Intuition, Strength and Fortitude

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.06.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week's instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog... that time in the week when we can step back from the week that was and plan ahead in the day that is to the week that will be. All along the way remaining focused and grounded in the moment, filled with mindfulness and reflection on the moment.

Last week I wrote about "Why Me?" and the two different ways that people can approach these challenging questions, situations and events that transpire in everyones life. Whether it is a large magnitude earthquake in your backyard or a smaller tsunami off your coast, it is important to stop and reflect on what is important. I addressed the concepts that we tend to only give thanks when things are good and then wail and lament as our events do not happen as we expect. Darn entitlement. 

It is only when we are able to appreciate the mindfulness and Light and Grace and Spirit in the moment that we are able to accept whatever transpires with equanimity. That doesnt mean to be stone-faced about things. It is I believe ok to cry and feel emotions and happiness and joy. To feel those emotions is the gift of being human and associated with love I feel (and one reason I dont offer Kleenex).

To do these things and feel, be aware of the colour of the grass, the senses at their normal acuity is something that we do not realise until they are removed or impaired. True friends are the ones that will do whatever to help someone else and will accept the negatives and the positives, all in one felled swoop. That I believe allows one not to be a victim, but rather to take that love and caring as a form of altruistic giving. That altruistic giving (so abundantly found in pets and nature) can then be transformed into strength and fortitude.

If we operate under the premise that things are transient and do not develop a sense of attachment, but rather love people and the moment in the moment, we are able to establish a strong form of connection that leads to intuition and Grace. This is why we in part develop a strong sense of sixth sense which is often dulled by things or plans, but heightened when focused on the person and rooted in the moment. Intuition serves us well when we rooted in a spirit based approach, with the concept that all is meant to be and every snowflake falls in exactly the right place. What may seem random and chaotic is indeed, perfect. That is so counter-intuitive to what we know (and societal all about me rules have programmed), accept and entitlement-driven EXPECT in this world. For gosh sakes, we are playing the protagonist in our own personal movie and everyone else is extras... how disappointing is that bubble when it is so quickly pierced, after minutes to years of self delusion?

Strength and Fortitude are virtues that are energy transformed from the love of others and works in sickness and health, rich or poor and in times of stress and happiness. There is no scorecards, no director that will yell "Cut!" or wardrobe extras running out to fan you and remove the sweat stains. Nopes. We all have this and can tap into that well like a rechargeable battery. Sometimes it does seem so much but if one believes that we are given EXACTLY what we are able to handle in the here and now, that battery can recharge, not drain and die. Sometimes strength and fortitude need a boost. Thats where intelligent concern for others comes in, and intelligent, nurturing form of love and knowing, that sometimes comes from intuition.

To be aware of the battery of yourself and others and know where to give that boost and be willing to accept that spiritual booster will help other and yourself be yourself, often.

                           --- Rev Dr. Joel Lamoure     June 2012   (Fathers Day)

Lightning in our Orbit

From: www.joelwlamoure.com


Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. Ah, a time when we can sit back with a piping warm cup of coffee or tea and reflect on the moments of the week that has passed. No matter what, good or bad in the week... the thing to keep in mind and consider is that the week has and did and does continue to fold out exactly as meant to be.


This week I decided to focus on a question that tends to come around quite a bit clinically. Usually it is attached to a whine or lament-> "Why me?" For we are the centre of that universe that we call us that encompasses a sun of various appearances and many, many planets. Depending on the individual, the sun (or suns) usually define around Us, Ego or Spirituality or an Other planet. Any of these are planets in and of themselves, but what of the centre core and being of OUR existence? I think that some people may ascribe to having Pluto at their core, but lets not go there- either the buddy of Goofy or a cold uninhabited ice sphere...


"Why me?" is so integral and central in fact to survival and existence as it is a reality check, a way to ensure we are surviving and moving along and either a pathetic whine or a term of self reflection. Lets talk about those people that use these questions as a form of self reflection. These are the inspired ones, the crazy ones... the ones with the square pegs in the round holes. But they are often visionaries and gentle, spiritual and loving souls. I am so fortunate to know many of these people and they are not rooted in the here and now of stuff, but engaged in a dialogue with the Universe. That they accept with equanimity what transpires and then use that to help others, makes them heroes on this rolling blue marble.


These are the ones that Lightening sadly seems to attract... as they have their feet in the water, head in the air and may be perceived to be "poorly grounded". Now that last bit is a scoietally driven spin on the whole matter as I actually find that these people are the most grounded, and serve as a conduit for some pretty bright flashes on inspiration, but ones that may send a non inspired, non-lightning rod person to the morgue. Ouch.. seeya baby, dont write.

