Be Curious, Not Judgemental.

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Rod's World

Someone asked me recently, “What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you.” It’s like they are asking do other peoples opinions decide what you do in life. Truth be told, nobody has the right to judge you. People may have heard your stories, but they can’t feel what you are going through, they aren’t living YOUR life. So forget what they say about you. Focus on how you feel about yourself, and do what you know in your heart is right.

My friend Marc Chernoff’s list gifts us ten things to do for ourselves even if others judge you for it:

1. Take care of yourself.

2. Do what you know is right, for YOU.

3. Follow your own unique path.

4. Lock yourself away from the world and work on your goals.

5. Adjust your goals and dreams as life changes.

6. Forgive those who have wronged you.

7. Show everyone your love and kindness.

8. Stand up for others, even if it’s the unpopular thing to do.

9. Fight through your failures.

10. Keep your head held high and keep on smiling.

As Jack London once said, “The proper function of man is to live, not to exist”. so why do we take notice of how people judge us, and what has society said about judgement over time:

1. How would the planet operate if we all did this?

2. Remember when you are pointing a finger there are three pointing back at you: Only God Can Judge Me.

3. Judgements are normally instant before you know anything about a person or situation. Show some kindness and ask what is happening for them.

4. Everybody’s life changes each chapter. Learn the full story before you make your decision.: It’s my Life.

5. Anne Inez McCaffrey was an American-born writer who emigrated to Ireland and was best known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. Early in McCaffrey’s 46-year career as a writer, she became the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction and the first to win a Nebula Award.

6. To each, their own: Judge Not.

7. As you are about to do it, remember how it felt last time it happened to you.

8. Each of us has our own deadly sins, mine are chocolate and icecream: Sinnerman.

9. Brene has something to say about it.

10. Very difficult to do I have found: Hallelujah.

11. There are 7 billion unique individuality types on the planet, remember that.

12. His Holiness rocks: One Love.

13. Mother Teresa was known for getting in people’s faces, she does not hold back here.

14. Two Bob Marley songs and this fantastic anti-judgement quote: Creep.

15. And for the final lesson, what would it take you to get to live your life from this premise?

Every new day is a chance to change your life. Work on making life all that you want it to be. Work hard for what you believe, and keep your dreams big and your worries small. You never need to carry more than you can hold; just take it one day at a time. And while you’re out there making decisions instead of excuses, learning new things, and getting closer and closer to your dreams, know that there are others out there, like me, who admire your efforts and are striving for greatness too.

There are some giants of the music scene on today’s playlist. Two songs by the same artist but both not done by him, one is a cover. Tupac leads off, Then to the world of rock and roll with Bon Jovi. Bob Marley’s first-ever single follows. Then, two giants, Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen, both recorded live. The penultimate number is a cover of Bob by Playing for Change and we complete with Radiohead: Be Curious, Not Judgemental.

I have found as I become less judgemental I come closer and closer to living my life ethos – Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. Until we meet again my dear friends.

Inhale the Future, Exhale the Past!!!

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Rod's World

I went to a fabulous Xmas house party last night, lots of interesting people and great dance music. Clare, who lives there is a workshop facilitator and performer and she took us through a process to welcome in the new year. Clare got everybody to gather in the loungeroom, there were quite a few of us:

And then she asked us to contemplate what was something we wished to achieve over the coming period and call them out into existence, they covered a new house to my inlaws making up and everything in between. I love my friend Marc Chernoff’s list he created some time ago to empower your near future:

Start spending time with the right people.
Start facing your problems head-on.
Start being honest with yourself about everything.
Start making your own happiness a priority.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly.
Start noticing and living in the present.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you.
Start being more polite to yourself.
Start enjoying the things you already have.
Start creating your own happiness.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons.
Start giving new people you meet a chance.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself.
Start cheering for other people’s victories.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations.
Start forgiving yourself and others.
Start helping those around you.
Start listening to your own inner voice.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments.
Start accepting things that are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every single day.
Start being more open about how you feel.
Start taking full accountability for your own life.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships.
Start concentrating on the things you can control.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now.

