Friday, April 10, 2009

The Rose

My dear friend Katie who is blessed with the gift of angel communication recently received a letter from her uncle from the other side who, through Katie, wrote a letter to his still living wife. He was a gardner and loved roses. He said to his wife in the letter that no matter what state a rose is in -- be it a bud, full bloom, or when it's starting to wilt and die -- we always are able to view it's beauty. Never do we look at a rose with a petal starting to die and say:

"Look at that rose. Boy it sure would be beautiful if it weren't for that dying petal."

Nor do we look at a rose bud and say:

"Oh that rose bud is too young. Someday it might be beautiful, but now it's just an ugly rose bud!"

No, when we look at a rose no matter where it is in it's life journey, we think they are beautful. It doesn't matter if they are yellow, red, pink or salmon. It doesn't matter if they are on a bush with other roses, or a single bloom, or cut and displayed in a vase, we find roses beautiful.

He ended his communication with, "Wouldn't it be great if people could view each other the same way they viewed a rose; ignoring the imperfections and seeing the whole as beautiful?"

This Easter season let's all try to set aside our differences; let's not focus on the one thing that isn't as perfect, and see each other as we see a rose - Always beautiful.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Beyond Your Best

Over the last 5 days, I was given the opportunity to attend the Breaking Through Level I workshop. Breaking Through is a life coaching experience that takes you through a series of experiential exercises for you to come in touch with who you really are and what truly motivates and matters to you so that you can develop and implement life success strategies.

In all honesty, I would not have attended this workshop or considered it if it wasn't for the fact that for the first time they offered the five day seminar free of charge. I went with an "intention" of "leaving if I didn't like it." I can now honestly say that I wish I would have done it alot sooner in my life, but believing that we all align in the universe at the right time for the right thing, it must have been perfect timing.

I wouldn't be fair to the company, the process or any future attendees to divulge the details of the experiences beyond what I personally gained from the activity, so I won't do that here. But, I will send to all who read this, if you have ever felt that there was something "missing" from your life experience; that you have felt fear, mistrust, dishonesty, or lack of success in any of your spiritual, physical or mental endeavors, you should consider this workshop.

After this experience I am now a strong believer in the program and more importantly the outcomes and will attend Levels II and the VIA (Vision in Action) workshops they offer.

In addition, Breaking Through offers a new program called Journey. These are 12 week experiential meetings and workshops that help you develop, implement and fully live your life's purpose.

Breaking Through is not a religion and does not present or adhere to a dogma, so no matter your spiritual, religious or current belief systems, their techniques and strategies apply.

Breaking Through is offering Level I for free again beginning May 13 through May 17. You can register at http://www.beyondyourbest.com/.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Virtual Concierge

This blogspot is intended to provide the reader with my personal recommendations and critiques of places in Indianapolis, as well as on any vacations I might take.

Of course, these are just recommendations based on my personal experiences and preferences: A "Joe the Plummer" reflection on the world.

First, I'll start with my recent trip to Hawaii. I tagged along with two couples -- friends of mine who own timeshares through Shell Vacations. We spent the first week in their condos. The second week was purchased for a very minor fee with the agreement that we'd attend a two hour presentation where they try to sell you something.

I went into the presentation protecting my emotional body with a spiritual armour; expecting to be brainwashed into purchasing a timeshare. To my surprise, the formal presentation was actually very good and informative.

Afterwards, we spent several more hours going over options. My friends ended up upgrading their plans. While a timeshare wasn't the right thing for me at this time, I did end up purchasing a two-year, try it out, package. I was given several thousand points to "spend" over the next two years for a very modest fee.

So, my timeshare experience was actually a very good one.

Now for a quick review of Hawaii! I have been to the big island of Hawaii and thought it was beautiful. I hear the air quality is degrading these days due to the volcano, so if you're planning a visit there, make sure it doesn't affect you. If you are asthmatic, I'd give that island a second thought.

This trip, we spent three days in Oahu. We visited Pearl Harbor and I must say that is a sobering experience. It is one of those things you should do once in a lifetime.

If you are interested in the night life and love Miami and New York -- which I loathe -- then Oahu might be for you. I found it crowded, commercial and not what I was looking for.

However, the next leg of our trip, Kauai, was magnificent! The 25 x 33 mile island has something to offer for everyone. For me, it was the beauty, the people, and the laid back nature of the island that impressed me. Must do's in Kauai:

1. Eat a Puca Dog
2. Try a Masalada
3. Eat fish, fish, fish
4. Take a catamaran trip with Captain Andy
5. Watch sunsets any day weather permits
6. Shop, shop, shop
7. Visit Wamea Canyon
8. Eat at Brennecke's Beach Broiler
http://www.brenneckes.com/
Poipu
808-742-7588
9. Eat at Bubba's Burgers and get fun T-Shirts
4-1435 Kuhio Hwy
Kapaa, HI 96766
808-823-0069
10. Take the Hawaii Movie Tours Very Fun!
http://www.hawaiimovietour.com4-885/
Kuhio Hwy, Kapaa - (808) 822-1192

That's all for now. If you have questions, please blog me back!

Peace - c~