I used to religiously write two blogs a week, that is how I got to over 700 blogs and 4,000,000 words on possibility and being read in 160 of the 194 countries across the planet.
Let’s go back to January 3, 2022. Why is that date significant? That is when I wrote my last blog. I had a crazy thought that nobody was reading my words even though empirical evidence showed this to be untrue.
I have sat in front of my keyboard many times and nada.
I have just completed my dear friend Clare Elizabeth Dea’s Love and Money course. One result out of it I did not expect was to get my words back, but I frigging did.
I like celebrations so I will write my first official blog on January 3, 2023.
Until then here is a quote and a song to get back in practice..
Imagination belongs to hope. It’s the creative dance of possibility
I am not an anti vaccer, this is because as a young child to be kept alive I received quite a lot of vaccines and accepted that you had to take things that you may not like but were in the end good for you. Another term I heard recently regarding this area was Pro-choice which I thought related to the abortion movement, or it did in the seventies.
I have seen people posting via social media utter nonsense, that horse medicine is better than vaccines, that COVID is an international plot and the purpose of the vaccine is to put a microchip in you. If someone started a conversation about these subjects I would have to request that they stop as I am far too logical to listen to it.
What upsets me is that in these hard times I have heard of cases where people have written off friendships because we agree to disagree. Nobody gets through life without losing someone they love, someone they need, or something they thought was meant to be. Here are some lessons we have learnt over these painful times:
You are not what happened to you in the past.
Focus on what you have, not on what you don’t.
Struggling with problems is a natural way of growing.
It’s OK to fall apart for a little while.
Life is fragile, sudden, and shorter than it often seems.
Emotionally separate yourself from your problems.
Don’t make a problem bigger than it is.
View every challenge as an educational assignment.
Things change, but the sun always rises the next day.
Giving up and moving on are two different things.
Perfect relationships don’t exist.
You must love yourself too.
Don’t let others make decisions for you.
Resentment hurts them, not you.
Consciously nurture your inner hope.
It’s better to be hurt by the truth than comforted by a lie.
Not getting what you want can be a blessing.
Laughter is the best medicine for stress.
Worrying is literally a waste of energy.
Even when it’s hard to move, take small steps forward.
You are better off without some people you thought you needed.
You are only competing against yourself.
Life is not easy.
Your future is unwritten.
You are not trapped, you just need to relearn a few things.
Everything in life is two-sided.
You always have a choice.
Let others in when you are in a dark place.
If you ask negative questions , you will get negative answers.
The end is a new beginning.
This is not the first time that disagreements like this have happened over time, I’m sure there are quotes over the decades that discussed this dilemma, lets have a look:
1. I is not worth going over the limit if you know their opinion is different to yours.
11. Eugenia is an inspirational writer and poet. I believe this quote relates to her second book of poetry “Take a step right now towards your dreams“.
15.And for our final lesson, we look at the action versus the practice.
So from writing this, I have come to the solution that we can disagree to disagree but we do not need to give up our friendships.
Today’s playlist has two of my favourite songs on it, I will let you guess which one’s. We begin with 2 pop legends:John Legend and Shakira. Three lesser known groups and artists follow: Erasure, Prince Mpfarutsa and Bliss and Eso. The penultimate track is Carrie Underwood and we finish with Rag and Bone Man: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrt9dG5wUc1bJ9E1_DkZkEow
COVID has tested my ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included, but I have set up two Facebook groups to help with the spread of it: Interculturalism – https://www.facebook.com/groups/183421768519278 and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to Humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949. Whereever you are in the world reading this, I invite you to join our merry bands of travelers.
Have you ever written yourself advice in the past or the future. I have done both several times at different periods in my life, the first being in our counter-culture English teachers class in High School. I came across a list a friend wrote recently and feel it has some great advice as it was written around the same time in his life. It was for his future self to his younger self.
Your thirties, forties and fifties won’t feel like your thirties, forties and fifties.
Bad things will happen to you and your friends.
Everyone can make a huge difference.
First impressions aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
Big results come when you narrow your focus.
Love yourself. Become your own priority.
Sometimes you just have t go for it.
In order to get, you have to give.
Not much is worth fighting about.
Don’t try to impress everyone.
Keep having fun.
Keep it simple.
Little things stick with you.
Keep your opinions to yourself.
Manage your time.
Manage your money.
What you learn in school does matter.
