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enlightened orgs: inspiration
ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS WILL BE FOUND AT THE LOCAL LEVEL
Michael Kalmanovich, owner of a unique, organic food supermarket in Edmonton, Alberta, does not lack for inspired, innovative ideas to fulfill his passion to sell locally grown organic food, socially conscious products, and a free dose of education in the process. He took his first step of faith in 1991 by opening a store with $20,000 invested, $167.00 in his bank account and a huge abundance of dreams.
Earth’s General Store was opened in a small location on the fringe of the university in the capital city of the province. It is also smack dab in the heart of a ranching and oil-based economy. It was in this province that KD Lang, a home-town celebrity, riled local extremist ranchers who defaced community signs outside her home town of Consort, Alberta, after her public service announcement in which she spoke out in favor of vegetarianism.
If opening an organic food store in a business culture like that sounds like it takes guts and a leap of faith, that pales by comparison when you hear Michael’s latest dream!
Check out episode transcripts, schedules, and more!
music & arts: The Ongoing History
By Nick Corsi
What is alternative rock?
I have always been a big Alternative Rock fan. What is alternative rock? Well, you could categorize it using a number of sub-genres such as grunge, punk, indie, hardcore, metal, or any off-shoot that isn’t completely mainstream. The last 40 years have provided an explosion in the amount of genres rock n roll has to offer. Classifying, categorizing, and placing different artists in the proper labels is incredibly difficult. But I know a guy who can give you a little help if this is something you want to tackle…
Today, we are celebrating the significant acts of two groups of people who are making a difference – first, a group of Canadians doing, 1 million right things...and secondly, 2500 Australians, who peacefully stood up for their beliefs.
My usual approach to this Friday post on Consciousness, is to recognize the inspiring efforts of an individual who is committed to doing something special to make a difference on the planet. We call this person an enlightenor. They are, typically, someone who is quietly going about doing the right things, for the right reasons.
It is exciting to see groups of people coming together – one dream – one team! On Wednesday, February 4th,2009, a Canadian team reached its goal!
I believe one of the reasons the concept of the Law of Attraction caught on so quickly was its resonance with ideas of abundance. We are infatuated with a definition of abundance that is about GETTING more, MAKING more, HAVING more.
That is the level of understanding many people had of what this Law is all about. And a formula or law that could possibly tell us how to acquire material wealth more quickly and easily, certainly is as attractive as being given the Midas touch.
In a kindergarten assignment to bring 100 things to school, marking the 100th day of class, six year old, Tarak McLain took a very different spin on the 100 pecans, raisins, or M & M’s that mostly appeared. Tarak, who was born in Thailand, was attending kindergarten in Austin, Texas, when he surprised his kindergarten teacher with a very different approach to this assignment.
HE COMPLIED 100 OF HIS BELIEFS….
I believe it’s OK to die but not to kill … I believe war should stop. I believe we can make peace.
DO YOU FEEL MORE SECURE TODAY, THAN TEN YEARS AGO?
In yesterdays blog, Power Elite Struggles for Control, I talked about a new piece of US legislation, growing out of the Homeland Security initiatives on the war on terror, that will exercise greater control over passenger lists of aircraft flying over US airspace. I suggested this is an example of the extremes being used, presumably to make you feel more safe, in this dangerous world of terrorists who could be living right beside you… or lurking around any corner… or even flying overhead!
I also used this as an example of “old minds” attempting to deal with new realities, in the same consciousness that created the problems in the first place. Doing this is what Einstein would have referred to as, “Insanity.”
‘HOW LIVING IN A CLIMATE OF FEAR AND SUSPICION…IS MAKING ME LOVING AND CALM…’
I love stories when big risks garner big rewards. They brighten the spirit, inspire others and dramatize the “possibilities” of life. Some stories like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak creating Apple in their garage are dramatic and impact society in significant ways. Others may be less significant but are still fun to share.
I am blessed with some colorful friends and fraternity brothers. One of them is Larry whom I’ll soon be sailing with in St. Lucia along with three other mighty sailing men. Besides being the single best story teller I’ve ever met, Larry lives life large and has an easy going philosophy of life.
Here’s a short tale that will give you some idea why he’s simply a joy to be around. If you like this one, don’t worry there are more.
You define the moment or the moment defines you. – Kevin Costner in Tin Cup
New fan? or Never seen an episode? Watch them for free at ABC.com’s Lost Page
music & arts: how entertainment can be a window to our lives
LOST RETURNS!
This week Lost, and all of its cryptic yet elegant glory, returned to ABC for a 3 hour Season Premiere. If you haven’t watched it before, Lost is a show about a group of people who have crash-landed on an Island in the Pacific Ocean. It doesn’t take long for the survivors to realize they are embarking on an endeavor that will provide them with a renewed sense of self. Over the course of the last 4 seasons, they experience times of happiness, hopelessness and utter confusion.
There is nothing that delights me more than coincidences. I think they are a little “cosmic goose” telling us there is much more to this “life and universe business” than we ever dare to imagine.
It is a higher power having a bit of fun with us, as one would gently and lovingly tease a child. I think they hold metaphorical messages, if we will only take the time and energy to attempt to decode them. I hope the coincidences I have detected this week are a sign that there is…
enlightened organizations: global trends: inspiration: best practices
Ode Magazine
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THINGS AT ODE-TRULY POETIC
Ode (from the Ancient Greek) is a form of stately and elaborate lyrical verse[Wikipedia]. Ode magazine is included in our list of Enlightened Organizations for its commitment and success in lyrically focusing on what there is to celebrate in the world!