So what does society say about taking steps forward, here are a few of my favourite things:

1. Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, culminating in self-actualization.

2. Certainly has a positive ring to it – Grit anchored with Grace: When You Believe.

3. Remember to Ask, Often.

4. You must move forward to fail, being frozen by doubt achieves nothing: Who You Are.

5. Keep on keeping on.

6. Nicholas James Vujicic is an Australian Christian evangelist and motivational speaker born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by the absence of arms and legs. That gives him the right to say the above about stepping forward: One Step Up.

7. You don’t need to see the arrival point if you have faith.

8. A classic from a great Kiwi band: One Step Ahead.

9.The pathway to continuing to step forward in life.

10. Vincent Lingiari never did, he just took a small step forward at a time, and got his people’s land back: From Little Things, Big Things Grow.

11. Cause and Effect.

12. Place a foot in front of another and you will eventually get to the top: Stairway to Heaven.

13. Not always an easy choice, but one you must make for yourself.

14. Time passing is a given, never give up: Wake Me Up.

15. And for the final lesson, taking that step forward begins a new chapter.

You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in things you can control and act on them now.

Today’s playlist begins with a duet by Whitney and Mariah, then we move forward in time to Jessie J.The males then take over with Bruce Springsteen, Split Enz, Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, the penultimate track by Led Zeppelin and we finish with Avicii: Inhale The Future, Exhale The Past.

If there were more ceremonies held like the one Clare had us take part in I am sure that my dream of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included would manifest sooner than later. Until we meet again, my dear friends.

God Gave You a Gift of $6400 Seconds Today!!!

Posted on November 29, 2019 by Rod's World

I went to a Campfire Stories by the African Community of Darebin at the Preston Library last night. Inevitably someone asked the big R question, what about racism. Both panellists say, yes it did exist, but it was worthwhile putting up with as the gratitude they had for our country in basically saving their lives made it inconsequential. That’s what I have chosen to write about today, Gratitude.

My friends Debbie and Shanti set up a Facebook group a few years ago called Daily Gratitude Space, it has grown to close to 1,500 members. As the name suggests, it is a space where you can express what you are grateful for on a daily basis. You don’t have to do it every day, just when it supports you to do it. Join Us.

I have used it in moments of both despair and joy, but I know every time I do it I feel closer to my soul.

So what does our human race, with all of its foibles, have to say about gratitude? Here are a few of my favourite things:

1. “Zig” Ziglar was born in Coffee County in southeastern Alabama, to John Silas Ziglar and Lila Wescott Ziglar. He was the tenth of 12 children. He went on to become one of the world’s most prominent motivational speakers.

2. What acts of gratitude have you done today: Love Is Action.

3. A wonderful insight from one of my Sheroes, Alice Walker.

4. I have been guilty of this many a time, getting better at it: Kind and Generous.

5. Back to the 18th Century, when quotes did not include women for this fine practice.

6. This quote could be directly from God: Hero.

7. Aesop c. 620 – 564 BCE) was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop’s Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day. Many of the tales are characterized by animals and inanimate objects that speak, solve problems and generally have human characteristics.

8. I love the heart space: There is so Much Magnificence.

9. I love the name of the creator of this, Live purposefully now.

10. The first half marathon I ran in my long distant marathoning career was organised by the Shri Chinmoy organisation, they fully believe in health: I’ll Never Find Another You.

11. It’s the Black Friday Sale today, your job is to buy nothing, just appreciate what you already have.

12. Gratitude, the new vision board: High Hopes.

13. A quiet Joy, Yummy!!!

14. How else could you, really: I Want It All.

15. For our final lesson, the expression Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs came up, google it.

Gratitude versus judgement, choose!!!

Today’s playlist is tres positive, as you would expect. A new to me Tauren Wells leads off, Two fine songstresses follow in the form of Natalie Merchant and Mariah Carey. Deva and Miten deliver a lengthy version of one of their classics which will have you singing along by the end. The Australian section of the list is from The Seekers. Something more modern with Panic at the Disco before we finish with Queen, I recently read Freddie died 29 years ago, OMG: God Gave You a Gift of $6400 Seconds Today!!!