Dreams will remain dreams forever if you don’t take action.
What he did different was he interviewed his father who at the time was in his early 50’s. So what have we as a human race said about sage advice for the future, let’s have a look:
So this made me think about advice my parents had given me over the years and the times I ignored them. As my friend said, looking back they were right most of the time. This is one of the gifts of eldership.
For today’s playlist we begin with one of my favourite Australian singer/songwriters Anne McCue. Then the second Elvis, Elvis Costello. Three fine female singers follow: Shakira, Marilyn Monroe and Billie Ellish. The penultimate song is a 60’s classic by Scott McKenzie and we finish with Martin Luther King: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrt4bcuSvPP1abdV9OUkpqgs
Supporting, guiding and making contributions to other people is one of life’s greatest rewards. Everything you do comes around. Who knows what our futures will be, all I know that mine will include spreading Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. I have set the plan in place through my two Facebook groups: Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949 and Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183421768519278. You are cordially invited to join one or both of these groups as the more supporting this ethos the merrier.
I had a coaching session with my friend Lou today and as per usual she asked me what was showing up and what would I like to work on today. We have been in lock-down for over 200 days in my state of Victoria in the last year and I was feeling it today so I stated that I felt a little empty inside especially in my hands. We did some exercises and I noticed that I was forming fists of anger instead of contacting my heart to resolve the issue of what was having me feel this way.
When do we go in the direction of our heads ILO our hearts to resolve matters of the body. Often I do it when life has pushed me over, when really it’s time to stand up and push back even harder. Where there is a fork in the road and choices to make, make the ones your future self will thank you for. Today,start:
Choosing you.
Appreciating what you have.
Believing in yourself and your dreams.
Being positive.
Taking action.
Letting go.
Picking yourself back up.
Ignoring negative people.
Staying in touch with close friends and family.
Making time for fun.
Spreading love and kindness.
Being the change you want to see in the world.
So what has society said about listening to the heart over the centuries, let’s have a look:
1. Advice Pocahontas gave to the invaders of her land.
7. Bold, Brave and Strong, such worthy attributes in life.
8. Bryant McGill is a human potential thought leader, international bestselling author, activist, and social entrepreneur. He is one of the world’s top social media influencers reaching a billion people a year:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa7PUQAQ3zo
9. There is a right way to listen, this explains it well.
Believe in your heart. Listen to your soul as well. Trust your instincts. Acknowledge your own strengths. Dream it and dare it. Do what you are afraid of, and capable of. Follow your vision. Know that anything is possible. Know you Can.
A couple of classics on the playlist today. Elton John leads us off. Then Roxette do that song about hearts followed by Neil Young. 2Pac does a rap cover of Roxette next with Michael Kiwanuka rocking one out next. The penultimate song is Eminem and we complete with Twenty One Pilots: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrsF_nUjfphbe4SiEWUmM-ug
I think your heart wants the best for you but sometimes we forget this when we make mistakes following it and we get scared off. My ethos for Interculturalism: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included comes from my heart-space. I use two Facebook groups to support the spread of it. The first and oldest is Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Interulturalism, the second is Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949. You are always welcome yo join our band of merry travelers, just click on the links. Until next time my dear friends.
Last Thursday in my home town of Preston, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia we reached a notable breakthrough. It was 200 days we have been in Lockdown since the start of the pandemic, number six in fact with short breaks in between. You could let this take you on a deep ride of despair or contemplate what your new future will be after the light has returned..
So how do you find strength in hard times It is these losses that make us stronger and eventually move us toward future opportunities for growth and happiness. here are some thoughts to get through this stage:
You are not what happened to you in the past.
Focus on what you have, not on what you don’t.
Struggling with problems is a natural part of growing.
It’s OK to fall apart for a little while.
Life is fragile, sudden, and shorter than it often seems.
Emotionally separate yourself from your problems.
Don’t make a problem bigger than it is.
View every challenge as an educational assignment.
Things change, but the sun always rises the next day.
Giving up and moving on are two different things.
Perfect relationships don’t exist.
You must love yourself too.
Don’t let others make decisions for you.
Resentment hurts you, not them.
Consciously nurture your inner hope.
It’s better to be hurt by the truth than comforted by a lie.
Not getting what you want can be a blessing.
Laughter is the best medicine for stress.
Worrying is literally a waste of energy.
Even when it’s hard to move, take small steps forward.
You are better off without some people you thought you needed.
