELINGS.
>>
>> THIS is how we create our reality - by choosing it with our feelings.
>> Our feelings are activating the timeline via the web of creation,
>> which connects all of the energy and matter of the Universe.
>>
>> Remember that the law of the Universe is that we attract what we
>> focus on. If you are focused on fearing whatever may come, you are
>> sending a strong message to the Universe to send you whatever you
>> fear. Instead if you can get yourself into feelings of joy, love,
>> appreciation or gratitude, and focus on bringing more of that into
>> your life, you are going to avoid the negative stuff automatically.
>>
>> You will be choosing a different TIMELINE with your feelings. You can
>> prevent getting anthrax or any other flu, virus, etc, by staying in
>> these positive feelings, which maintains an incredibly strong immune
>> system. So here's your protection for whatever comes: Find something
>> to be happy about every day, and every hour if possible,moment-to-
>> moment, even if only for a few minutes. This is the easiest and best
>> protection you can have. If nothing else, be joyous that the
>> criminals have "already been caught" by the Universe!

write locally, be read globally

I'm delighted about being featured in a blog carnival about miracles, which is hosted by a fellow blogger in India:
http://letthesunshinein.wordpress.com/2007/03/11/the-carnival-of-miracles-edition-2/

I'm also in the Carnival of Family Life this week:
http://stkappleto.blogspot.com/2007/03/carnival-of-family-life-45.html

:)karen

www.karenalonge.com

mom's bloggin

gee, this is a neat idea .... a blog party full of interesting stuff by and for moms.
http://www.5minutesformom.com/

If you came over from the party, I'm a parenting consultant. Click on the 'parenting' label below this post to read my parenting advice.

and please feel free to contact me for a free 15 minute conversation - I offer parenting consultations by phone, email, and will even come to your home if you live near Boulder, CO.

come to think of it, I'll come to your home if you live in Hawaii too, if you pay travel expenses! [tee hee hee. No, seriously, I will! or anyplace else that's warm and sunny. It's been a looong winter here.]

:)k

www.karenalonge.com
720 771 8915

self defense

As a parent, it is important to me that I prepare my kids to navigate safely through the real world. Teaching traffic safety rules was easy, but I had no idea how to empower my teenage daughter to protect herself from unwanted attention or contact.

So I was thrilled when I met Monica Hall from www.active1selfdefense.com at a women's networking meeting. This weekend, my daughter and I completed her self defense training with a group of mothers and their teenage daughters.

Over the course of just two short hours, each of us experienced profound transformation in our awareness, body language, confidence, and assertiveness. The training took us far beyond intellectual understanding -- it actually rewired our bodily response to fear.

No more freezing like a deer in the headlights while we hope the verbal or physical intimidation will stop! Now we know how to use our powerful voices to back someone off, and we can follow through with physical measures if necessary.

Words cannot express the satisfaction and delight in my heart as I watched my petite 13 year old daughter physically take down a massive padded attacker! Hearing the power and clarity in her voice as she yelled at him to BACK OFF!!! was music to my ears. This training is absolutely priceless.

I strongly encourage every mother to take this training with your daughter. It may literally save her life.

If you live in Colorado, you can reach Monica at www.active1selfdefense.com. If you live elsewhere, Monica may have some suggestions regarding who to contact in your area.

at the home and garden show

I don't know why, but this struck me as so darn funny I almost fell over.

Lots of booths had samples out to taste, but I was pretty grossed out by the masses of humanity all dipping their pretzels into the same container of cheese or whatever it was.

and even signs like this did not convince me to dive in!!

incidentally, 16 years ago I was pregnant with my son and went into labor at the home and garden show. yesterday I saw about a million pregnant women. hopefully they all made it home before delivery like I did ...

Vision Board for your Computer!!

now THIS is very cool, and I just heard about it earlier today -- a software download that allows you to create virtual vision boards on your computer, complete with affirmations, to be displayed at a click and also as your screen saver! best of all, you can change or fine tune it whenever you want.

it's a whole different kind of cutting and pasting - no glue or paper scraps! It costs about $30, which to me is a steal considering the flexibility and ease of access. I can't wait to start creating mine ...

update: I HAVE created mine - the first of many! It has so many uses - I'm thinking I could make one for every mood on the emotional scale, to take me from where I am to one step higher. wheeee, this is fun!!!

http://www.visualizeyourgoals.com/cgi-bin/t.cgi?a=436399

free teleclasses

howdy-

just occurred to me that some of you might not know that I lead free monthly telegatherings on these subjects:

the movie The Secret and the Law of Attraction
Joint Custody with an Uncooperative Ex
Parenting: Dealing with Difficult Behaviors

if you are interested in attending, drop me an email (karen@karenalonge.com) and I'll give you the phone number.

namaste,
karen

for that special someone ...

these t-shirts are TOO funny to miss!
visit the site even if you don't need a gift, just for the fun of it.

www.delightenment.com

LOL

from a sweatshirt I saw in the Signals catalog. This is SO up my alley ...

National Sarcasm Society
Like we need your support.