My ethos for the world of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included counts on more and more gratitude happening across the planet. Remember you can get the blog in your inbox by signing up on the right-hand side of the main page, until we meet again, my dear friends.

Don’t Wait Until You’ve Reached Your Goal!!!

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Rod's World

Celebrate, Celebrate Good Times: Great song, it will probably be on the playlist but is what it is saying true. I beg to differ, I think our purpose in life is to celebrate all times and that our ups and downs in life are our training ground to have this occur.

I have 5,000 Facebook friends, some I know better than others but I send all of them a Facebook Birthday card, somedays it is up to 30 people but this is one form of celebration I have taken on so I have not limited the time it takes me. I do have a standard male and female formulae and some of my close friends I do special ones for. I am surprised by how many people contact me personally and thank me. So as birthdays and deathdays are our main forms of celebrations what about the other days of the year?

I went to a friends birthday at the Abbotsford Convent yesterday, Dan is a beautiful man, there was his partner Theresa and our mutual friend Karina there. I met two of my 5,000 FB friends for the first time, Shanti and Roman, great people, all of who have interesting things to contribute to a celebration. Remember, as we mature it becomes less important to have a lot of friends and more important to have real ones.

So what do friends do differently to people who just walk past each other on the street:

1. They face problems together

2. They give what they can because they truly care.

3. They make time for each other.

4. They offer each other freedom.

5. They communicate effectively.

6. They accept each other as is.

7. They are genuine and accept genuineness.

8. They compromise.

9. They support each other’s growth changes.

10. They believe in each other.

11. They maintain realistic expectations of their relationship.

12. They honour each other in small ways on a regular basis.

13. They listen, and they hear every word.

14. They keep their promises.

15. They stick around.

What has life said about celebrating friendship and life in general, here are a few of my favourites:

1. Why do we not celebrate many moments between life and death?

2. Remember, you came here for a purpose, lets make it an inspiring one: Message In a Bottle.

3. Oprah would have something to say about this.

4. A great thing to celebrate: Celebrate Good Times.

5. Love and Gratitude are two other words that are part of the celebration recipe.

6. George Bernard Shaw, known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond: Laughter In The Rain.

7. The celebration is not always about happy, happy.

8. Choose to be alive: Born To Be Alive.

9. What happens to celebrations when the festival season is over.

10. Hathaway supports several charities and causes. She is a board member of the Lollipop Theatre Network, an organization that brings films to sick children in hospitals, and advocates gender equality as a UN Women goodwill ambassador. She is married to businessman Adam Shulman, with whom she has a son: Unconditionally.

11. Your Celebrate Life fridge magnets.

12. How would you live your life differently if the life expectancy age was 40: Africa.

13. The Greatest gift you can give to another.

14. More fridge magnets: Hallelujah.

15. And for our final lesson today, be all there.

Remember, life is kind of like a party. You invite a lot of people, some leave early, some stay all night, some laugh with you, some laugh at you, and some show up really late. But after the fun, there are a few who stay and help you clean up the mess. And most of the time, they aren’t even the ones who made the mess. These people are your real friends in life. They are the ones to celebrate life with.

How did Neil Sedaka, Kate Perry and KD Lang get on the same playlist? They all sing songs of celebration. We begin with The Police, followed by Kool and the Gang. Neil is next, then back to disco and Patrick Hernandez. Kate drags us back to the present. We finish with Toto and KD: Don’t Wait Until You’ve Reached Your Goal!!

So, I reckon if we all chose to celebrate life more, my ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included would occur sooner than later. Remember you can have these blogs sent to your inbox from the box on the right-hand side of the main page. Until we meet again my dear friends.

Stand Up Straight and Realise Who You Are!!!

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Rod's World

The title of this blog is part of a Maya Angelo quote, the final line is that you tower over your circumstances. Do you let adversities stop you in life? Here are some questions to make you think about it:

1. What stands between you and happiness.

2. Are you holding onto something you need to let go?

3. Decisions are being made right now. The question is, are you Making them yourself or are you letting others make them for you?

4. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?

5. What is the biggest challenge you face now?

6. If the average life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

7. What’s something that happened to you that made you stronger?

8. What is worth the pain?

9. Are you aware someone has it worse than you?

10. What’s missing in your life?

One of my adversities is my families pre-edification to suffer from gout. I have not had it for one and a half years and I was asked about it by my naturopath two days ago, and yesterday I woke up with it. Ouch, this lies in the do not push your luck arena.

So what does life say about adversity, here are a few quotes that express it rather well:

1. With her two most prominent roles challenging gender stereotypes and norms, The New York Times said Mary Tyler Moore’s “performances on [The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show] helped define a new vision of American womanhood.” The Guardian said “her outwardly bubbly personality and trademark broad, toothy smile disguised an inner fragility that appealed to an audience facing the new trials of modern-day existence.

2. Best known to the general public for his mass-energy equivalence formula E = Mc squared, which has been dubbed “the world’s most famous equation, from the misogynistic earlier part of the Twentieth century, I’m sure this relates to men and women: We R Who We R.

3. All butterflies have “complete metamorphosis.” To grow into an adult they go through 4 stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Each stage has a different goal – for instance, caterpillars need to eat a lot, and adults need to reproduce.

4. I suggest looking at the different styles of the last two POTUS’s to understand this quote: Don’t Give Up.

5. Barbara De Angelis is an American relationship consultant, lecturer and author, TV personality, relationship, personal growth adviser and spiritual teacher. Her infomercial “Making Love Work” won an award as Best Infomercial of 1994.

6. What can you do now you couldn’t last year? That’s called overcoming adversity: Look What You Made Me Do.

7. From the man who went through his and freed a country.

8. Simply for the Image: Sing For The Moment.

9. Turn around, overcoming adversity happens the other way.

10. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee: Black Superman.

11. One of the ways to overcome adversity quickly is to learn the art of acceptance.

12. Marty Rubin, a South Florida gay activist, author and journalist, Mr. Rubin died after a struggle with AIDS. He was 64: Live It Up.

13. Six powerful words.

14. I love the zen of Japanese philosophy: Walking on the Moon.

15. For your final lesson, remember flowers grow between cracks in the footpath.

So, a few words on adversity to finish; You never know how really strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

Today’s playlist contains some Sesame Street, a daggy song, an Aussie classic and two pop divas, surprise, surprise. We begin with Kesha, then Bruno Mars. Pop diva Taylor Swift follows, Eminem raps a tune out next. The ode to the Black Superman by Johny Wakelin brings the seriousness down a bit. Back to Australia for Mental as Anything and we complete with British supergroup The Police: Stand Up Straight and Realise Who You Are!!!

So when adversity arises in my life, I return to my ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included and get back on track. P.S. I found some joint cream I brought several years ago, It works. Until we meet again my dear friends.

The Heart wants What It Wants!!!

Posted on November 4, 2019 by Rod's World

Another thing I have got out of Awakening Connections is the ability to feel the love being directed at me. I was at Mojo – The Dance of Connection on Saturday night for my crewing role as chai maker extraordinaire, and it felt different. There were people, particularly women who have been coming for ages who kept hugging me and kissing me at the end of a dance, some I even kissed back. I have taken on a practice to allow this love in, reciting some mantras from my friends Marc and Angel Chernoff through a practice we call Dragonspeak in the Warriors of Love, my go-to 12-month training program to empower the lifeforce that runs through each of us: Some WOL info.

The mantras are as follows, they help me love people, not judge them or ignore them:

1. The most beautiful thing is to see a person nearby smiling. And even more beautiful is knowing you are the reason behind it.

2. If I have the power to make someone happier today, do it. The world needs more of that.

3. Some people build lots of walls in their lives and . not enough bridges. There’s no good reason to be one of them. Open me up. Take small chances on people.