People that are rooted in Other vs themselves and in spirituality vs dry dogmas tend to gravitate to the ring around the sun and a position of catching some pretty sweet waves. But it does and may happen again. How many prophets have we NOT heard about in the Bible that went on a 40 day magical mystery tour and had their minds fried? How many miracles unsung? There is so much that exists all around us. And interestingly, like in this case DOES attract like in my experience, totally counter to the rules of magnetism. People that are these divining rods of lightning in their darkest hours attract others of the same spirit and capacity to help prevent shorts and destruction of their grid. These saviours that help us are our grounders, yet also have the ability to attract the power from the sky. They understand and have been there.


So, before you ask the question "Why me?", perhaps we should look to the fact that it is as meant to be, be at ease with that and the untapped skills we have. Perhapsby touching those skills, eventually and at ease in this moment you may be yourself, often.

---  Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure     June 2012 

Perceptions defining conceptual reality

Perceptions defining conceptual reality


Original Found: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/2012.06.01_arch.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this weeks installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time where may be able to look at the transpirations and transgressions of the week, sit down and try to come to either sense and/or peace with the events. So much goes on in this very busy world that all too often people are not gentle with themselves or others and there tends to expose roots through events that perhaps we do not wish to see. We can see tragedy in the event or a chance for hope or learnings. All depends on the position and desire and intelligence and insight of the person who is mapping out the elephant in the room!

Happy June my friends!

Last week on Blog Talk radio I was able to address some of the spirituality components of a purpose driven life and what we should look for in life and the mindfulness of the moments that we are to be able to capture and relish along the way. The general concepts of the here and now and now and later as relating to the spiritual and prayer based pinnacle of the pyramid that we have looked at the past 4 weeks. If anyone is interested, the bases of the pyramid were mindfulness, reflection, altruistic giving that allowed a person to grow and develop into a spirit based person, which we truly are having a human experience. Due to family urgencies, I wasnt able to post last week and thank you all for the thoughts, understandings and prayers that came along.

This week we will look at where this takes us and the incredible journey that we have unconsciously been on for millennium and will continue to progress down. It is not the man or woman that defines the situation, but rather the obverse. What do you do with good and bad news? Sadly, I believe we squander both the positives and negatives as often the positives are bound to be our right and expectation. (Insert shudder here) and the bad situations are as a result of bad luck. (See previous parenthesis) But what have you done in the situation to conspire against the spiritual and thus the environmental health of the particular situation? IN my experience, people were often incongruous versus their thoughts and actions and especially their speech. In fact, it can be observed to be a triangle or menage-a-trois of deceit and lies. Sad isnt it? And then people get into their BMW (Biatchy, Moany, Whiny) mobile and truck their disaster to the next willing person that will empathise. Sigh.

We perceive the world is against us creating physical and psychiatric and somatic symptoms that self propagates. Or we perceive the world is unfair because one has been afflicted by a negative psychiatric or medical condition. While I fully agree and personally know how devastating that is, it is WHAT WE DO and our subsequent actions and congruency that will define health. Put your money where your mouth is and say it, feel it, act it and believe it! It actually is that easy when you realize there is a Divine plan and if we can connect with that, there is comfort and being at ease with the moment. It is also a form of inspiration to others. People will flock to you to help (and it always seems to be the right people, interestingly) vs abandon you. However, if you take Communion on Sunday and act negative the next day and then feel victimized the 3rd day with blasphemy and actions contradictory to the Sunday piousness... that is hypocrisy. In my observations across the past 42 years, hypocrisy always loses. Integrity does win and good overcomes evil, although there is a seesaw and some days it doesnt pay it feels to chew through the restraints.

Yet we must continue to practice with our thoughts and belief systems. Why? That will define our peceptions and awareness of the situation around us. And my friend, that WILL begat your reality. Hard choices, hard thoughts but the opportunity to save just one live, and that is yours. Once that is done, only then can we truly be good and help one other person. To see that one other person helping 1 other is one of the most rewarding gifts that I have been given in my life. And I feel that gratitude. It is not about BMW, wins, title, position etc... but about what you do with your live and to hold your head high, even in the face of adversity.

Im still learning...we all are. And what an incredible gift to be in the moment, knowing its exactly as meant to be and believe and be at ease with that and that gift is allowing yourself to be yourself, often.

 ~~ Rev. Dr. Joel Lamoure    June 2012

Heroes and Heroines of the Fourth Cornerstone

Greetings my gentle readers to the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. A time when we can sit down with ourselves and our reflective thoughts and mind interfacing with matter.

