by Ginger | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog
Many Lightworkers hold a vision for achieving Oneness, but have you ever asked what that really looks and feels like? Recently, I’ve been involved in group projects in several areas of my life, each requiring all participants to come into consensus before we move forward to the next step. Working on these group projects has really just been practice for coming into Oneness! I’ve enjoyed the camaraderie and community spirit of collaboration, but I have also struggled with differences of opinion on how to work together to accomplish a project. How do you move forward when you don’t agree?
During this process, I’ve realized that one of my greatest fears about coming together in Oneness is that we’ll all end up being the same; that in order to work in unity, we’ll have to meld together into a bland, cohesive blob without creativity or originality. And yet, the ocean of Oneness is not a lifeless blob at all. Each drop in the ocean is indistinguishable from the others when merged as one body, and yet they are expressing very differently. Drops at the bottom of the ocean express themselves as slow motion in the cold and dark, while drops near the top are often dancing around in a frenzy of activity. They all carry the same properties of the ocean, while manifesting those properties in unique ways.
So, the question of how to be “we” and also be “me” is best answered by looking within to the “why.” If you ask a group of people the best way to get to the top of a mountain, one person might say Route A since it’s the most scenic, while another might suggest Route B as the most direct, and a third might prefer Route C because it’s the safest. When we are working toward the same goal, such as reaching the top of the mountain, we can see that how we get there is really a matter of stylistic difference. Attachments to how we do it fall away when we focus on why we do it. Because in the end, the “why” is what really matters.
True consensus is about following a common inner vision. That common goal still allows for creativity in how to express the vision on the outer. In 2015, Android ran a fun television ad campaign that illustrates this concept. One ad shows unusual pairings of animals who have become close buddies- such as a dog and an orangutan hanging out together. Another ad shows people of very different backgrounds giving each other versions of a “high-5.” They are all celebrating their originality while honoring their commonality. When we work together in Divine Consensus, we can work in harmony and cooperation while still being unique. As the tag line for the ad campaign says, “be together. not the same.”
This blog is re-posted from 2015 but still has some wonderful wisdom which I was guided to revisit this month.
Image courtesy of truthseeker08 on Pixabay These links open directly to a new window.
by Lori | Oct 31, 2022 | Blog
Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. What a great title. Everything Everywhere, All at Once is a 2022 absurdist comedy-drama movie. The plot centers on a Chinese American immigrant, Evelyn, her family and their laundromat. While being audited by the IRS, Evelyn realizes that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from causing the destruction of the multiverse. The characters connect with the other aspects of themselves through intention and, to support the claim that the film is absurd, with a very bizarre action, like eating a tube of lipstick.
The movie has many metaphysical themes that you might find interesting and even help you to explore more about the multiverse. If you read the book Pull Your Self Together by Rebecca Whitecotton – see my blog entry from July 2021 Pull Your Self Together – Standing in the Light (iamstandinginthelight.com) – this movie may be another push to look at merging all your alternate realities. This movie might even encourage you to contemplate universes or past lives where you weren’t human. Again, great entertaining seed planting from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who wrote and directed the movie.
At many points in the film, I kept thinking, what were the writers smoking when they wrote this screen play. When I mentioned that to a friend, she came back with the perfect rejoinder, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.”
Thanks to Gunter with Pixabay.com for the image.
by Ginger | Sep 28, 2022 | Blog
Feeling low energy, lately? Wishing for naps or lay-about weekends? There could be any number of reasons, and if it’s just that you need some rest, then you should honor that and do so. But if you’ve been getting enough sleep and taking care of yourself in general, you might ask whether you have some stuck creative energy which is weighing you down.
Recently, I’ve been feeling more energized throughout the day and especially enthusiastic about greeting the day’s tasks. I started to wonder, “Where is all this energy coming from?” I didn’t have any pivotal events in my life recently nor am I conscious of any major breakthroughs that would explain feeling more buoyed up. But I have been feeling more at ease and in the flow, willing to follow where my energy takes me. Then, it hit me: this is creative energy I’m feeling! My subtle shift into a greater willingness to go-with-the-flow has allowed a release of previously blocked or stifled creative energy.
It wasn’t that I cleared a big block or made a huge change. I simply made enough subtle shifts toward greater openness and allowing the unknown that energy I wasn’t letting myself fully express started flowing out into various nooks and crannies of my life. I didn’t suddenly start a massive art project or begin a years-long study of a new language. I simply reached a tipping point which allowed energy I’d been holding back to flow forward and seep into unexpected areas of my life. On the outside, it doesn’t look like much has changed. On the inner, it feels so much more fluid, engaging, imaginative, uplifting and, at the same time, soothing and full of ease.