4. Never stop doing little things for those around me. Sometimes these little things occupy the biggest parts of their hearts.

5. Too often I underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of love – all of which have the potential to turn a life around.

6. Be present, Be thoughtful. Compliment people. Magnify their strengths, not their weaknesses. This is how to make a real and lasting difference in my relationships, new and old.

7. I don’t always need to give advice. Sometimes all people need is a hand to hold, an ear to listen, and a heart to understand.

8. Today, just be 100 per cent present with those around me – be all there. That is enough.

9. There’s no such thing as “self-made”. Someone else believed in me. Someone also encouraged me. Someone else invested in me. Someone else prayed for you. Someone else spoke life over me. I will be that someone for others too.

10. It’s practically impossible to love my neighbours if I don’t know them, and yet that’s oftentimes the case. I live in such a hyper-connected world with such limited or nonexistent connection. Remember this: Relationships matter. Stories matter.

11. In human relationships, distance is not measured in kilometres but in affection. Two people can be right next to each other yet miles apart.

12. Stay in touch with those who truly matter to me – not because it’s inconvenient, but because they’re worth the extra effort.

13. The single greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. Too often we don’t listen to understand, we listen to reply. Bring awareness to this. And listen for what’s truly behind the words.

14. Set an example. Treat everyone with respect, even those who are rude to you – not because they are always nice, but because I am ( And do my best to be thankful for the rude and difficult people too, they serve as great reminders of how not to be.)

15. Sometimes it is better to be kind than right.

16. People are much nicer when they are happier, which says a lot about those who aren’t very nice to you. Sad, but true.

17. The real test comes when I don’t get what I expect from people. Will I react in anger? Or will calmness be my superpower?

18. The way I trust people I don’t understand is a report card on what I’ve learnt about love, compassion, and kindness.

19. Be kinder than necessary. What goes around comes around. No one has ever made themselves strong by showing how small someone else is.

20. The best relationships are not just about the good times I share, They are about the obstacles we got through together and the fact that I still say “I Love You” in the end.

So how does the world talk about love, here are a few of my favourite things:

1. A required part of the recipe of life.

2. Not always loved by her critics, great people always seem to have them, the people of the slums idolised her: Is This Love.

3. Simply, Boom!!!

4. From the world’s best-known philosopher, Ms Unknown comes some worldly advice about the importance of self-love: Lose Yourself.

5. These are the people who showed up when your soul said to you, find the others.

6. One of the founders of the Black Panther movement who after exile returned to the States to become a conservative Republican and Christian, Eldridge travelled an extreme journey to discover love in his life: Blowing In The Wind.

7. Don’t look in your logical mind for love, it’s your like zone.

8. The area of life that blows away Simon Senik’s statement you have to know your why: To Love Somebody.

9. It’s in both your DNA’s.

10. And she: Born To Be Yours.

11. Sage advice from the writer of many a great love song over her long career.

12. Working on both these areas in my life: The Climb.

13. Remember to keep an eye out for this.

14. Yep to this: A Song For You.

15. For our final lesson, a short sermon on how to let love in.

So lets address loving those offensive people we find so hard to love. Marc has a trick: Mentally hug them and wish them better days. We can have compassion for this broken person because we all have been broken and in some pain at some point too. We’re the same in many ways. Sometimes we need a hug, some extra compassion, and a little unexpected love.

Our playlist today begins with Bob Marley, the king of Love in my humble opinion. The rapping out with Eminem. Some folk from Peter, Paul and Mary follows. From the same era comes The Bee Gees. We come forward to Kygo and the imagine Dragons and Miley Cyrus and complete with the soulful tones of Donny Hathaway: The Heart Wants What It Wants,

Letting love in and expressing it outwardly will certainly support my life’s ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included. Remember you can sign up to receive these blogs in your inbox on the right-hand side of my main page. Until we meet again, my dear friends.

You, Will, Find It Is Necessary To Let Go!!!