Over the past 3 weeks (with the exception of the week I took off to be in Copenhagen), we have taken a look at the perfect, parfait driven live from the cornerstones and ultimate pinnacle of a pyramid. In God we trust, with the All-Seeing eye on the obverse of the American $1 bill. But this is the pyramid symbolic of personal and strength that we are reflecting up. The 4 bases of this pyramid will be the Mindfulness, Reflection, Gratitude and Altruistic giving with the pinnacle representing Prayer/Spirituality.

As we have learned, the main 2 cornerstones and anchors of the pyramid that is the person in strength and humanities is mindfulness. That is being at one and connected and in the moment, appreciating all aspects of the moment.  That we are able to mirror also says so much and that reflection on the acts and also the root causes and etiologies of the action. Gratitude is the giving of thanks for what we are able to experience… and embraces both the positive and the negative. It is very hard to give thanks for the negatives when compared to the positives, yet they are needed.

Altruism is I feel the fourth corner of the square that denotes being able to have a life with depth and breadth. This is the corner that presents the most challenge in reflection and action, as it is the hardest to capture. While on the surface, it may appear simple that a person does an act without expecting anything in return; identifying the root motivation may make altruism greyer than we expected. 

For example, if a person does something nice to another and hope to simply advance their karmic positives, it would be hard pressed to really consider that altruism, even if it was meant as giving. Sadly, the thing that comes to my mind is the blatant hypocrisy that people go to church on Sunday and then slander someone through gossip or negative actions the rest of the week. That is like giving for karmic positives.

Indeed, I believe a more accurate depiction of altruism comes clearer when we look at actions across time. Why indeed must we expect something in return? For we know that that creates resentments and negatives often, which is on that slippery slope, swirling down the drain.

To get a real feel of altruism, I believe we need to look at examples where there is unconditional love and giving, with an intelligent concern for others and the ego-rat has stopped nibbling away at the base psyche. The examples I come up with are nature in its habitat, where everything is as it should be and the falling leaves begat life for the tree and that unending cycle. Such a perfect ecosystem, repeated over and over again at a macro and micro level.

A mothers’ love would b a close second and very much intertwined with the Mother that is Mother Nature that we have defined above. Even in times of challenge, when mankind is at their worst you hear real altruism. I know a wonderful person who was a young girl in Stalingrad in 1942. When the bombs were falling in the siege of Stalingrad, with the enemy at the gates, the mother by the grandmother covered the child. This is to me one of the most touching reflections of altruistic giving, and can be seen in the Madonna of Stalingrad, painted by a German Officer at Christmas 1942. I have seen and heard both sides of this picture, and they are humbling.

Down the linear (or circular) conceptualization of altruism is the unerring love and giving of pets and animals. Those that have been loved or abused yet are still dedicated and full of true love and giving. Despite the fact that we think we are superior, we as humans can learn a lot from animals. Any hero who has rescued a pet knows that.

And that leaves the concept of a hero. Those people with nothing to gain, lots to lose but stand on their belief systems and integrity.  We see them identified across the centuries and we know some of them from time to time if we are lucky to cross their paths. They speak with conviction and belief and want to advance what others can learn and do, even when there is no remuneration, rewards, gifts, accolades or titles. In my experience, they often have or are facing major health crises and yet always want to look after and give a positive word or thought or learning or just by being is an inspiration. Like the boundless love of an pet, the protective embrace of a mother or the seamless perfection of Nature, these people enter your life to be themselves. 

And if you have the courage to let them do what they do and listen and learn with the openness of a child with peace, patience, silence, humility and serenity… then their touch will I believe, impart a window of their magic to you. And know that maybe you too can be a hero to someone someday.

Can you imagine and then to see and know and resonate and feel that you can be yourself, often

