The Christmas season is a great time of love, joy, and peace. It is a special time. Gratitude and giving are present all-around.
I love this time of year. Even when I had little, and there were many reasons for despair, it seemed easier to me, to think of the good, to think of what I was grateful for. I hope that all can find the joy of gratitude and giving this month, and this coming year.
Dan Drew
Michael Bernard Beckwith is joining with others on 11.11.11 to create a movement called PeaceLink. He has a great gift for words, and a great energy of good about him. I like what he is doing. I applaud his efforts. The PeaceLink movement desires to accomplish a great good in this world.
It’s a number of people coming together to create a vibration and coherence all around the world in which individuals will stop and celebrate the infinite possibilities that lie within each and every one of us as spiritual beings and the human incarnation. There’s so much attention being portrayed in the mass media which is disruptive, that shows parts of society which have fallen apart. Yet all at the same time there’s a whole pattern of energy emerging so peacefully, brought about by individuals that are sending out a call to place our attention on that which is seeking to emerge in us, in the human family, and to come together and articulate that—to feel that, to express that, to celebrate that, and to anchor that on the planet on this particular day. We will have an array of artists, speakers, visual artists, dancers, singers, and we will come together and adopt the highest for our planet and reach out to other places [cities] and release that powerful work and joy.
This whole interview is worth reading. Michael Bernard Beckwith does much good, desires to do more, and has a strength of leadership that will lead many to do much more, to contribute, to help out, to make our world a better place.
I desire to work with Michael in The Seven Steps Foundation. He could add much to making it better, to helping it reach the people of this world, and to help it do the great good that it can and will do. I believe in the Seven Steps. I desire all to know about them, to learn from them, to apply them in their lives.
I send my support for the good that PeaceLink is doing, and will do. May others unite in bringing the peace that is so desperately needed in this world.
Source: “PeaceLink 11.11.11, An Interview With Micheal Beckwith,” Vision Magazine, Nov. 2011
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Agape International Spiritual Center
Oprah Winfrey and OWN are beginning Sunday morning programming designed to “nourish the mind, body, and spirit… to help viewers awaken their best selves and discover a deeper connection to the world around them.” Super Soul Sunday sounds like a spiritual journey that is worth taking. The first episode will air an unusual documentary entitled “Wake Up.” In it, a common man, Jonas Elrod sets out to find out why he has started seeing ghosts, and demons, and things.
Throughout the film, Jonas’ loving yet doubting girlfriend Mara supports him but questions his experiences along the way. Her skepticism leads to her own profound awakening we witness firsthand. The film culminates in the realization that Jonas’s “special ability” is the inspiration for him to discover who he really is and get more out of life. Jonas’ captivating journey to explore larger truths about the universe and everyone in it reveals how all of us can search inward for our own peace and happiness. It’s an invitation to accept that there is more to this life than meets the eye.
I have had experiences in the spiritual realm. They are more real to me than the physical ones that I experience each day. Spirituality is a strength of mine. I believe in balance. A good balance of mind, body, and spirit is desirable. I believe that spiritual food is more needed than physical food. Physical food is temporary. Spiritual food is eternal.
The Seven Steps Foundation has a clear focus on balance, courage, and seeking oneness with the good in the universe. Inspiration plays a key role in living the Seven Steps, and making dreams come true.
Thank you Oprah Winfrey, and OWN, for encouraging personal growth and discovery. The more I know who I am, the more I have to share.
Source: “Acclaimed Spiritual Documentary ‘Wake Up’ Premieres on the First Episode of Oprah Winfrey Network’s New ‘Super Soul Sunday’,” PRNewswire, 9/29/11
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Edward James Olmos gave a landmark speech on Tuesday 20 Sep 11, in Pueblo, Colorado. I wish I had been there. I would love to see a video of the speech, and the text. I hope they are available. We are one family on this earth. There is only one race, the human race. When we divide ourselves into parts (sub-races), or create new “races,” then the troubles begin.
“There is only one race and that’s the human race. We use the word ‘race’ to define culture but in actuality, there is only one race….
The word race is a unifying word but we have used it to be a divisive word…. We wanted to be able to kill one another easier. As soon as we had different races, then you could kill….
We are all related but we act as if we are all so different. We should stop using race as a cultural division…. We are the most diverse country on the planet but we say that only European studies deserve to be taught. You know what, you pressed the wrong button because that is what has led all of us to this day. Not being able to accept ourselves for being human beings first….
If we only teach them [Latinos] that they are Latin and that’s the culture that’s in them, you lose… You start with Africa, you bring in Asia. You work the indigenous in and the Caucasian and European. You put them all in there and you say that you are all people….
We are all one race. Never forget it.”
I am very impressed and moved by what Edward is saying. I believe this in the depths of my soul. We are all family. We are all children of God. We all have infinite worth. I am committed to accept and treat all as my brothers and sisters.
Thank you Edward James Olmos for your leadership, vision, and goodness. I am with you.