You are only competing against yourself.
Life is not easy.
Your future is unwritten.
You are not trapped, you just need to relearn a few things.
Everything in life is two-sided.
You always have a choice.
Let others in when you’re in a dark place.
If you ask negative questions, you will get negative answers.
The end is a new beginning.
As Lockdown is a relatively new term in our vocabulary comments made on it come from our current time, but there are people who have come up with some classics, let’s have a look:
7. Ellen Burstyn is an American actress. Known for her portrayal of complicated women in dramas, Burstyn is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two Prime-time Emmy awards, and a Tony Award, one of the few performers to achieve the “Triple Crown of Acting”.
15. And we finish with a quote by the famous Ms. Unknown.
Spend your time wisely today and pause long enough to appreciate it. Every moment you get is a gift. Don’t waste time by dwelling on the past. Spend it on things that move you in the direction of your future.
Today’s playlist contains 4 gods and queens of Rock.We begin with Lou Reed and Pavarotti, a mighty combination. Then the first of two Covid parodies, Coronavirus Rhapsody. Joe Cocker is next then followed by our next duet John Denver and Cass Elliot. Plane Music flies away next. The penultimate tune is the second parody by Ariana Grande and we complete with Johnny Cash: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrt3Nm36QtzpKaeQy7e89nwm
With the world covered by lock-downs I sense that the world need my ethos: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included and my two Facebook groups that spread it around the world Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183421768519278 and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949, you are invited to join our merry band. Till next time, my dear friends.
We are raised on music, from our mothers singing nursery rhymes to us to the top twenty hits we full in love with at primary school to listening to our parents music they play during the day and night that keep styles existing across the ages. As the title say someday there won’t be one of these songs in our heart, but it requests we sing anyway.
Nobody gets through life without losing someone they love, someone they need, or something they thought was meant to be. But it is these losses that make us stronger and eventually move us toward future opportunities for growth and happiness.
Over the past decade, I’ve had my share of painful Losses, Losing both of my parents and several friends. When the time of mourning was over in each circumstance, I pressed forward with a greater understanding and respect for life. Here are some things to contemplate:
You are not what happened to you in the past.
Focus on what you have,, not on what you don’t.
Struggling with problems is a natural way of growing.
It’s Okay to fall apart for a little while.
Life is fragile, sudden, and shorter than it seems.
Emotionally separate yourself from your problems.
Don’t make a problem bigger than it is.
View each challenge as an educational assignment.
Things change, but the sun always rises the next day.
Giving up and moving on are two very different things.
Perfect relationships don’t exist.
You must love yourself too.
Don’t let others make decisions for you.
Resentment hurts you, not them.
Consciously nurture your inner hope.
It’s better to be hurt by the truth than comforted by a lie.
Not getting what you want can be a blessing.
Laughter is the best medicine for stress.
Worrying is literally a waste of energy.
Even when it’s hard to move, take small steps forward.
You are better off without some people you thought you needed.
You are only competing against yourself.
Life is not easy.
Your future is unwritten.
You are not trapped, you just need to relearn a few things.
Everything in life is two-sided.
You always have a choice.
Let others in when you are in a dark place.
If you ask negative questions, you will get negative answers.
The end is a new beginning.
So given the power of music, I wonder what has been said about it over the centuries, Let’s have a look:
1. Indigenous societies still use this thusand yeay old method that western society replaced by pills.
2. Santayana is popularly known for aphorisms, such as “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”, “Only the dead have seen the end of war”, and the definition of beauty as “pleasure objectified”. Although an atheist, he treasured the Spanish Catholic values, practices, and worldview in which he was raised. Santayana was a broad-ranging cultural critic spanning many disciplines:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0cBhdvXfJA
3. Music could be said to be like a car. It warms you up, gets you there and back, and chills down at the end of the day.
13. In 2007 neurologist Oliver Sacks released his book Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain in which he explores a range of psychological and physiological ailments and their intriguing connections to music.
15. And for our final quote Nelson Mandela sets us free to dream wit the power of music.
Whether our heart has a song it or not, I believe the quotes talk to the powerful remedies that music has to offer on a day to day basis.
