One Voice...

I have a read a lot of dialogue recently about the need to be a "world" citizen. I like that. It's one of the benefits of having so much technology. We know what is going on around the world within seconds of stuff happening (tsunami's, wars, and many good things as well). We are citizens of a country I know, but really everyone is our neighbor, right? The one next door and the one across an ocean.

The world citizen concept is intriguing to me because it causes us (I certainly hope it does anyway) to live outside ourselves, considering others, and having compassion. The tragedy in Japan is the most recent event that helps us understand this situation.

The thing that intrigues me the most about being a world citizen is that I should be moved to action when another has a need, no matter if it is on the other side of the world. We can help. It's almost like we have one voice with many languages spoken.

A song that is heavy on my playlists is One Voice by The Wailin' Jennys. Enjoy this video and think about being a world citizen.

The Universal Language

Someone posted this on FB the other day. If I remembered who I would give them credit. I don't; so if you were the one leave a comment and I will include you! Bobby McFerrin, best known for Don't Worry Be Happy, does an amazing job of explaining the universal language; actually demonstarting would be a better desacription of what he does in this video... enjoy.

http://www.ted.com/talks/bobby_mcferrin_hacks_your_brain_with_music.html

Forgive and... let go... eventually.

Yesterday morning I had the privilege of listening to a lecture on anger. Or at least what I thought was going to be on anger. After an acknowledgement of the "tip of the iceberg" principle that describes anger, the speaker moved to forgiveness. What a great move! But I was shocked. We don't usually go there. For the victim or the perpetrator. The one who hurts or the one who is hurt.


He went on to explain that we need to. We need to get rid of the notion that we can forgive and forget. We can hope to do the work of forgiving and eventually letting go. Forgive and forget is a pipe dream. Only God does that. Only God CAN do that. He used a great metaphor to illustrate what he was talking about with the letting go. He said that if you are harboring that anger, resentment or bitterness for very long you can seem like you are getting on with life but at best you have a stake driven through your shoe into the ground and you cannot go very far. You can turn around in circles but there is no moving on. You are stuck. And the worst part is that the anger, bitterness and resentment just continues to grow...


I love that metaphor. Not resolving the roots of anger can do that. Unforgiveness can do that. The speaker went on to talk about dealing with hurts that won't go away. They are quite possibly the roots of anger.It could also be expectations that are unrealistic or unfulfilled. Or, needs that are unmet... hmmmmm. Do any of these ring a bell? Do you need to addrress your anger? Do you need to offer forgiveness even when someone else isn't asking for it or is deserving of it? Do it anyway. Or at least start the process of trying to  to do it. It may take a while and you may need help along the way.


It was good to hear this yesterday. Anger can be something that festers and boils under the surface feeding the bitterness monster inside you or it can be a constant battle with explosions that destroys everything around you. Unforgiveness is one of the roots here. Contact me if you need to work on this.

New business! New website! New blog!

Hey everyone, things have changed for me recently and I am starting this blog again. I have begun a counseling business in Colorado Springs and I am looking forward to this new venture. I'm also starting a new website. I will be updating this blog with everyday stuff like before plus a new one on the new site (more related to counseling topics) from time to time.

Spread the news! You can also follow me on Twitter and FaceBook.

Time to get writing again.