Greetings,
Here we are, back at the beginning of the cycle -- the snake. But before I elaborate on the attributes of the snake, I'd like to take a minute to discuss the future of this blog. I would like to make it more of an interactive opportunity, a place where readers can share their own thoughts and concerns regarding the place of the beast in their lives. These thoughts may take the form of personal stories or objective philosophies.
To do so, I think it wise to feature one beast each month. I will write a blog on the first Friday of each month and invite readers to share their input. On the following Fridays, I will consider all of the responses recieved, discern common themes, then write a follow-up to the initial post. Of course, if I recieve no responses, then I will have no material to consider. ITS UP TO YOU!
OK, now back to the snake...what comes to me this week is the snake's amazing flexibility. In essence, by bending its body just so, it can be present in two or more places at once.
For the sake of this discussion, please understand "presence" to mean influence on a specific environment. To be present in two places at once, then, is to have influence on two places at once. This influence, like Machiavelli wrote in his epic guide to power, can be administered through love or through fear. I hope by now you can all deduce that I'm not in the business of fear, so it is to love that we turn. In general, the people whom we love have given us something, whether that something be tangible or otherwise. To gather love, then, we must give -- give our time, give our attention, give our compassion, give our intentions, give our strength, etc. In doing so, we can ensure that a piece of us as individuals will become enmeshed with the target(s) of our love.
Please share your thoughts on the above by responding to this blog or by e-mailing launchmentor@gmail.com.
In Unleash the Beast news, I had the pleasure this past week of bringing the workshop to groups of young children. Needless to say, they loved it! What was most surprising to me was the level of self-control they demonstrated. In the middle of a rambunctious, sugar-fueled, activity-filled day, they were able to respond to my instructions without hesitation. Awesome!
In the after-math of these workshops, the idea of leading workshops at birthday parties was presented. Honestly, I was uncertain about this idea at first. It seemed to me to place the emphasis of the workshop on entertainment rather than self-development; but then I realized, or rather re-realized, that entertainment can be a great facilitator of self-development. So if you or anyone you know is looking for a fun and positive activity for a birthday party, please know that I am available.
Ben
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Flying High, Hello and Goodbye
Greetings Community,
This week we look to the Crane for guidance. Soaring through the air in full glory with little effort, the crane represents those feelings we experience once forward momentum has been initiated. With this momentum comes increased confidence, courage, and flashes of ecstasy.
As we soar away from the past and into the future, however, we are also often seized by a great longing to bring pieces of our past, the good pieces, along with us. Even though we have mighty aspirations and a great future to look forward to, we still find it difficult to say goodbye to what we had, whether it be people, posessions, or vocations.
During these times, when we're conflicted, torn between our attachment to what we have and our desire for what we could have, it serves us best to stay in the present. Rather than looking forward or behind, we can simply experience the moment. Just as a crane feels its wings slicing through the air as it soars proudly through the sky, we can turn our thoughts away from the advantages and disadvantages of the decisions we have made and focus our awareness on the feelings and caused by the momentum we are riding.
In Unleash the Beast news, I am happy to announce that myself accompanied by my lovely daughter Avi will be in the Whiteaker block party parade on Saturday. Following the parade, there may be workshops, or pieces of workshops, being offered on the lawn behind the Eugene hostel and/or on other patches of grass along 3rd street. But for those of you that just can't wait to unleash, please join me today at 2 at the LILA peer support club.
Ben
This week we look to the Crane for guidance. Soaring through the air in full glory with little effort, the crane represents those feelings we experience once forward momentum has been initiated. With this momentum comes increased confidence, courage, and flashes of ecstasy.
As we soar away from the past and into the future, however, we are also often seized by a great longing to bring pieces of our past, the good pieces, along with us. Even though we have mighty aspirations and a great future to look forward to, we still find it difficult to say goodbye to what we had, whether it be people, posessions, or vocations.
During these times, when we're conflicted, torn between our attachment to what we have and our desire for what we could have, it serves us best to stay in the present. Rather than looking forward or behind, we can simply experience the moment. Just as a crane feels its wings slicing through the air as it soars proudly through the sky, we can turn our thoughts away from the advantages and disadvantages of the decisions we have made and focus our awareness on the feelings and caused by the momentum we are riding.
In Unleash the Beast news, I am happy to announce that myself accompanied by my lovely daughter Avi will be in the Whiteaker block party parade on Saturday. Following the parade, there may be workshops, or pieces of workshops, being offered on the lawn behind the Eugene hostel and/or on other patches of grass along 3rd street. But for those of you that just can't wait to unleash, please join me today at 2 at the LILA peer support club.
Ben
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