According to my textbook, Physical Geography, by McKnight and Hess:
At any given moment there are approximately 2000 storms on Earth, producing around 6000 flashes of lightning every minute, or more than 8.5 million bolts in one day.
An average hurricane releases as much energy in one day as that which is generated by all electric utility plants in the US in one year.
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a fine spirit of hope of achievement. You are here to enrich the world and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.
Our busy lives of consumerism and chasing the magical man-made dollar are having a huge toll on our souls and our one and only home, our planet Earth and all of her creatures. The things that our society values are meaningless and harmful to the human spirit and the spirit of the Earth. One small example is how our disposable way of living is having a negative impact across the globe. Our trash and bits of plastic are being spread through the ocean to faraway places where it is polluting beaches and killing animals. We don't see it, out of sight, out of mind, but it is happening nonetheless.
A documentary is now being produced to illustrate how damaging our careless actions are and how it is effecting Midway Island and the Albatross population there. All of life is interconnected and we need to start understanding this at a deeper level then we ever have before. Eventually, unless major paradigm shifts occur, we will begin harming ourselves through the interconnected nature of life itself. In fact, I'd say we already have...
Since we live in a world of consumerism, one of the most powerful ways we can make a difference is in what we consume, what we buy. Take time to think about what you purchase. Do you really need it? Is there a way to achieve the same goal through a less disposable option? It may take a slight shift in our thinking patterns and habits, but that is a small and easily achievable thing to do in light of what our habitual patterns and desire for convenience is doing to the environment around us.
Midway
We are at a mid-way place. On a remote and isolated island in the middle of the Pacific, twelve-hundred miles northwest of Hawaii.
This is a moment in time, a chance to witness and understand our role in an astonishing environmental tragedy. This is a place that provides context. Here, reflected in the beauty of the Albatross, is an unfolding horror. Yet it is a horror in which we see our own lives, a snapshot of our impact on the planet that challenges us to consider how to move forward.
Join us, on a breathtaking and emotional journey, into the heart of the Pacific, and into the heart of ourselves.
Production of the feature film “Midway” continues through 2011.
Life can be difficult, challenging and painful. It can also be magical, wonderful, amazing and brilliant. It is my belief that the difficulties we face have a purpose. They have something to teach us. They have something to give us which will help (or make) us grow and understand. I'm a firm believer that if you ask for guidance and information, you will receive it. However, you must clear the mind and set out an intention in order for it to happen. I believe we receive messages and guidance all the time, but we often fail to recognize it as such or are too busy or preoccupied to hear or see it. I ran into a post from Melissa Van Rossum this week that explains this very well:
Intuitive information or divine guidance comes in many and varied forms to us each and every day. The problem in receiving it, however, is several-fold. First, we’re busy. Too busy. We’re busier than we’ve ever been and we continue to look for ways to be more effective with the time we have. Our minds are often overloaded and focused on other things such as goals, deadlines, kids, spouses, issues from the past, dreams of the future, and all the things that we don’t want in our lives. Rarely is our attention in the present simply noticing and listening without distraction. We need to make time to listen...The simple art of being and thus being aware, is rare indeed...When your mind is crowded, busy and distracted, your creativity and intuitive abilities suffer. Creativity and the receiving of guidance thrives upon the natural ebb and flow of life. There is a time to strive forward and a time to rest and receive. If you’re regularly distracted, you’re sending the message to the Universe that you’re not interested in receiving any information. And so you don’t. The Universe will always honor your intentions and desires...Begin to listen and watch – your thoughts and feelings. Listen more closely, allow your awareness to open. Become receptive. Let the Universe know that you are willing to hear what you need to hear. See what you need to see. Change what you need to change.
This came at just the right time for me. Do I feel lost, confused, alone, not sure which way to go, what to do in life, strapped down by certain aspects of our society that absolutely suck and are absurd? Definitely. But I also know there is much more to life and I'm determined to make the most of this short time I have here. If you listen, the Universe will guide you, if that is what you truly want. From this day forward, I'm going to try my best to make an extra effort to ask where I need to go and what I need to do to best fill my life's destiny, overcome my challenges and enjoy peace and happiness. This requires me to slow down a bit, figure out what is most important, prioritize and stop and listen. I'm sure it will also require the painful experience of letting go of old patterns, thoughts, beliefs and sources of comfort. A death of self, if you will. Is it easy? No. Is it a necessary part of life? Yes, if you want to grow and live life to the fullest. What is worthwhile does not come easily. The more darkness we process within our selves, the more room there will be for light. Our society has mostly lost it's connection to "spirit" to "nature" and to that which is "sacred." This has had a tremendous toll on the human spirit. No wonder so many people feel lost, alone, confused and dissatisfied. Yet, we can still access this wisdom and magic of the Universe if we tell her we are ready and we believe...
