Mahatma Ghandi was an extraordinary instrument of change. His story is such an inspiring one…one that has changed the way the people of the world interact…
“Be the change You want to see in the world” ...so simply stated, and so charged with empowering challenge!
Some recent events and circumstances have caused me to revisit this directive, and ask myself, “Am I being the change I want to see in the world?” That query quickly becomes, How can I be the change I want to see in the world?
I hold a dream of a planet that seeks first to understand and co-operate… to move toward the greater good for all, and leave conflict in its history.
It has become clear to me that this begins in the center of my own heart… Ghandi teaches: “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.”
BraveHearts, I seek your thoughts here. How is it that you conquer your opponents with love? Further, how do you find the power within to have soft thoughts surrounding those that have opposed you and given you a time of sadness? How are you being the change you want to see in the world?
I am finding a degree of challenge in accomplishing this, and my Knowing assures me that great joy lies on the other side of its mastery!
If you have read "Eat,Pray,Love", you have tasted Elizabeth Gilbert's genius as a crafter or word pictures.
In this 18 minute segment, she faces, explores, and resolves the challenge of the creative process - - if you have ever put pen to paper, voice to melody, or indulged in expression of any nature... I offer that this is a must see. Enjoy!
"It is Not What You Call Me... It is WHAT I ANSWER TO...
Isn't that profound? I just saw it on Facebook, and it has me going.
HELLO! I believe I have been answering to the wrong names! Some examples: Overweight Aging Struggling Artist Physically Challenged Funny Walk Workaholic Childless Single Woman Still not THERE Financially
As a very Wise Woman has taught us: In an instant We can make a decision to change our direction and change everything about our lives - (sorry Ellie, I know that is wildly paraphrased..)
So I am saying "Goodbye" to the static-laden "names" I have been answering to. If you want my attention, call me something like this:
Master of My Existence Healthy Body Capable Wizened by Experience Available! On Track Living With Purpose SkyDiver World Traveler A Student of the Universe An Instrument of Change
I encourage each of my readers here, to, right now make the list of names you answer to!
As I write this, I am challenged by a sadness settling upon me resulting from my helping my closest friends here on the island – my Hawaiian Ohana – prepare to move back to the mainland. These are the people with whom I share my holidays and many splendid evenings, camping trips, and potlucks (we are all great cooks!). The economy is dismal everywhere, and particularly hard hit on a vacation destination island. When people are losing there shirts, they do not have the money to go to paradise. As a direct result many businesses here are closing there doors, and the ones that are staying open are cutting way back. That combined with a troublesome volcanic activity – for over a year Kilauea has been venting an impressive column of SO2 (sulfuric dioxide) which is giving people respiratory challenges – has made it a good choice for my friends to return to Kentucky and Washington state. Whereas it will give my a great excuse to attend Derby Day, and explore western Washington, I am a more than a little concerned about just how I will fare without their hugs and smiles. These are the people who have filled my void of an actual family for many years.
And…this is a world class opportunity for Linda to get stronger at her weak places. I have a history of being not an especially outgoing person in most settings - BraveHeart gatherings being the exception! I tend to be reclusive and stay to myself a lot of the time. It is not accident that I inhabit the remotest corner of an island situated far out in the Pacific.
At this juncture, I will either come out of my historic shell, or be exceedingly lonely. As we say here, “It ain’t no tsunami!" AND, Linda has some growing to do…
Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying: "We cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it."
I strive to free my mind of the constraints that are familiar, and explore all the possibilities without the influence of my "history".
I am entering a time when I have awareness of how my past behavior HAS NOT served me, and I wish to acknowledge those lessons and move forward in a new mind...
In times such as these, with all of the economic uncertainty, and upset plans for the future, it is more important than ever to become masters at "blooming where we are planted". Our obstacles always, without fail, hold opportunity. I would love to see your comments on how you have seized an opportunity born of an obstacle.
I am participating in a Body Challenge that spans Jan 2, 2009 - June 15th, 2009. It is sponsored by the company whose nutritional cleansing system has brought me 100 plus pounds closer to my body's correct weight. The contest is judged 50% on body transformation(pictures), and 50% on an essay I will submit about my experience. I am in to winAND, regardless who is selected as the recipient of the title, I have already won it in many ways!
I have won my life back!
