Welcome to our August / September “Back to School” Issue.
40 years since I graduated college, I still feel a bit of a “twinge” when I hear that phrase, back to school. Then I remember this doesn’t apply to me, and I exhale.
In our late summer issue, we focus primarily on “lessons.” Ann Albers and her “team” teach / remind us that our focus determines our thoughts. Energetically, this is how it works: Your thoughts (or silent mind) tune you into a vibration, and your vibration is made manifest first through your feelings, then by what shows up in your life.
Constantly blaring divisiveness, the mainstream media are experts at ratcheting up the fear among the masses, making it relatively easy to become entrained in the low-vibe barrage. Regardless, you alone get to choose your own focus and tune to your own vibrations no matter how compelling others try to be. When you consciously strive to choose vibrations that feel good to you, your life will become better… no matter what anyone else is doing. The easiest way to start is by simply turning off the “noise.”
As we’ve mentioned many times on this page, we love to hear from our readers; good, not so good, or otherwise. Well, I heard “otherwise” from two of our callers regarding our June / July ’21 Summer Issue: One concerned our Poetry page. This reader was genuinely upset that we delivered only a half-page, telling me in no uncertain terms that this was “unacceptable!”
Yep, knowing this section of the magazine is a particular fan favorite, we knew there would be disappointed readers. However, editorially, we felt we were serving our readership better by using our available space to offer an additional article — instead of running poetry that would not have been a good fit. “More” is NOT always better.
The other dissenting voice involved our buddy and regular contributor Alan Cohen. Not about anything Alan wrote mind you, but rather because we left him out of the mix last issue. This particular caller demanded I do not make that “mistake” again.
So … the glaringly obvious “lesson” learned here: Don’t mess with either the Poetry page or Alan Cohen!!
Speaking of Alan, he is featured with TWO articles this issue —not because I was “encouraged” by that caller, but because they are both a great fit for this edition 🙂
In Are You Ready to Take Off Your Mask? Alan states, It is possible to become so steeped in fear, protection, and defense, that when we no longer need to protect ourselves, we may continue to do so out of habit and a sense of safety behind elaborate barricades. Circling back to the top of this column, it is solely up to us where we choose to direct our focus.
For those of an appropriate age we offer up a “double Martini” — Donna Martini that is. Her article on page 13 is particularly provocative.
Every day does indeed present opportunities for learning. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Peace All-ways,
Neil & Andrea
