I began my reflective/meditative time this morning, with aspects of Freedom…what it truly means…what does it feel like (or what would it feel like) to be truly free. It is an interesting and complicated question. I must also say that I delved into some deep thought about the “Free Trade” vs “Fair Trade” debate, then celebrated that I lived in Canada after all, in that, many more nations are far worse off with issue of “fair trade”…many more are being exploited in their quest to be free…or even fed.

I also reflected on a phrase shared and one time or another by one or nearly all of my children. I have been exposed to many who I could include as “my children” interestingly enough, as I reflected back on the part of my “foster parent” days…days of operating a therapeutice group home (for nearly five years…a total of ten children inclusive potential there….while there were the dozens during wilderness camp trips, youth groups and Awana’s (more on this later or somewhere in my biography, I know I need to do much work there, while at least my family will know about that).

I also have been engaged in “Blended-Family Life”. I spell those times, with great and positive memory, to be a little more of Laughter, Learning, Labouring in Love, while doing my best to extend Love…and of course there was experiencing a whole different meaning of Liberty. This was not so much the freedom aspect but in terms of “Liberating” my soul….all of this parenting, whether step-parenting, parenting my own children or the Foster Kids, and the “Pseudo-offspring” which I have no doubt there was as much of me…forever part of them….and they so…in many differing ways, will always be a part of me.

Back to the point I was making about the “global thinking” comment that would come from many of the mouths of all of my children…”that’s just not fair”….followed by the infamous line, shared as a typical parental response, “who ever told you that life was fair”.

As in tribute to children, every where in the world (and hoping all those that consider themselves part of my legacy in parenting, buddying, mentoring or teaching….may we see a future unfold that is more in tune with the Universal fairness….better yet, may I urge all…and may I commit to, making it a preferred future, one with fairness, Freedom, Liberty, Love, Laughter, Labour (that is based in love) and may we all Learn (and commit to) Living a Legacy.

BE the change, BE inspired and inspirit,

Dave

I was going through the material I have to review for the book (reflection on the “e” factor, as much as should it be called “Zen and the art of living”? but not original …Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance remains in my top ten of favourite reads)…and I came across some student submissions, when asked to think of five topics covering the word L.I.F.E.

It would be plagaristic for me to borrow from any of the submissions other than my own. I also need to give credit to the couple in Bracebridge who runs “This Old House B&B),(whose names I will not post here, since I do not have their permission to do that either)…so before it shows up in the book….and before you read below…think of and write down your own thoughts to words that come to mind.

To help…here is five things to reflect on that begin with L

L-Laughter

Learning

Loving

Labour (of love)

Liberty
I- Inspiration

Idealism

Imagination

Improvement

Improvisation

Ingenuity

F- Fun

Fantasy

Fantastic Food

Functionality

Freedom

E- Exercise

Enlightenment

Emancipation

Energy

Empowerment

Note that Liberty, Freedom and Emancipation…all were mentioned, yet do they not all mean the same thing? I will be emphasizing the difference between the three (in the book). There is a certain context in which we can be “Free”…but yet not liberated.(from within ourselves…conscientious, or emancipated which is a social context which we can apply to any oppressed group) Deep breathing is something that we are “free” to do but do not do in public, for fear of how we look or the impression we could be making. Yet, what on thing can we do to improve how we feel…and what we are able to do, associated with physical exertion.

I hope you understand why I have written this note…I I hope you take me up on the encouragement to “breath” for the sake of better quality of life, and not be to worried about what others think.

BE Well, Breathe deeply often, for the health of it!

Dave

Sometimes it is good to reflect on the past, even if it seemed as less than perfect. We will always be able to see the value of “lessons learned” if we keep a positive outlook.

I am receiving some very positive messages from the Universe lately, visit here, and you can “RE-capture” the vision I shared with you just a little more than a year ago.

BE well, BE the change,

Dave

click here
This has been a busy time studying, as I complete orientation to another specialty area in terms of my “traditional” Health Care practice. What I continue to develop is items for my book that also provides for items of interest for corporations to enhance their workplace (bringing more work-life balance is a great goal) and the Health Enhancement/Life Enrichment offerings primarily.
What I mean by Health Enhancement and Life Enrichment could be summed up in the one word “Wellness”, while I feel the need to clarify, that I am not offering the same as other “Wellness” Centres that are now as proliferated as Tim Hortons…getting to see the word on nearly every street corner.

So how does my offerings differ: You need but read the about link and the link of Social Integration Model theory (which is also referred to Primary Health Care Collaboratives if you have not read that link either (just look to the left of the screen).

What is coming together nicely in my mind, is that we are entering a new era (we are actually here, but many are still in denial…and hesitant to admit to need of transformative living).

“The sustainability of the planet” will continue to take headlines (the carbon issue has struck where it hurts the most…our wallets) and the food shortage, perceived or not, hyped or not…is just coming in time to illuminate the greatest of all issues…the water shortfall. It is a shortage already…as many industries are being stalled on plans to continue to use up more water, and we see that as a harsh reality for the Oil Sands.

Yes water is needed in most BIG industry…some times for “cooling” other times just to help clean items before, during or after production (think oil sands…but also think food preparation …tomatoes for example). It will be that which takes water to prepare, inclusive of water in the product and then clean up (sterilization for health reasons will always be a necessity…otherwise…please shut them down, my dear government).

I think we need to look a juices, pop, and oh yes wine and beer. There will need to be the sterilizing and clean-up, while we know water must go into product, yes….and then it is costly to transport (the carbon cost included). Interestingly enough in my mind was the diuretic phenomenon that we get from cola’s, tea, coffee, and yes wine and BEER. We seem to be proud of many things in this country inclusive of Hockey and BEER…(production and consumption) and what is that to say about our concerns about Ecological Footprints. If we are to be Ecologically Responsive (that is to reduce greenhouse gases, reduce carbon useage and emmission, and reduce the “thoughtless (otherwise foolhardy) use of water…what are we to do with that proud Canadians. When Beer is consumed….all the water for preparation, utilization and clean-up (not to mention the pollution of rivers, streams and utimately lakes that is the post-production reality)…there is also more water excreted from our bodies, to you know where….and yes….what a waste…literally.

So, hopefully this thought provoking blog will be read by minds that matter…and with hearts that care.

Hopefully, this will provide some illumination…another spin on “Drink responsibly”.

BE wise, BE well….BE not wasteful,

This planet is not ours any more, or any less than it is our grandkid’s

Dave