My day is flowing more freely and spontaneously. I feel more connected with my environment. I’m more willing to try things a different way or look at situations from a new perspective. I’m much more present and in the moment.
All of this is actually creative energy! Let go of the idea that your creativity has to channel into a physical, definable project with an end goal. Creativity is for every moment, even the smallest or most routine. It wants to flow. We need it to flow for our health, well-being and spiritual evolution. Don’t store it up to spend on some big, planned project or special event in the future. Let it flow now, right now, in any form it chooses. Creative flow absolutely attracts more creative energy in an infinite, self-expanding loop. As we give of our energy, so shall we receive. This is universal law. So, let it flow!
Image by Antonio López from Pixabay
by Lori | Sep 7, 2022 | Blog
Baseball: America’s pastime. Or is it – Baseball: Past time, America?
According to the Los Angeles Times, “Major League Baseball has seen its attendance and television ratings steadily drop amid concerns about sluggish play. Changes, including a pitch clock and automated strike zone, could be on the way.”
Enter The Savannah Bananas, a college summer team, encouraging splits instead of slides and caring for the fan “a-peel” more than the score. The Bananas Team is the brainchild of owner, Jesse Cole.
Again, from the Los Angeles Times:
Jesse Cole serves as ringmaster, darting around in a yellow tuxedo and top hat, leading sing-alongs — Woah, livin’ on a prayer — and judging toddler races between innings. Lanky and frenetic, Cole is equal parts P.T. Barnum and Walt Disney, with a bit of “Saturday Night Live.”
“We’ve always been very clear about our goal,” he says. “We exist to make baseball fun.”
His team looks like another Harlem Globetrotters at first glance, but the competition is genuine and there is something potentially important at work.
The Bananas are a step ahead, packing ballparks throughout the South and Midwest, transforming themselves into a national brand with highlights on ESPN and 2.5 million TikTok followers. MLB executives say they are watching for any ideas that might make their game more “fan-friendly.”
The team dresses in bright yellow. Fans can buy banana costumes to wear during the game. Some baseball rules have been changed, like if a fan catches a foul ball, the player is out. Base coaches dance. One pitcher throws the ball while wearing stilts and another twerks before throwing a strike. Everyone is having fun. Even the opposing teams start to ripen to the idea, getting into the scripted parts of the team introductions before settling down to playing the game. The emphasis is on having fun and entertaining everyone. Meet the Savannah Bananas, who wow fans and have MLB’s attention – Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
If you read my last blog post, you will know it was about the Air Guitar World Championship in Finland earlier in August. It started with this quote.
“It is ridiculous. It is as silly and absurd as it sounds. In fact, that’s why I wanted to start being an air guitarist to begin with, because I saw that this thing existed and I’m like, ‘That is the stupidest thing ever. I want to be the best in the world at that.’” So says, Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard, the World Champion Air Guitarist in 2012. Make Air Not War – Standing in the Light (iamstandinginthelight.com)
We have a theme here. Cultivating and living in the energy of “more fun.” Besides the sheer joy of these activities, there is science behind living a more fun filled and joyful life.
NPR Life Kit has a podcast called: How to have fun – even when life’s got you down. How to have fun : Life Kit : NPR
This podcast, hosted by Julia Furlan, interviews Catherine Price who authored the book The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again.
In her book, Price defines true fun as “a time when you are able to embody a mix of three things: playfulness, connection and flow.”
Price goes on to explain playfulness, connection and flow.
Playfulness:
“Playfulness is when you embrace a spirit of lightheartedness and freedom. It means letting go of the idea that you have to be perfect or to achieve something.”
Connection:
“You feel a sense of connection with the activity that you’re doing. You feel a sense of connection with your physical body. Or, most likely, you feel a sense of connection with another person or group of people through a shared experience.”
Flow:
“You know that thing where you’re totally immersed in something and can even lose track of time? That.”
All of these energies are going to raise our vibration, and that is what Spirit encourages us to do daily.
SPARK:
Finally, Price has an acronym to help us remember how to find and focus on fun.
S — Make space for fun! Put your phone down, or even set aside some time on your calendar to make sure you are really dedicating yourself to looking for fun.
P — Pursue passions. “You don’t need to put pressure on yourself and think ‘I’m going to become a professional snowboarder,'” Price says. Set the bar low! Look for things that interest you and let those guide you.
