…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
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Making A Difference If you’re reading this e-letter, it’s likely that you’re one of those people who feels great when you make a difference in the world, or in the life of another person. Can you recall the last time you did? Sometimes I think, “I’ve got to give more time/energy/money to this important project that helps people.” Or, “I really should focus on ‘X’ because it could make a huge difference in our country.” Occasionally I have wondered why I am engaged in business-as-usual, when I could be out “saving the world.” Last week I had an “aha!” moment. Sitting in the audience at a wellness conference, tears streaming down my face, I listened as one person after another shared their stories of surviving – and then thriving. People who had given up hope were now rejoicing; spouses and children thanked us for having their loved ones back. I was overtaken by emotion…and suddenly a deep spiritual realization that this work was as significant as any other. I had left my wellness business two years ago to do “greater” work in the world: to write my book, to seed the “positive revolution,” to help re-unite America, to do my part to create Peace on Earth. My “aha” was that my seemingly more mundane work to educate people about nutrients necessary for optimal health was as vital as any other contribution I could make. I realized that whether I’m working on the grand level of saving our planet or simply helping one person to have a better quality of life, I am fulfilling my mission to be Love in Action. I also remembered that we have multitudes of opportunities to make a difference on a daily basis. Small decisions, such as turning off the water while brushing our teeth, re-using grocery bags, and eating organic foods when possible, serve our planet. Simple gestures, such as opening a door for someone, listening without judgment or offering a genuine smile, can make a huge difference in someone’s day. Regardless of the work we choose to do and the stuff of life we juggle every day, we can each walk with the magnificent purpose of my friend, Viv: “My mission is to make a difference in the life of every person I meet.” Contemplate that one. With Gratitude,
Happy Birthday, Revolutionary News! We are delighted that you are here to celebrate the one-year anniversary of this e-letter! Enjoy reading (or re-reading) some of Marian’s previous messages. Here are a few of her favorites: June 2005 – The Gift of Presence Our Birthday Gift to YOU!It’s our birthday. But rather than receiving gifts, we’d like to give them! Through April, if you order books or posters at www.RevolutionaryAgreements.com, we will ship them anywhere in the United States for FREE! Perhaps you want to consider who you’d like to give a gift to, and we’ll ship it directly. To get your free shipping, click here by Success
Stories Transforming Fear into Freedom Susie Mottashed is the author of the award-winning book, Who Lives in Your Backyard? Creating a Journal That Opens Your Eyes and Heart to Nature’s Nearby Wonders (soon to be on DVD). She is on the Board of the Colorado Independent Publishers Association (www.cipabooks.com) and host of a cable TV show called What’s Your Story? It airs on CCTV54 in Louisville, Lafayette, Erie and Superior, CO. She also facilitates workshops on nature journaling and field sketching. www.sketchesfromtheheart.com I took Revolutionary Agreements to Hawaii prior to interviewing Marian on my TV show. Reading the book, however, became so much more than preparation for an interview. Although all the Agreements impacted me, two of them jumped out as particularly relevant. “Speak my truth with compassion” and “Resolve conflicts directly” struck a chord deep within me that brought up childhood memories. I was reared in an environment in which my parents’ authority was the rule. There was not much encouragement for the expression of my thoughts and feelings. I tended to be silent and avoid conflict in order to not rock the boat. Recently, I put both of these Agreements to the test by speaking my truth to someone with whom I had an issue but was uncomfortable addressing it. Speaking my truth with the element of compassion added the integrity that allows this process to work even when both parties do not agree. The result: freedom. I now allow myself the freedom to speak, respecting both myself and the other person. I speak confidently about my feelings without fearing a reaction and issues are no longer bottled up inside me. The Agreements reaffirm that I have many options on how I handle conflict. I have unlimited choices, I don’t take things personally and I allow myself respect while offering that same opportunity to others. I feel much lighter and notice daily how the Agreements integrate into my life. In my personal copy of Revolutionary Agreements, I note where an Agreement is mentioned in the Bible. For instance, Matthew 18:15 describes “Resolve conflicts directly”: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” Another Agreement that is significant for me is I Agree to Live My Mission. I am here as an “encourager,” one who supports people to reconnect with their creative spirit that will permeate all parts of their lives making work, play and home more rewarding. My mission is important to me and living it daily fulfills me. Revolutionary Agreements is a timeless treasure. Thank you Marian!
April 10, Monday, Boulder, CO, Columbine Unity Church – As part of the series, Building Spiritual CommUnity, led by visiting Rev. Judi Elia Ballard, Marian and her husband, Glenn, will speak on “The Value of Agreements in Building Loving Relationships at Home at Work and in the World.” Please call (303) 546-0114 for details. April 30, Sunday, Stafford, TX – Rachel Claret of ORGANIZEN will host an adult discussion group at the Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Church on the Revolutionary Agreements. Please call (281) 277-8882 for details. When small my mom gave me a mustard seed pendant, popular in those days as a symbol of what faith can do to "move mountains." Remember the song about the ant who wanted to move a rubber tree plant? These were just cute myths until I learned to move mountains by my own faith and perseverance. Now if only I could remember to apply this 24/7!
Move a Pebble, Change the World High up on the mountain ridge I am not high upon the heap In order to make the changes sought Sister Wind spoke soft and low Power is vastly misconstrued But power is that which formed in faith It’s all about a belief in self Looking down I kicked my toe Pebbles and rocks became stream of stone I faced the sun in gratitude What’s your tiny stone? |
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