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Rod's World

You find that some days you have to do things that mean you have to let go of your intentions and do things that don’t fit on your to-do list. How many times do you do this, I had to do one this morning, I was meant to teach English but I had a severe cold so not wanting to make my students suffer a cold as well, I called them and cancelled the classes. I really enjoy teaching Bing and Julie but realised that infecting a father and a mother was not something I should do.

I’m going to send them emails with classes they can do during the week. So how do we do things that are not fitting in our daily necessities? How has society learnt to let go of the things that don’t fit in the necessary to-do lists?

1. Crying is one thing that doesn’t come up a lot, but as Jennifer says its one of the best things you can do.

2. It’s the impossible dream: The Impossible Dream.

3. Letting go of you, that is who you are forgiving.

4. Letting go of things that are no longer good for you: Let It Go.

5. The past is where they belong, your problems that is!!

6. Have you found yourself recently?: Love Myself.

7. Do you question why it didn’t work out, Winna suggests you do.

8. It Is Us, Not hummus, So Right: This Is Me.

9. Not everybody can unfurl their fingers.

10. Buddha was a wise, wise man: Just The Way You Are.

11. I just liked this photo.

12. As an empath, you get to hold all the emotions: Emotions.

13. Remembering that word, Fear!!

14. I met my inner child last week, twice: Sweet Dreams

15. There are times I cannot let the memories go.

So letting go covered many different ways of relating to it. Today’s playlist goes back to the 1970s with the King, Elvis. Then we move onto the musical, Frozen. We visit a pop diva, Hailee Steinfeld next. More musical tunes from the Greatest Showman cast. Bruno Mars follows. The penultimate number is the famous Mariah Carey and we finish with the Eurythmics: You Will Find It Necessary To Let It Go.

So we read my ethos as our final lesson for the day: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. That’s what I hold as the final statement for the day. Until we meet again, my dear friends.

A Strong Soul Shines After Every Storm!!

Posted on July 15, 2019 by Rod's World

I enjoyed the shamanic power of Kailash Kokopelli twice over the weekend. Kailash has been running Sound Healings and Cacao ceremonies around the world since the 1990s. The Link to Kalaish’s World. the first event was a short healing at an Ecstatic Dance experience and the second one at this joyous event called The Alchemy of Joy which was a full-blown experience. The event was organised by a true lover of community spirit named Ivanna. I arrived with my pillow and lay down on the ground and was instantly offered a yoga mat so I didn’t get cold from the floor and the cherubic soul who offered it to me said to make sure I did not miss out on the free springwater, chai and soup.

Kailash offered us all his knowledge and experience about cacao ceremonies and how important it is to bless all the directions before consuming it. We then sang heart songs for about an hour to open our heart for the Sound Healing, they were beautiful and definitely opened my heartspace prior to the main ceremony.

I am a known snorer and have been woken up many a time for the said crime of disturbing others during Sound Healings, Kailash set up the intention so powerfully that there was no way I felt like entering the snoring state but went on a profound journey with my soul.

This has made me ask how does humanity relate to the soul across our different cultures, here are some of the ways:

1. I love Mandi’s about details on her webpage:

HI.

I’m Mandi.

I used to be a U.S. Naval Officer. Now I am a hippy artist and body positive activist living in New Zealand.

This website is where I house my personal work. The work that bubbles up from the muse and me kind of just have to make it. I make it for myself. and as a way of looking deeper at something that has caught my eye or tripped up my imagination. I make it for the people of the world as a way of begging us to see past the superficial and to get down to the real meaty raw good stuff of our soul.

2. How does one turn off that ever-consistent chatterbox: The Instrument to Heal Is The Soul.

3. The beautiful sounds of the dual didgeridoos, the oldest wind instrument in the world sent healing vibes throughout the hall.

4. Sha has an M.D. and a degree in traditional Chinese medicine. He is also a grandmaster of Tai Chi, was the lead acupuncturist for the World Health Organization, has been named Qigong Master of the Year and in 2006 was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Commission Award for his humanitarian efforts. He teaches his patients that chanting mantras in Mandarin Chinese can heal their ailments. He has also claimed to be able to replace organs using a technique he describes as a “soul software download”, and practices what he refers to as “soul healings”.