A — A is for attracting fun, which means having an open mind about when and where fun might appear. Price recommends an improv-style “yes, and” approach to having fun, where you look for fun as well as jump into other folks’ fun.
R — Rebellion! Price found in her research that a little bit of gentle rebellion was a good way to make fun happen. So, jump in a pool with your clothes on! Stepping out of what is expected of you can be a great way to seek out fun moments.
K — Keep at it! Like any new practice, the only way to really incorporate it into your life is to try it many times. So don’t give up if basket weaving doesn’t work for you — maybe it’ll be guitar or making zines or working in the community garden that becomes your next fun magnet!
Whether you try your hand at air guitar, join the crowd at a Savannah Bananas game or watch a favorite sitcom, take stock in what you are doing. Try not to multitask away the joy of one activity by sandwiching it in with another thing on your to-due list. Try to see the beauty and fun of being present with each of your experiences. Marsha’s latest blog entry addresses this idea as well. How Are You Drinking Your Tea? – Marsha Hankins
Being present will help us remember the joy and fun of being alive, and the joy and fun of being human. That is the greatest show on earth.
Gratitude to S Hermann with Pixabay.com for the image.
by Lori | Aug 30, 2022 | Blog
“It is ridiculous. It is as silly and absurd as it sounds. In fact, that’s why I wanted to start being an air guitarist to begin with, because I saw that this thing existed and I’m like, ‘That is the stupidest thing ever. I want to be the best in the world at that.'” So says, Justin “Nordic Thunder” Howard, the World Champion Air Guitarist in 2012.
Nordic Thunder was a judge at this year’s competition which was held in Oulu, Finland, this last weekend. (August 26, 2022.) You can view the live stream here, if you like. Air Guitar World Championships in Oulu, Finland
The competition started in 1996. As stated on the group’s website, “The purpose of the Air Guitar World Championships is to promote world peace. According to the ideology of the competition, wars would end, climate change stop and all bad things disappear, if all the people in the world played the Air Guitar. This is why the whole universe is invited to play the Air Guitar for world peace at the end of the competition.” Story – Air Guitar World Championships
The group’s belief is you can’t hold a gun if you are holding an air guitar. The group also states that air guitars are accessible to all without regard to gender, age, race, economic status or sexual orientation.
If you watch any of the live stream, what you will find is joy and ridiculousness. It is marvelous. It made me smile and raised my vibration. The playfulness and the joy of the alter ego inducing atmosphere is hard to deny.
If you ever need to get yourself out of a funk and allow the energy of fun into your life, consider the benefits of putting on some 80’s hard rock, big hair band song and really allow your inner Eddie Van Halen to soar. What song will inspire you to aim for new heights and new joy?
by Ginger | Aug 26, 2022 | Blog
Walking on a path through open space today, I spotted a bright yellow cluster of leaves amid a forest of deep green. I wondered, “Why those particular leaves first?” Out of all the trees lining the path and all the green still on this one tree, these few leaves volunteered to be the first to stop producing chlorophyll in preparation for Fall. In its innate wisdom, this tree knew that it was time to start shutting down, and in their innate wisdom, these leaves knew they were best place to start. They were in complete sync with the needs of the entire organism and surrendered to the transition.
What would happen if these leaves feared being the first to brown and die, so they refused to change? What would happen if these leaves believed that going first meant they were the best and decided to start changing too early, throwing off the equilibrium of the tree and threatening its health? We know what would happen because our human egos make decisions from these types of emotions and reasoning. This kind of decision making is what damages relationships, creates inequities in community resources and causes massive turmoil throughout the planetary environment.
What would happen if we could surrender fully to the flow of life, free of judgment or fear? Connect with the peace and freedom of honoring that flow. We talk about honoring each season for its natural rhythm, but we can also honor the transition of the seasons, allowing ourselves to be in sync with the temporary imbalances of seasonal change.
This month, I invite you to celebrate the transition of one season to another. There is value in the transition itself. Before you jump from the essence of summer into the energy of autumn, enjoy the uncertainty and variety in this time of change. What is this season of change teaching you? In nature, this time of year is marked by some days starting with a sharp crisp in the air while others reflect the diminishing warm days of summer. Sometimes the bustling energy of the coming harvest is called for and other times bring us back to the lazy relaxation of hot summer. Look for parallel shifts in your own life and focus on being in sync with them.
Celebrate the unique rhythm and essence of transition itself. Feel the total, absolute peace of surrender to the process of change. The nature of the universe is constant motion, and you are the essence of the universe. You are movement itself. Relish the experience. Enjoy the ride.
image courtesy of Anita Smith on Pixabay
