Dawn and Friendship

I just read an excellent blog on the advantages to waking up early. I myself am an early riser. I think there is nothing so peaceful as watching a quiet sunrise, preferably while running at dawn. It is a serene solitude of thanksgiving and a chance to pray and reflect upon my blessings. I feel alive and energized with the rising sun. I accomplish more tasks and conquer them with more pleasure in the early hours, and this rush of adrenaline, inspiration and happiness is remarkable.

We are all fueled by some sort of emotional bliss associated with time and place. Sometimes this enlightened state comes from solitude, prayer and reflection (like my early morning runs) and sometimes it comes with partnerships and friendships. I had a wonderful weekend with girlfriends as we escaped for an athletic adventure while networking and forming friendships over a shared interest. It is important to nurture friendships, stretch yourself in conversation and activity, learn, plan and laugh. You must live life fully and help others to do so. Congratulate each other on achievements, improvements and efforts. You should appreciate the fluidity of life, the style of a unique individual and the sensory rush of visiting someplace new.

Gwyneth Paltrow writes a wonderful blog and elicits the opinion of guest professionals and writers. Her latest "BE" newsletter is on sustaining happy and successful relationships. It is an excellent collection of essays that will touch and inspire you.

http://www.goop.com/newsletter/43/

So that, then, must be the key to happiness! Cultivating friendships and devouring your day (right from the very start). How much more could I accomplish if I have the support of loyal companions, family and comrades alike? How much more love and thanks could I give if I start at the dawn of each day? Fulfillment is there for the taking, if only you seek it out and nourish it with well-tended friendships.

Now, early to bed! Say your prayers. And tell someone you love them. It shall all be repaid.

The Power of Touch

There are many paths to healing, and I believe that we are empowered to heal ourselves (whether that is through traditional medical advice/treatment, prayer/spirituality, self-understanding and enlightenment, changes to diet/exercise/lifestyle, Eastern medicine or other modalities). I believe that one of the most powerful healing remedies is through touch and human contact. Simple touches, like a pat on the back, the casual hug or a quick kiss on the cheek often are used as small signs of affection and congratulations, or sorrow and understanding. A caring touch can translate a world of emotions. The embrace of a lover, holding a baby or petting a dog can all transform our feelings into a quiet and soothing happiness.

Service animals, particularly dogs, are used in hospitals and nursing homes to comfort and entertain people. When asked to pose for a picture, friends gather together in a group hug without prompting. Many people articulate their conversations with a touch on the arm. And we are taught to shake hands with new acquaintances to show respect and welcoming. Massage is therapeutic. The shampoo and scalp massage is the best part of a haircut. You hold hands with loved ones. The greatest compliment is to have touched someone's heart and soul.

The opposite is also dangerously true. You cross your arms when you're mad. Solitary confinement is used as a punishment. You back away with fear. Loneliness is debilitating. Many studies point to the difficulties of children raised without affection.

We know then, that we are a social world. Animals travel in packs. People gather in communities. We identify with our chosen friends and families. Business is about networking. Experiences are to be shared.

What then is our obligation in making the world a better place... our community a better place... our household a better place? A great gift would be to share and touch and give of yourself that moment of emotion or compassion that you haven't given often enough. You have a power to heal yourself and can change someone's life. Look someone in the eye and give them a moment of your time. Touch them on the arm. It will touch them in their heart.

A Wider View

See what you're NOT looking at.

It's usually the case that one person sees a situation one way and another person sees it differently.

Oftentimes we turn a blind eye to things that are uncomfortable or that we can't understand. It's OK not to know the answers. It's OK to stray out of our comfort zone. Sometimes we forget that we weren't meant to be in control. Otherwise how would we ever learn to deal with adversity, loss, disruption, death, and setback? There is no growth if we don't realize that we're not at the top. In fact, loss is a gift, difficult as it may be. It teaches us about strength and whom to trust or love. Hardship teaches us to pay attention to our world, prioritize our needs and know compassion for the people in our world. We can't open our eyes wider if we don't know that they are shut.

Empathy can be the bridge that connects us with others. It breeds mercy and kindness. It gives us courage to stand up and help our fellow man, teach children or save animals, and basically treat the world around us with respect.

This is a beautiful weather system that I had to circumnavigate. The sky was a glamorous shade of blue and the clouds were shades of silver and white that can't be described boldly enough. It was breathtaking. The radar picture was a patchy echo of green and yellow specks. The air was rough and the airways were turbulent. From the ground, people saw rain and darkness. A cool relief or an impediment to summer's fun? Beautiful to some, frightening to others, natural of course, but casual to many. All viewpoints are valid, but do you see them all?