This month Ode magazine honors the heroes whom they call Intelligent Optimists:
“Intelligent Optimists, individuals who aren’t famous yet but should be because of the work they’re doing to bring positive change to their communities, their countries and the world. That’s how we got 25 reasons to be optimistic in these challenging times.”
We all admire and respect the dreamers we run in to. Sometimes we can run into them in unusual ways and in unusual places. Sometimes their impact is profound and sometimes it is more subtle, but almost always it makes us pause and reflect about how a different perspective or vision can alter our world view.
I have a story from my college days that takes a lighthearted look at optimism in action. I hope you enjoy it.
STRETCH YOUR LIMITS
The real voyage of discovery consists not in making new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
Think the entertainment industry is like the 3 hour awards shows we see four to five times a year on TV? I sure hope not, because even though certain rockstars, moviestars, and broadway stars are constantly being taken care of, those who work in this industry are actually “working” and working, “a lot.” And take it from me, it’s not always pretty.
WHAT IF ROADIES ACTUALLY DID RUN THE WORLD? THIS VIDEO COULDN’T BE CLOSER TO THE TRUTH.
Would you walk away from ten years of your life work and passion – because your conscience now tells you, your work is not safe for the environment? Well, that is exactly what our Friday Enlightenor just did.
John Lacy, astronomy professor at the University of Texas, has had the courage to stand up for what is right, and has walked away from awards and accolades and future success for his life work for NASA, because it is the right thing to do. With people like Lacy, our world will be in good hands…
“AMBITION TO MEANING”- THE MOVIE “Finding Your Life Purpose”
For one day only, January 14, 2009, you can view Dr. Dyers movie, “Ambition to Meaning - Finding Your Life Purpose”, produced by Hay House, online for FREE!
Dr. Dyer is one of the great modern day sages for spiritual growth. Click on the photo for more about Dr. Dyer.
This latest product is a delightful approach to discussing how our society has overlooked the essence of life, creating cultures overly occupied with MORE. We are consumed with Achievement, and have lost the ability to trust and access our greatest gifts…and consequently, discover our life purpose.
Remember Carly? – the most talented hair artist, actor, singer, bodybuilder – all- around woman I have met in a long time! I profiled Carly in a previous blog where I introduced you to how I attracted this special woman as my new hair stylist – and in true abundance, I found much more than a talented stylist -I found a new and amazingly talented friend.
BEING – BELIEVING – ACHIEVING
This is the tag line for my Soul Abundant site, and the essence of using our greatest powers of intuition, thoughts and emotions, to create our preferred reality. Carly took my course several months ago, and she recently sent me this email to share an exciting example of how the Law of Attraction is actually working in her life, helping her to fulfill one of her dreams.
CARLY ATTRACTS HER DREAM HOME – JUST BY BELIEVING…
Have you ever wondered about the real environmental commitment of hotels with those little cards telling you they are concerned about the environment,“so please don’t ask us to change your towels or sheets daily”… and then, they fill up the bathroom with little tiny packages of toiletries that get partially used -and then, become landfill?
Well, Greg Salloum, property owner, Best Western Inn, in Kelowna, British Columbia is an exception. This man is sincere and dedicated to his commitment to the environment and has spent the money to prove it.
I didn’t inherit size, mass or speed. Whether because it matched my body type or my personality, I was always attracted to physical mastery in three steps: flexibility, then balance, then strength. I am always entranced by displays of these three elements. They remind me of my daughter, Rebecca’s grace as a gymnast.
Thanks to Sandy Berarducci, here’s Human Perfection in the Physical World. Now why aren’t you practicing?
“What do you do if your boss asks you to lie for him or her?”
Nan DeMars, author,“You Want Me to do What?”, says you should tell your boss I will never lie for you. But you also should know that I will never lie to you, either.“www.office-ethics.com.
WHO KNEW WHAT?
With all the scandals we have been exposed to recently in the banking industry, on Wall Street, and in politics, one can’t help but wonder about the subordinates who “had to know”.
“Do you pay attention to your thoughts? Do you control them or do they control you? Where do your thoughts come from? Did you choose that thought – or do you just accept the thoughts someone else dumped on you?”
THINKING IS HARD WORK!
I want to focus on a concept, all too prevalent in our thinking-something that influences our behaviour and dramatically impacts our results-in a less than positive way. It is called DUALITY.
It’s my pleasure to introduce a man of the highest ethics who has proven himself an outstanding accountant, strategist, futurist and business consultant for corporate clients large and small. I am honored Greg has agreed to share his insights and humor for Thinking Big Works readers. Enjoy. – David VanAmburg
USE A STORY TO PUMP UP YOUR POINT
I’m a big believer in the power of stories to convey a message and to elevate communication. A story is a wonderful way of expressing an idea, fact or point of view. In the hands of a skillful master, a well-crafted story can both simplify and communicate complex concepts. One of my favorite gifted story-tellers was the late Carl Sagan who could convey difficult scientific theories in terms that were fascinating, memorable and yet understandable by the average Greg. And trust me. That is no small accomplishment.
Entries
Abundance
What do you believe?
Fear only “begets” more FEAR!
You define the moment or the moment defines you. – Kevin Costner in Tin Cup
When will we learn to love?
Our world in good hands