As part of my exercise commitment, I have set a goal to walk 1000 miles during the 22 weeks.... AND,... yesterday I PASSED the Half-Way Mark
For many years I worked on Broadway as a Wardrobe Supervisor, which means I was responsible for all of the performers appearing at the appropriate time in the correct and complete costume. I was infamous for taking the job waaaaaaaaaaaay too seriously. It was mind boggling - we're talking a staff of dozens, and a million shoes and earrings and cravats, and aprons and bras and sox and rings and skirts and pants and headpieces and gloves and fake eyelashes.... and and all kinds of stuff. You can imagine how tedious all that can be, especially about the third year of eight shows a week. In '93, I was working on "Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" starring a daytime drama heartthrobe who shall remain nameless. There were 100 kids in costume in that production -that alone was torture-, plus that production was a quick change nightmare! I got a little tightly wound on a regular basis.... On matinee days, whenever possible, I would scoot out the door as soon as I could after the first show, hightail it to the gym on 49th and 12th, and swim. After my swim, I was wet-haired, and a lot more pleasant... but timing was critical if I was to get all my laps in...and ALWAYS, there would be a barrier of starstruck, soap opera addicted housewives waiting for a glimpse of our star.... and it took a fair amount of New Yorker elbowing to get through the crazed, sobbing women. I would complain bitterly about this to anyone who would listen... Not pretty! I frequently called them "the Soap Cows". So happens that in this tale of Joseph - Dream Interpreter of Kings - we had LARGE (Cow Size!) GOLD Headpieces that covered not only the head, but the entire torso... On April First, as I opened the stage door, prepared to muscle my way through the adoring throng, I was met by 10 Large GOLD Cows screaming "April Fools!" and an assistant doubled in laughter!
'May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.'
Mother Theresa
This is a prayer I visit regularly. It holds great power for me. Enjoy!
"Tough economic times seem to be threatening almost everyone..
The greatest mistake we can make now is to allow the group mentality of fear to creep into our personal lives.
Fear works to undermine our true strengths and ultimately leads to unfulfilled potential.
Overcoming fear is less about fighting the feeling and more about accepting your innate capacity to connect to the faith within your heart each day by allowing love to lead the way. Fear cannot live in your heart when love is present. "
This is taken from a daily newsletter I receive: "Yoga for Everybody"` and it comes into my attention at a time when the "old Linda", the "pre BraveHeart Linda" would be allowing panic to grip my heart over my current (and temporary! ) financial crunch.
Practical Yoga is offering a 40 Day, Change Your Life Challenge meditation series which you can learn more about by clicking HERE
I am participating in the challenge, as I believe this will be excellent and very time appropriate training for me!
I invite you to commit to 10 minutes a day to achieve progress in living with a calm heart..
Warm Aloha to you as BraveHearts, Linda Carol Berry Let It Be Fun
It was my privelege to be there when BraveHeart Women Global Community was born. In this limited space, I am hard pressed to convey just how much this community has contributed to my life. I have met and become friends with some very extraordinary women, from all over the world. I feel that I am part of something much bigger than myself, and that together we will influence a significant Shift In the Mindset of Humanity... away from conflict...toward co-operation.
I am excited to my core about what millions of women can accomplish together!
Continuing on our path of global influence, BraveHeart Women's Core Inner Circle will allow me, and all of you to participate at a higher level and accomplish even more. It is our chance to make a difference...together.
Linda Carol Berry Founding Member Core Inner Circle BraveHeart Women Global Community.
" Your greatest tool is making someone feel special "
I have just heard this in a training, and I can not think of one single area of my life where it does not hold true.
In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, "People never forget the way you make them feel."
When I reflect upon the people who have impacted my life the most, I realize they are the ones that made me feel special...
Thinking about my alignment with BraveHeart Women, and Ellie Drake, I know that I will make a long and joyous journey with all of you, because you make me feel special...
I strive to be aware of how I make people feel, and hold the intention of making them feel special.
For the last 10 months, I have journeyed from a portly size 22 to a petite size 4.
This experience has been a wonderful adventure...with a twist!
On the inside, I am the same mind and heart… And… absolutely everyone responds to me differently. When I encounter people who have not seen me in a year or two, I actually have to tell them who I am. Imagine that for a moment.
When you are very heavy, there is a need to NOT bring attention to your size - so you take on a "Background" role. Now that I feel that I want to be examined, scrutinized and admired, everything changes... I am eager to be seen.
The real shift that happens is in how you are allowed to grow comfortable with yourself.
I have many thoughts on the subject. As is always the case, when we have gone through an experience and it has had a chance to marinate in our consciousness, we see that the real purpose was not at all clear to us at the outset. I thought I was striving to be more attractive, agile, and energetic – all very worthy goals and attaining them is extremely enjoyable! I now can see that my experience can serve millions in a way I had not even considered when I decided to change my stature.
I really feel like my role here, my Purpose, is to get a grip on the energetic shift that has occurred, and share that...
So many people are locked in their oversized statures as a mechanism of dealing with an underlying energetic issue born of emotion or trauma, or even generational legacies that prescribe their "ceiling" or parameter of thought about themselves.
I believe that a very effective way of dealing with the weight struggle is to first recognize, and then defuse the "upside" of killing yourself with food. This experience, which is wonderful beyond measure, to be sure, is opening an entire world of thought to me.
There are sub-cultures - LARGE NUMBERS of them, of persons like myself who are now wrestling with the issue of re-gaining the weight, or the fear of re-gaining the weight. Equally as many , sabotage their weight loss efforts to AVOID the fear of re-gaining, or the shame of it, and the utter hopelessness and self hatred that regaining entails.
Weight control, and relationships with food, are highly emotionally charged subjects with millions. I'm just now beginning to realize the true nature of this widespread enigma.
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