Sha’s practices have been deemed controversial in the west and their effectiveness has been called into question. An ophthalmologist who examined patients treated by Sha reported that none of their conditions was helped by his methods. He claims to treat cancer with “downloads”. A clear case of Eastern versus Western spiritual philosophies: The Voice Within.

5. From Little Things/Steps, big things grow.

6. On your tippy toes: Beautiful.

7. And what would a discussion of healing the soul be without some Rumi?

8. Each time I leave my city limits I am reminded of the power of nature: Colour of The Wind.

9. Forgiveness is the ultimate form of healing and release.

10. Socrates was a classical Greek (Athenian) philosopher credited as one of the founders of Western philosophy, and as being the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought. An enigmatic figure, he made no writings and is known chiefly through the accounts of classical writers writing after his lifetime: The Philosophy of Socrates.

11. Indigenous wisdom is barely understood these days.

12. All beautiful side effects: I’ve Got the Music In Me.

13. Don’t forget that the inner work is the important type required.

14. It seems that being your true self is magical and stuff these days: You Can Do Magic.

15. And a final message from your soul after it has been healed.

So keep listening and singing those heart songs, your soul is listening.

The playlist today has two spoken word pieces, the first is from Carolyn Myss, the next two tunes are from Christine Aguilera, then some indigenous wisdom from Pocahontas. Socrates is next. Kiki dee does the penultimate tune and we finish with America: A Strong Soul Shines After Every Storm

I think the more we have of these events across the planet the sooner the ethos of Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included will be able to rise. Until next we meet. my dear friends:

Incredible Things Can Be Done Simply!!

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Rod's World

Had a busy solstice weekend, crewed on Dancing Freedom Friday night, then Winter Solstice Chanting Meditation on Saturday but have chosen to reflect on the event I attended on Sunday that my friends Robbie, Maz and Paul ran called Own Your Desires. Here is the blurb for it:

Do you ever feel attracted to someone but fear rejection? Is it challenging approaching people you are attracted to? Do you struggle to ask for what you really want? We have all had these experiences….as human beings, we have hopes, needs, dreams and desires. This is a journey in exploring and resolving these situations in a safe, experiential space. This is an opportunity to dive deeper into these thoughts and emotions. A chance to unravel old habits and ways of being. There will be exercises and practices for you to discover and develop communications skills, a reframing of limiting beliefs and empowering you to own your desires.

What will this experiential journey give you?
-Freeing yourself from false expectations and imagination.
-Freedom and power to approach people and own your desires.
-Building courage and learning how to express how you truly feel.
-Developing self-awareness and harnessing your truth.
-Empowering yourself to express your affection for another.
-The opportunity to share your true self with another.

At 64 I was the elder of the group which had quite an age spread, the exercises were short and sharp experiences in asking for what you desired with time building up in each experience. There were also sessions were people could share their experiences. Confidentiality does not allow me to share anyone’s but my own.

I noticed I had judgements on what each person would be willing to do and was often surprised when this did not turn out to be the result of the request. Out, damn judgements.

Given this, how has society related to desires over the centuries, here are a few takes at it:

Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore was an 18th Century English poet and critic best known for The Angel in the House, his narrative poem about the Victorian ideal of a happy marriage. I think desires in the 21st Century may be a little different.

2. One distinction was to align your mind, your heart and your sex, all essential areas of your soul, methinks: Everybody Dance.

3. Desire versus Love, an eternal conversation!!!

4. Breath was an important part of the process, Dan Brule is a breathwork master who makes the following statement: Our Breathing is the only system in the body that is both completely automatic and also under our control. That is not an accident of nature, not a coincidence. That is an opportunity, an invitation, to take part in our own nature – our own evolution: Breathin

5. The long and windy road of placing your dreams and desires in the hands of others.

6. It looks like a scene from Marry Poppins so, that word: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

7. How often do we leave our desires out so that our lives appear organized without ripples on the water?

8. Do you purposefully bring your desires to life on a daily basis, you belong with these people if you do: Love Shack.

9. As I found out I probably fit in the latter group when it comes to my desires.

10. Grateful for both the Yes’s and the No’s, need to work on the latter: Kind and Generous.

11. A bucket is just another word, as are To-do lists, both can prevent you from actually living in the moment.

12. From the man who gave us the bliss distinction, here is another classic that points to why we may not be fulfilling all our desires: Staying Alive.

