…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
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A Teacher's Gift For several years, I have been seeking the way to be more and do less, to abandon my deep-rooted need for super-achievement and perfection. Yet like a workhorse at the starting gate of the Kentucky Derby, I simply did not know how to proceed. And therein is a key: Not knowing. Not knowing is a being place, a place of acceptance, peace, presence…possibility. I thank my Tai Ji teacher for this reminder. Although I’ve studied with Chungliang “Al” Huang since 1988 and practice my Tai Ji daily, I entered the August “Diving Deep” course with eager enthusiasm to learn how to perfect my form. After all, my gymnast son taught me years ago, “Only perfect practice makes perfect.” My teacher had something different in mind. He read poetry and played music that heightened my emotions. He encouraged us to recite poems, sing songs, tell jokes and dance the essence of our Tai Ji. More interested in our inner awakening than our outer motions, he led me to deeper and deeper levels of awareness. Yet my mind’s stubborn need to know how to hung on for dear life. One day, I boldly revealed my burning desire to my esteemed teacher, “I really want to go home knowing the “Third Circle” so that I can add it to my daily practice.” Chungliang was quiet for a moment, and while I don’t remember his exact words, here’s what I heard: “No, Marian, what you need to do is to go home knowing that you don’t have the Third Circle.” In that instant, the build up of music, poetry, dance, seeking, and my teacher’s challenging response collided within me, and I burst through that starting gate like the thoroughbred I – and all of us – are. As I surrendered, my pen captured the moment in a poem I later entitled “Transformation.” I invite you to read it aloud, slowly:
Weeks later, while hiking in the Rocky Mountain National Park, transformed by the magnificence of dancing waterfalls spilling into alpine lakes and craggy mountains towering over sweet meadows of multi-colored wildflowers, a friend asked about my life purpose. “In the past,” I said, “my purpose was to be Love in Action.” After a moment of contemplation, I could share my newly awakened purpose, “simply, to be a loving presence.” To be or not to be – that is no longer the question for me. With gratitude,
Special Offer through September To support you in sharing these Agreements at home and at work, we are offering a special rate of only $1 per Agreement through September, at www.RevolutionaryAgreements.com. Get Revolutionary Agreements for only $12 instead of $21.95 per book (plus shipping and tax) if you order now. This is a great time to think about birthday and December holiday gifts, family reunions, teambuilding at work, and relationship-building in your community and at your place of worship. For case orders (40/case—limited quantity), we can give you an even steeper discount. Let’s talk! Helena@marlinpress.com Allow us to support you in changing your world, one agreement at a time. Special Event For Colorado Businesswomen: Wednesday, October 18, 6-8 pm, Ft. Collins CO: Marian will present “Making Integrity Part of Your Business Plan” at the Northern Front Range eWomen Network’s Accelerated Networking Dinner. eWomen Network is the #1 resource for connecting and promoting women and their businesses worldwide. Informal networking starts at 5:10 pm; dinner at 6. Click Here For Details Your stories are the heartbeat of the positive revolution. Keep them coming! Choose Change Josephine Gross, Ph.D., is an educator, researcher, translator, and Editor-in-Chief of Gabriel Media Group’s Networking Times, the premier journal for professional networkers. My life is about constant change. Ironically, “constant” and “change” seem odd together, yet change is the only constant I know in this world. Although born in Belgium, I completed my Ph.D. at Stanford and settled into the relative comfort of academia for many years. Then I got the itch to make a radical shift and moved to France involving myself in technological research for the next five years where I learned to enjoy change, not resist it. The principles behind the Revolutionary Agreements served me well. Returning to the states I found that the job I thought was waiting for me at Stanford was gone. Instead of succumbing to a feeling of defeat, I looked for the blessing in disguise. Eventually, my blessing revealed itself in a new and exciting business opportunity AND introduced me to the man who would become the love of my life. This man not only shared a vision similar to mine, he brought with him two precious gifts, his young daughters. Suddenly, I was a stepmother. Another MAJOR change! Practicing my three L’s (listen, love and lighten up) was essential to my newest and most challenging opportunity. Lacing that liberally with respect for each other and always speaking our truth created a family relationship that, almost 8 years later, is strong and mature. Four more Agreements have served me well. My husband, Chris, and I co-founded the Gabriel Media Group (GMG) because of our shared vision: global prosperity through a philanthropic philosophy. As the new Editor-in-Chief and spokeswoman for GMG, I am facing yet another change and opportunity to expand: public speaking. Because of my strong accent, I wonder if my English-speaking audiences will understand me; then I remind myself that this is just another exciting adventure in living my mission and I forge ahead. The Revolutionary Agreements are a powerful guide for dealing with the constant changes in my life, empowering me to live the truth of who I am, to accept others for who they are, and to feel deep gratitude for the opportunities that continue to unfold in my miraculous life in this wonderful country. I have been to many potlucks this summer. I used to avoid them as I never knew what dish to bring or if I would enjoy the variety of other dishes. Eventually, I surrendered and chose to make it an eating adventure, determined to take something unusual, and discover something new that I had never tasted. The bonus has been discovering delicious new recipes and making wonderful new friends.
Potluck for Peace It was a hot day in August, The picnic had been planned Twas our annual potluck barbecue Mr. Russia brought his casserole The China twins came in smiling Iran and Iraq came together I looked down at the dish I brought All in all the day went well. Let peace be the food that nurtures us |
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