Every moment of every day, the good news is the good you choose to focus upon.
~ Ann Albers
Welcome to the October / November Autumn “Transitions” Issue — Change is good!
Depending on the situation, changes can indeed be good for us, the very catalyst to jolt us out of our emotional and mental stagnation and paralysis. Yes, change is usually uncomfortable, maybe a might messy, and occasionally disheartening and debilitating. But these unexpected and unplanned events open doors and paths that we may never have taken if not for these bits of “encouragement.” It is the push from the Universe / Source / Higher Guidance, or however you term it, that provides us with the courage needed to nudge us past our blocks and fears.
I can look at my professional life as an example: Out of college in 1981, I was working at my absolute “dream” company in New York City. However, after one and a half years, things weren’t working out very well — I was going nowhere and I was miserable. All rational thinking dictated that I be patient and give it more time — especially when my halfbaked exit strategy was to open a natural foods retail store in a marginal location with little start-up capital. 24 years and 5 locations later, I’m glad that NYC job didn’t “work out” (even if my ego did take a beating).
Further down this path, the opportunity (through my stores) to obtain Creations Magazine presented itself. Neither Andrea nor I had any publishing or advertising sales experience — so of course we jumped at it 🙂
Not easy, not comfortable. Seventeen years in, I still feel it in my stomach every time I need to call on a prospective advertising client. Making money, I love; chasing after it, not so much. And I still wait until the last day to write this column, hoping Andrea will swoop in with some profoundity and inspiration 🙂 Nevertheless, this publication has turned into one of the top highlights of my life, opening doors to relationships and freedoms not available to me in my prior businesses.
To bring peace to the Earth, make your own life peaceful.
Hanging on my office wall, the message above is my daily reminder to avoid contributing to the pervasive fear and angst. The “Left,” the “Right,” and most everyone on the political / social spectrum hold deeply passionate beliefs, principles and desires to bring about the best possible outcomes for themselves, their family, friends and planet. Regardless of what “side” you think you’re on, ultimately, we are all on the same side.
As more of us cultivate our individual inner peace, the more we reflect our true essence and raise the collective consciousness. As Owen Waters, Alan Cohen and others have illustrated in these pages over many years, the negative emotions of division, fear and anger are overridden by the exponentially higher energies of joy, peace and love.
So, rather than forcing our self-righteous viewpoints on our neighbors, let’s instead serve the highest good by Focusing on Harmonious Outcomes for all.
Peace All-ways,
Neil & Andrea