Peace and reflection be yours.

Taking the First Step

It's always difficult to be the one to stand up and do what's right. Situational challenges and current culture often cause hesitation when daring to challenge the status-quo. This is true whether you are an individual, an organization or a country.

I do not normally enjoy the news 'opinion' pages. I feel like they are meant to incite angst rather than educate or inform. However, this story from the New York Times is an exemplary article. Bono is an inspirational character who shares his emotional and intellectual talents with the world. He is a GoodGlobalCitizen.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/opinion/10bono.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

Heartfelt thanks should be given to those who spend their days charitably working for the good of others, whether in this country or abroad, whether at home or across town. Selfless acts of charity and time are the hallmark of a GoodGlobalCitizen. Do what you can for your charity of choice. Do not call attention to yourself- act quietly, do the dirty work, be brave. Do call attention to the cause- post it to your website/social medium, ask your friends for help, be brave.

Remember now, in your heart, someone who gave charitably. Give thanks. Pass it on. All it takes is one step, and sometimes you have to be the first to stand up for what's right.

Citizenship

What does it take to be a good global citizen? First you must realize that it is but by grace of birth that you are who you are. This wisdom was shared with me when i was very young. You could be anyone anywhere at any time. But God chose your spirit to reside in your body and you have been called for a higher purpose. You are important! You have something valuable to share with this world - and the first step towards that is to open your eyes very wide and observe...open your ears and listen...open your heart and mind and learn. Only then can you participate in full citizenship.

Citizenship is more than a geographical identification. One must also contribute to his/her society based on his/her talents. Citizens are vested with rights and are members of the society. In any other organization in which you are a vested member, you would have to pay dues, provide leadership or service, or contribute to the organization in some manner. What is it that you are contributing to your country of allegiance?

For example, look at your talents. I cannot build a skyscraper, perform medicine, or create the doctrines and develop the sciences that make our world run. But I have a deep appreciation for those who do these things, and I recognize the talents I have that contribute to my society.

Fortunately there are a multitude of talented people in this world. Unfortunately we are divided by geographic and political boundaries. The plight of the immigrant is often necessary and difficult. Some relocate due to familial needs, some for work/health/labor opportunities, and some for oppression avoidance. Does immigration make our country richer or our social, political and economic situation difficult? Yes. There are many sides to the discussion. The bottom line is the human connection we have with each other in this society. Through the research of these arduous subjects we can reflect on our own family situations, political viewpoint and community involvement. Are you learning about this world with each current event you encounter in the news? I hope so.

So in this forum we will discuss various topics of worldly events, people, happenings and reasonings. I have much to learn, and I have many questions. Journey with me.

The Spider Web Networking Effect

What I like about this simple picture is how much information it contains that may be overlooked by the casual observer. You can see in this photo a little about my family life (I'm married). You can see that my hands are muscular and slightly calloused and therefore I have a job requiring manual dexterity. You can see the carpet in the background and guess where this picture was taken. And if you are so inclined, you can read the lines on my hand and know something more metaphysical about me.

Perhaps you identify with one of those things. If so, then we have a connection--and something immediate to talk about. It's important to take a closer look at the familiar things (and people) around us. We should be conscientious of the people around us and recognize the connections that we have with one another. There is usually something with which to conjoin immediately- an identity that both people share.

There is an amazing revolution taking place around us. The bounty of social networking opportunities is exploding. Type "Social Networking Websites" into Google and revel in the number of ways you have to connect with friends, colleagues and wanderers with whom you share a common interest. Online media has given way to print and visual/audio media in providing us with a wealth of connectivity, but none of these would be possible without the human element.

I believe it is our responsibility to help each other grow. We were created as a world of many; we cannot live or flourish on our own. Let us reach out to each other and share the knowledge and friendship that will enhance our lives. Use the social networking revolution to bolster mankind!

Get the name of the next person you meet. Observe that person closely for a minute. You surely know 2 people who would be interested to know that person / can offer that person some advice / already know that person and want to reconnect / are interested in the same things that person is interested in. Share this information. Pass on the link. Create a smaller world by connecting just 2 people to your new acquaintance. Imagine what would happen if you did this with 5 people. And those 5 people connected 5 other people.

This is what I call the SPIDER WEB NETWORKING EFFECT. It can be accomplished through any media, at any time, and with any person. Like the lines on my palm are connected and mean a great deal more than my physical characteristics, the Spider Web Networking Effect is more than just intersecting lines and loose connections. This is the evolution of social media and human relations. When we help connect each other, we've made someone's world bigger and our global community stronger.