New Year-- New Opportunities

With the new year, we have another splendid opportunity to embrace new beginnings, whether rooted in new goals, or the rekindling of old goals which we never fully answered to. The significance/practice of "'doing it until it works' - working at it…working at it…until nothing short of success is enjoyed" can be a powerful notion, if we choose to make it real. This dynamic of this outlook is inclusive of a deep awareness of the importance of becoming more and more skilled in the things that we do in life - most particularly the healthful things which beneficially contribute to our quality of life. We CAN chose to lovingly embrace the notion of life being a highly-evolved art form: We CAN endeavor to selflessly outgrow our desire for excuses, blame, and complaint. Yes, this IS difficult stuff, but we CAN take ownership of this healthful philosophy, realizing it often takes True Effort to succeed...to outgrow bad habits (making unhealthful practices less and less necessary). It is True Health through True Responsibility.
At a most difficult level of True Effort, True Forgiveness of ourselves and others can manifest into reality: We can alleviate ourselves of this terrible weight. In all, it is congruent with our True Responsibility of making the world a better place. In taking the logic a bit further, we can realize that, among our greatest of responsibilities, we CAN enjoy the dire insight that we have no excuse but to be justly supportive of others - and how we can unselfishly and splendidly benefit from this practice. It is allowing ourselves True Freedom in enjoying life's ultimate gifts.

Too often we say we want to do something or accomplish something - until we discover how difficult it is. We realize that the journey toward the goal or objective is not enough fun - is too complicated - too nasty - too trying. We so often refuse to enjoy the miracle of the journey toward the goal - we focus our eye only on the reward - being unwilling to appreciate and objectively witness the 'big picture.' We are all capable of looking at this same issue through a more healthful lens: What a wonderful gift we can allow ourselves if we work toward a goal while displaying True Appreciation of the Miracle of the Moment… each moment of the journey. This is impossible all of the time - albeit recognition of the significance of this practice is a key aspect of a True Effort which cannot be separated from a healthful means of trying and achieving. It requires us to learn to better and better embrace our comfort and discomfort equally, lightening our loads of distastes, distastes which are often rooted in circumstances which we do not even recall. Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) made this point: "We are formed and molded by our thoughts. Those whose minds are shaped by selfless thoughts give joy when they speak or act. Joy follows them like a shadow that never leaves them."
According to the philosophy defined herein, a significant level of True Health clearly reflects the healthful practice of employing True Effort - and real and substantive True Effort cannot be realized unless such action is in distinct congruence with 'doing the right thing for the right sake,' e.g., the 'right sake' being 'without the need for selfish recognition.' Herein, so-to-speak, our 'load is lightened,' fostering less and less stress and anxiety - making True Effort possible and actually enjoyable when we realize a lightness of being, not bogged-down by selfish and/or emotional baggage …a wonderful, abundant level of healthful true self-efficacy. In looking at the issue in full circle, doing the right thing for the right sake, unto itself, when contrasted with other healthful objectives which we might attempt, is among the most difficult - requiring an amazing amount of effort. Albeit, nothing will better enforce substantive realization of comprehensive and genuine health and wellness.
If we wish to take True Responsibility for our own health and wellbeing, then it may be possible that we can learn to mindfully and objectively witness and make real the notion that life should be the highest of art forms: The more and more selfless one becomes in creating one's art form, the more and more beautiful and healthful the art, the artist becomes. It is learning to Play the Part of the Perfect Witness - to oneself and the world in which we are an integral part. It is an outlook which is unblemished and light. It is True Honesty…learning to prefer to not be weighted-down by desire of recognition for one's good work/effort. It is a significant key to unlocking the door to True Health.
When making healthful positive changes in one's life, it is of great importance to be truly appreciative of the miracle of being able to do so. This is a gift made real by our own efforts and by the efforts of others. True Health is being a loving witness to the process and knowing not to be afraid of the notion that there is always room for improvement (which may be among our greatest blessings on this Earth).

It is amazing what we as human beings can accomplish when we do not give up. Notwithstanding, we often display little faith in the obvious potential benefits of making healthful changes in our lives. We have the strength and wherewithal to succeed in any goal we set for ourselves, if we are willing to 'do it until works,' never giving up. It won't ever work otherwise. This New Year can be special, it CAN be different, if take true responsibility and make it so. What a beautiful blessing! What a beautiful gift we can allow ourselves. The below saying speaks well to this point:
The Lotus Flower Blossoms (as set forth in Chapter XV of my new book):
There is a place where, wherever you are there, whatever you are doing…no matter what, in any given moment, there should be nowhere you would rather be. It is where you are right now - and you have the ability to so deeply and artfully appreciate your life and its living…to connect one healthful insight to the next, and make them all one…learning to witness this already-existing truth.
In the wilderness of our existence…a place of budding flowers about, about to unwrap in a showing of perfect appreciation for all to thrive upon, we are the flowers which can blossom again and again in each season of our deeper and deeper insights…all connected…each better and more healthful than before.
It is not unlike Heaven…and it can become Heaven, with enough insight and appreciation. It takes quite a few sparks, glimpses - spine-tingling moments…as a way-of-life which becomes more and more purposeful…more and more without time or space or distance. More and more there is less and less to hide behind.