Source: “Olmos stresses message of unity,” Pueblo Chieftain, 9/21/11
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Edward James Olmos gave a speech on Tuesday 20 Sep 11, titled, “We’re All in the Same Gang,” The title alone speaks volumes. We are all in the same gang. We need to look after each other, help out, love. Life is about love. Edward does much to encourage others to choose good, and to stay away from the awfulness of today’s gangs.
Besides acting, Olmos is an influential activist and advocate in the Hispanic community. Many of his causes revolve around youth and their problems, including violence and gangs.
He frequently speaks to youth groups, particularly at-risk youth, about making the right choices in life, the importance of education and the risks of being involved in gangs.
Olmos has been the U.S. Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund.
He is the executive director of the Lives of Hazard Project, a national gang-prevention program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.
I believe that we are all in the same gang. I believe that all on earth are children of God. I desire to treat all as family, to love all as my own. I desire to encourage those affected by gangs to consider a better path, to have the strength to choose what is right, no matter the consequences. The Seven Steps Foundation can do much to help in this endeavor.
Thank you Edward for all the good you do. May good things continue to come into your life. May you continue to be a great influence for good on others.
Source: “Olmos to speak: ‘We’re All in the Same Gang,’” Pueblo Chieftain, 9/19/11
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Michael Bernard Beckwith recently talked about the importance of example, of living what you believe, of loving, and being fully present in the moment. The influence that a grandparent has on their kids and grandkids is great. Life and belief (religion) is about doing.
“Religion is sort of what you do. And children watch you,” Michael says. “Our grandkids watch what we eat [a healthy vegan diet]. They watch us with their parents. They watch us being in spiritual community, being of service to others, being generous and kind.”…
Michael explains how kids have “one kind of conversation with their parents” – about school, chores, activities, time to go to bed and the like. “But as a grandparent, you get to have a much wider conversation. You get to talk about life,” he says. “You can ask certain questions about the kind of person they want to become or the contribution they want to make to the world, and it leads to other questions.” Those are the kinds of conversations Michael had with his own grandfather, and they “still resonate” with him.
The most important thing, this loving couple agrees, is to spend time with their grandkids, to be fully present in the moment, and to enjoy them.
I love being a grandparent. I love my grandkids. I hope the best for all of them. I desire to be a good, loving influence and example for them. Thank you Michael and Rickie for your words of wisdom, and good examples.
Step 1, of the Seven Steps, is all about choosing good, love, being a good example, and being grateful. I believe in the Seven Steps. They have done much for my life. They are true and good principles that have stood the test of time for millennia. I encourage all to learn and live them.
Source: “Love Is As Love Does,” GrandMagazine.com
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The stories of all people have great benefit and value. I like all stories of inspiration, of dreams come true, and even the ones that don’t turn out well, that lessons can be learned from. Cuéntame has a meaning of count me in, or tell me your story. The Cuéntame organization feels that the stories of Latino’s is not very well-known.
This is precisely the reason why it becomes even more important to tell the true stories of families who work hard day in and day out to build and rebuild their homes. To share the daily struggles that migrants faced working the fields making pennies and contributing actively to the economy — not only by paying taxes (a fact often gone unreported) but through the rich cultural and social traditions that they offer. To give a glimpse into the millions of individuals, students, families who can relate their success stories, their positive contributions and their giving back selflessly. To highlight the arts, the music, the films and the diversity that makes this country special. These are the true Latino voices that need to be told. We at Cuéntame (which translates into count me in or tell me your story) have told ours and have collected thousands more through hundreds of videos produced over the past couple of years that cover all these. We need more — we need to unify those voices and tell the millions that have yet to be told. Through spaces like Latino Voices and like Cuéntame we can accomplish that goal. What is your story. ¡Cuéntame!
The Dreams Come True Blog desires to have inspiring dreams come true stories and inspirational stories from all the people of the earth. Along with the Seven Steps, and its principles, it can be an inspiring and enriching place to visit.
Source: Axel W. Caballero: Voices and Stories of a Latino Movement, Huffington Post, 8/13/11
I like the energy and example that Oprah Winfrey leads with. She’s had great dreams, worked hard, and had many come true. Now she embarks on another great dream. I’m watching to see her success, how she does it, and to learn from her. The women of the world love her, and appreciate her voice. Her network, OWN, appears poised to move up, entertain, and be a force for good. Oprah’s desire to teach, encourage, and lift can add much to OWN’s reach and appeal.
“I am [now] ready to dedicate my full creative energy and focus as the full time CEO of OWN,” she said, also pledging to “unleash the full potential of the network.”
Those who have a great passion, and express it, captivate the interest of those around them, inspire action, and accomplish what they desire. When Oprah Winfrey says, “I’m in!” it’s refreshing and worth taking notice of. I look forward to seeing this new “script” as it unfolds. The potential is great, and the opportunity grand.
Source: “TCA: Oprah Winfrey on OWN — ‘I’m in!’,” Reuters.com, 7/29/11
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