13. It’s in the tax area our desires live.

14. As Tantra came from India I had to include one image of a wise Indian guru or it would just not seem right: Slave To The Rhythm.

15. And Oprah points out in our final lesson, that desires should excite you at first as it is that, that will keep you focussed.

I feel sated after the experience and acknowledge that Robbie, Maz and Paul delivered full value with love and compassion, they worked well as a facilitation team, I will be back.

Today’s playlist contains some musical royalty: We begin with funksters Chic, then shoot forward to pop diva, Ariana Grande. Then that word and song from Mary Poppins followed by a jump around track by the B-52’s. The superb voice of Natalie Merchant is next, then pop royalty The Bee Gees. We finish with the always sultry Grace Jones: Incredible Things Can Be Done Simply!!

My major desire is that the world lives from this paradigm: Love and Respect for All, Everybody Included. Until next time we meet, my dear friends.

We Are Gonna Shine Like Gold In This Mad, Mad World.

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Rod's World

Does anybody out there have any clue what the Earthsong is? As I previously reported on returning to Confest, Australia’s major hippie like festival after 30 years I was blessed with a ceremony by an indigenous elder. I was walking past the Sacred ground when he chased me down and said, “I’m glad I ran into you again this lifetime.” he them performed a ceremony, tapping my face and blowing smoke from gum leaves over me all the time chanting in the native language of the area. At the end he said to me, “Listen to the Forest.” Since that moment I have felt the energy of the earth enter me as I walk or lie on it, a morning practice I have taken up.

On the way back from Confest, I stayed overnight at my friends property, Cycles of the Pass and watched the Land wake up from her balcony. It was an inspiring experience and I could feel the spiritual power of the hill several kilometres away.

I am also a chai maker fro two conscious dances, Mojo and Dancing Freedom and possibly the crew lying on the floor for the entire dance journey may seem a tad strange to the participants.

So is there much said about the Earthsong out on the airwaves? Let’s have a look:

1. There are quite a few MJ Earthsong quotes because it seems he wrote a very popular song on the subject.

2. And then we have Maya’s take on it: And Still I Rise.

3. MJ went Boom in his song on the subject.

4. Time for the song: Earthsong.

5. This is for when we get back it touch with the Earth’s Magick.

6. Can’t quite make out the authors name, but the quote is beautiful: Let There Be Peace On Earth.

7. So reminds me of the famous quote by Arudhati Roy – Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing, blissful.

8. Xavier Rudd’s music reminds me of the Earthsong: Follow The Sun.

9. Join the Change makers, It’s your time.

10. Nothing to have to remember if you are always speaking your truth: The Weight.

11. MJ was certainly a Path-maker, shame about the end really.

12. The Earth speaking to the human race: Come Back Again.

13. And, over to you, Begin It Now.

14. Is the Earth saying it to us, and we simply cannot hear: My Brilliant Image.

15. And for our final lesson today I gift you the words of Belinda Carlisle’s magical song.

So there are many people out there who are working on humanity hearing the Earthsong again. It is an honour to join you.

The playlist is very masculine today, In fact the only women begins it, but who could outshine Maya Angelou, one of our two spoken word offerings for the day. Then the song from Michael jackson. A bit of country follows from Vince Gill, the first of two Aussie artists, Xavier Rudd and then 70’s icons The Band and Daddy Cool. Spoken word completes it with some magic from Hafiz: We Are Gonna Shine Like Gold in This Mad, Mad World.

I think for humanity to hear the Earthsong again the sooner we take up Love and Respect for All, Everyone Included as the world paradigm, the better.

Deep Love until we meet again, my dear friends.