Holiday Prayer, a safe place to live

Richmond, VA… December 2012 …
Across the Nation, communities question “Is there a safe place to live?” A few years ago, U.S.A Today newspaper posed this question when it published a full-page insert. The newspaper reported bad weather as brewing from blizzards to heat waves and across the nation, the prospect of ongoing natural disasters fueled by unhealthy shifts in the environment. Reviewing the report, readers saw a map depict region by region increases in blizzards, snowstorms, earthquakes, flash floods, monsoons, tornadoes, hailstorms, heat waves, hurricanes, typhoons, ice storms, thunderstorms, lightning, tsunamis, nor’easters, river valley flooding, volcanic eruptions and wildfires.

    More recently, communities asked this question when our Nation experienced loss through global civil unrest. For on the anniversary of September 11th, an incident occurred which was described by Hillary Clinton as ‘there will never be peace on earth when there are those who use their religion as an excuse to terrorize others.” And, this week yet another senseless mass murder – students and staff of Sandy Hook school – occur reminding all of us of the frailty of personal safety. So, how under these circumstances do we reconcile its loss, regain a sense of peaceful existence?

     When solicited to creatively define the concept of peace, a Tapestry for Peace was unveiled during a National League of American Pen Women conference held in Denver. Inspired by a Denver Branch Pen Woman, the late Eve Mackintosh and comprised of panels that reflect the diverse nature of common desire for a peaceful world – a safe place in which to live, this tapestry is an expansive work. Measuring more than 250 feet in length, it features 64 panels hand-made by hundreds of people and organizations from across the U.S.A. For those interested, the exhibit is available for showings around the U.S.A. and internationally.

     On the other hand, those who ‘dig in the dirt’ acquire their sense of safety – solace –through another option, renewal of season or planting living green. While not to lessen the impact on any one of the 32 affected families, in a way, Virginia’s green – horticulture – community so-to-speak experienced loss during the Virginia Tech shootings of one of its own, Jocelyne Couture-Nowak. Described by the media as an ‘Adjunct Professor of Foreign Languages that joined Virginia Tech on August 10, 2001 - Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, French Canadian, beloved mother, wife, and a member of the Blacksburg community, in which she and her family have lived since 2001, passed away on April 16, 2007, while engaged in her passion, teaching Intermediate French at Virginia Tech.’ To honor Jocelyne and her family, the state of Virginia’s Green Industry fund a Jocelyne Couture-Nowak Memorial Garden, a terrace at the Hahn Horticulture Garden.

    Perhaps less creative but most certainly essential, regulatory activities occur, too. In early 2013, members of the Global and National Climate Change Academies are scheduled to release eco research compiled by member national and global scientists. Then, our Nation’s elected representatives are legislatively required to review this research and enable eco regulation. In other words, our Nation’s regulatory communities find a way to make sense of loss due to the impact of ongoing natural disasters fueled by unhealthy shifts in the environment. And, hopefully, there will likewise be amongst us those who can make sense of the senseless act of mass murder, find a way to restore our Nation’s sense of public-at-large safety.

      So, whether it is for those who recover from the havoc of natural disasters or impact of global civil unrest or loss through the act of senseless mass murder, in the spirit of the holiday season, let us seek to protect the safety of our communities – business, civic and environmental. For, together, we can make a difference: be seen as people who CARE – set a Climate, not merely adjust to a preexisting one; create an encouraging Attitude, not practice ambivalence; are Receptive to people without losing sight of personal needs; and demonstrate Empathy for others while keeping problems in perspective.

      Regardless of cultural diversity, let’s join in a prayer for “a safe place in which to live, peace on earth and specifically request that it begin with me!”

pix caption - Tapestry of Peace exhibit sponsored by NLAPW

About Wright -
    Identified as an Industry 'mover and shaker' by Landscape Architect magazine, Sylvia Hoehns Wright urges all, during the holiday season, to join in a prayer for “a safe place in which to live, peace on earth and specifically request that it begin with me - become people who CARE!” Details of her activities are available at web site www.TheWrightScoop.com  or facebook group The Wright Scoop or twitter ID WrightScoop.

LAUNCH OF BLOG

Our first posting is a poem by an extraordinary award winning poet, Sandy Hartman. She likes her poems to be read out aloud for their full effect. Her own Website is still under construction but worth a look already.Powerful words there! This one she wrote for me and my Irish blog.

Earth Bound
A downpour empties the rain choked bowl of a thundering sky
Earth pauses after the soaking
And basks in a gray green glow
Back lit by brushed metallic radiance
That moment just before a new sun breaks through

The last few fat rain drops
Splat on the tin roof of the chicken coop
Bothering brood hens fluffed wide
Over clutches of satin brown eggs
Each hen, eyes half closed in contentment
Chucking quietly to herself

The moist smell of new straw warmed under feathers
Rises
Then touches the fragrance of strawberries and lavender
From the garden

My small refuge in this frenzied world gone mad over itself
As it speeds down a highway that cuts through corn fields
Sandy Hartman (©2010)