The playlist today contains the first classical track I have used in over 750 blogs. We begin with Shaina Noll then stay around this time frame with John Legend. Ludwig Van Beethoven is next who is followed by two rocky numbers from different periods of time, Elvis Costello and the Foo Fighters. The penultimate track is from Ed Sheeran and we finish with Cyndi Lauper: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYruGUWns9UHcFOQwbJznIYaQ
There is a world of music out there and I believe is supports my world ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. To spread the ethos around the world like my readers from 160 countries I have created a Facebook Group, Interculturalism, here is the link for you to join our tribe: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Interulturalism.
Several years ago I fell in love with a social enterprise in my home city of Melbourne called Lentil as Anything, a chain of restaurants run on a pay as you feel philosophy. The title of this blog is part of their ethos. A question for you: do you walk around thinking my contribution is a gift to the community or more like thinking I don’t really make much of a contribution. What is it that shifts you from the latter to the former.
When life pushes you over, stand up and push back even harder. When there is a fork in the road, make the ones your future self with thank you for. Today, start:
1.Choosing you.
2. Appreciating what you have.
3. Believing in yourself and your dreams.
4. Being Positive.
5. Taking Action
6. Letting Go.
7. Picking Yourself Back Up.
8. Ignoring Negative People.
9. Staying in touch with close friends and family.
10. Making Time for Fun.
11. Spread Love and Kindness.
12. Being the Change you want to see in the World.
I can imagine this is a battle that has gone on between our consciousnesses for a very long time, Let’s have a look at what people of note have said about it over the years:
3. Reading his history Arthur Ashe, tennis player extraordinaire was a remarkable African Americanin a time at best they were called negro if not worse.
5. The first female high school principal in the U.S.A., Ethel founded AARP, an elder activist organization which with membership of 28 million making its magazine and bulletin the two largest readerships in the USA.
15 And the most famous POTUS with a very obtuse question to finish.
This collection of quotes shows that we have thought about contribution being a gift for a long time as a human race, I think we will for a long time in the future and perhaps even resolve the issue.
Today’s playlist goes all over the place, contributions of spoken word, the 80’s, the East and a very education video on black music. We begin with none of these, firstly is Gang Starr, then followed by Marianne Williamson. My unknown is next the Isha Foundation. My favourite Black Eyed Peas song leads us to Darryl Hall and John Oates. The penultimate song is Massive Attack and we finish with Music is Black History: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrtUz0w9taVPwST5DJcBuhWd
I believe my contribution that is a gift to the community is my ethos: Love and respect for All, Everybody Included and my two Facebook Groups: Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Interulturalism and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949 to allow anyone across the planet join our merry little clan. Until we neet again, my dear friends.
Laugh when you can. Cry when you need to. Focus on your priorities. Make decisions not excuses. And always stand up to your values. Today is the perfect day to stand up and say:
I am fighting hard for the things I want most.
I an taking action now.
I am focusing on the next positive step.
I am proud to wear my truth.
I have a lot to smile about.
I am making the best of it.
I am letting go of yesterday’s stress.
There is enough time today to do something I Love.
I am priceless in someone’s eyes.
It’s not too late.
If we allowed each and every person in our lives to do and feel the above we could say that there is a modicum of love towards them in our life. What do we as the human race say about love over the generations, let’s take a look:
13. Dubbed “The Love Doctor” by the San Francisco Chronicle, Daphne has been a workshop leader at the Esalen Institute, Big Sur, California for more than 18 years and has done her signature emotional healing work with individuals, groups and couples for more than three decades.
15. And for our final lesson we return to our childhood friend, Dr Seuss.
Focus on those who love you and accept you for what you are, and shower them with the love and kindness they deserve. And above all, cherish the people who saw you when you were invisible to everyone else.
Today’s playlist is all love songs, some you may like, others may belong in your if I hear that song one more time I will puke category. Whitney leads us off followed by the Isley Brothers. Then a group often mentioned as one hit wonders, A Ha. Minnie Riperton is one of my all time faves so she gets the next gig. The queen of Love Ballads follows, Celine Dion, then we move up to modern times for Sam Smith and we finish with Marvin Gaye: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrsA7HHbnAiR8WZWCzbntC-q
Do people really love each other, I hope so under all those news stories and racial differences. That’s why I have created my two Facebook groups to spread my ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included across the planet giving the people from the 164 countries who read y blog to join them. They are Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183421768519278 and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949. If you wish to become a member of the tribes that stand for this you can join either or both. Until we meet again my dear friends.
I have a handmade poster on the wall in my lounge room created by one of Melbourne’s most famous sculptors for a fundraiser held at Werner Erhard and Associates aka Landmark Education but you would not know the old name unless you were a veteran of the work. It has a title: Life is a mystery to be lived, Not a problem to be solved. I mistyped it as loved when I wrote the title of this blog and seeing there are no mistakes, or so they say it remains as that. Deborah was like that, she loved life and created the most quirky statues in our beloved city of Melbourne back in the 1980’s.
So what do you consider mysteries in your life, some fairly famous people made comment on it. Here are their contributions:
1. Well known author Dean Koontz whose novels are billed as suspense thrillers, but frequently incorporate elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and satireclaims our minds as hallways of mystery.
15. And we finish with a quote from the 18th century Russian novelist, philosopher, short story writer, essayist, and journalist, go out there and attain it.
This isn’t a perfect world. We’re probably on our one thousandth second chance right now and we are not ashamed to admit it. Because even though we have failed a lot, it means we have tried a lot too.
The only difference between an opportunity and an obstacle is attitude. Getting a second chance in life is about giving yourself the opportunity, the mystery to grow beyond your past failures. Here’s how:
Let go of the past.
Identify the lesson.
Lose the negative attitude.
Accept accountability for your current situation.
Focus on the things you can change.
Figure out what you really want.
Eliminate the nonessential.
Be specific.
Concentrate on doing instead of not doing.
Create a daily routine.
Maintain self-control and work on it for real.
Forget about impressing people.
Today’s playlist contains some famous artists as well, as well as one lengthy spoken word piece. We begin with Eminem, then my two unknowns, MKTO and Mike Perry. Then back to the seventies with David Bowie and George Harrison.The penultimate number is U2 and we complete with spoken words from Anias Nin: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYru-oyktakkeRTeHfW7mji_j
My major mystery in life is to work out what it would take to have the world ethos be Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. To spread this I have two Facebook groups, Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Interulturalism and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to humanity: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949. Any of you are welcome to join as you come from around the planet. Until we meet again, my dear friends.
I’ve gone back to getting my subjects for my blogs off my kitchen wall. The title for this one comes from my We build Tribes chart. The purpose is to build a purpose-driven community, I actually have two: They are Interculturalism: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Interulturalism and Thriving People – People who wish to make a difference to Humankind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1126100227764949. Both have the ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included at their core.
Each community has the following behind it:
10,000 people woke up this morning shedding private tears because they need a solution to their problem. You have that solution, go find them.
No other individual was placed upon this earth to do what you were uniquely born to do. Be you and the world will transform.
We live in an abundant world, allow that abundance to flow through you and you will never be without it.
Build a tribe that changes the very fabric of society, That is what you were born to do.
Whatever your goal, dream or desire is, It’s yours for the taking. Never accept you can’t.
Be consumed with a vision for tomorrow, go there in your own life and people will follow.
In a world of increasing isolation, be the campfire that attracts friends, laughter and authentic moments of transformation.
No-one ever got lucky, true success flows from consistency and persistency. Never, ever give up.
It’s going to be hard, It’s going to be tough. Remember, when you quit, No one wins.
Be their leader, be their servant, be their guide. But whatever you do. Make sure you “be”.
Don’t ever love others to the detriment of loving yourself. There is no one more important than you.
Rest, love, allow yourself to be loved. For as much as you feel the world rests on your shoulders, it doesn’t.
Support one another, cherish one another, inspire one another. We can make an even greater impact when we do so together.
Give someone a smile, give them money, give them a moment – when you have the capacity to do so… give.
With money comes influence, impact and opportunity – freedom comes when we cease fearing the pursuit of money & we embrace it.
So what has society said about communities – lets walk down that path:
I have had faith in intentional communities to transform out planet, it will take something but to me has always been possible.
Today’s playlist is truly eclectic. We begin with Martin Luther King’s most famous speech. Then one of my favourite pop divas, Taylor Swift. An Aussie legend follows, Lee Morgan. Then another of my favourite spoken word giants, Maya Angelou. Back to the 60s or 70s with Bread. Ava Max is the penultimate track, then we finish my favourite dance crew, The Desert Dwellers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJlQ3F9bKYrsTT_-LiPDrKqshrgpwBoPh
So I will complete with my ethos one more time: Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included. Until we meet afain my dear friends.
Jamie Catto is a creative facilitator, mischief maker and trailblazer cutting through the bullshit to clear the way for authentic connection and inner understanding.
I am an Interculturalist 