--- Rev. Dr Joel Lamoure     May 2012 

Gratitude-The Third Element of the Pyramid

Greetings my very gentle readers to this week's installment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. Ah yes, a time to look at the metaphysical moments of the day and all the blessings that we have that cannot be bottled or ingested, but appreciated and loved.
Over the past 2 weeks (with the exception of the week I took off to be in Copenhagen), we have taken a look at the perfect, parfait driven live from the cornerstones and ultimate pinnacle of a pyramid. In God we Trust, with the All-Seeing eye on the obverse of the American $1 bill. But this is the pyramid symbolic of personal and strength that we are reflecting up. The 4 bases of this pyramid will be the Mindfulness, Reflection, Gratitude and Altruistic giving with the pinnacle representing Prayer/Spirituality.
As we have learned, the main cornerstone and anchor of the pyramid that is us in strength and humanities is mindfulness. That is being at one and connected and in the moment, appreciating all aspects of the moment. Its so very hard to fill ourselves with crap and fear and anxieties when all of our efforts are rooted in the flower in front of it! And of course, right beside that beautiful rooted flower is the anchor of reflection. Ah, so many sights, colours, flavours and anything that titillates and impacts on our five senses with imprint a reaction on us. That is part of reflection. Reflection is inwardly or outwardly. Sadly for many, it is often cowardly... and the glass is distorted or a true image is never obtained. It reflects a world of delusions within illusions.
If we are truly aware and feel with all of our sense what we are doing and how we are doing it and for what cause and see it to be good, then that inherently will create the third component of the triangle. That is gratitude. In and of themselves, a pyramid is comprised of the three dimensions of three triangles with a solid square at the base. This square allows the pyramid to gain height, stability and structure. Yet within the structure lies the trinity. The number 3 is mystical and often found in cultures around the world, and links into the concepts of theology.
So, to round out this triangle, we look to and appreciate gratitude. And truly what better day than today to express such, than Mothers Day? Almost seems like my agent had these steps conceptualized perfect! Have to swing them a bonus! A triangle with no third point is a plain ole line. Boring. No third dimension and flat as the Earth was 600 years ago (except to the inspired- and they were called crazy-> Ah, thats a story on the insanity of the sanity for another day). Gratitude means that we can take the moments that we have mindfully appreciated and reflected on how well they fit in the the story of a life that we are writing word by word, page by page and chapter by chapter and FEEL it with thanks.
Gratitude means that we take the good and the bad, positive and sad, yin and the yang and see it in the incredible harmony that it is. Gratitude is realizing that everything happens for a reason and appreciating that it has happened and has added to the complement that is us. We tend to apply gratitude to the tangible gifts that come in life and cover those said gifts. The more expensive, the more the gratitude. The better the date, the more likely to have (ahem) fun time at the end of it. That is the most screwed up concept of gratitude I have heard of, yet it defines our society.
Maybe, just maybe yet again the societal driven way is a perversion of what we should really do and feel and have. We already discussed honesty, integrity, being a kid and putting together things that may normally done in a "proper" concept; up can be fun, overcome dis-ease and thus disease and more. So why not gratitude as well? Im more grateful for a $100 gift than a $1 gift? Because it means more? Is that not a societal driven expectation from the men in the blue pinstripe suits? I had to work harder, lose more of life to make more money to get more gratitude? Whacked.
Lets try a gratitude of actions and appreciation instead. That we feel at ease with what happens, and even when life takes a turn you didnt expect, we are mindful of that, reflect what it will mean and do and fit in with the moment and then hive thanks. The thanks is gratitude. The best gifts in life come through kindness and actions. Maybe thats why Mothers Day is so valuable and moms mean so much and its easy to give thanks and gratitude for your mother... all that they have given, given up and sacrificed when we reflect has made us part of who we are. We know the love of a mother and even if there were bad times and days, we must remember that they are human, but they do put their babies first. I give thanks for the mom I had as she gave everything, even when there was nothing. That is love...an intelligent concern for others.
Want gratitude? Be grateful for the miracle that is you first and all the miracles that exist in the moment about you. Get over yourself and the ego driven concept of self importance and know exactly where you fit into the big blue marble. Appreciate the flowers, earth, sky, wind, fire, water and life that is in such abundance about you. Gratitude for the colours, sight, sound and ability to communicate. That you are not trapped in a mind with demons and cant see, or communicate that hell you are in. To see that (and I know a person like that, deaf/mute/ blind and suffering :( ) helps you put everything in perspective.
Why are some grateful for small wonders and that begats happiness while those in mansions with millions are in personal agony and suffer? This is perspective and perspective defines reality. Perspective is in large part gratitude.
Be at ease with the surroundings you are in and at ease my gentle friends. Appreciate and give thanks that you are a miracle, surrounded my miracles, for then you shall see and be yourself, often.

  --- Rev. Dr Joel Lamoure    May 2012   (Mothers Day)

Reflecting the 2D Image of the 3D Cornerstone of Reflection

Greetings my gentle readers to another week's instalment of the "Be Yourself, Often" blog. A time when we can all stop and reflect on ourselves, our interface with others and nature and the big blue marble that we call earth, plus the heavens and all things good in between. There are so many aspects that we can stop and look at like we discussed last week in mindfulness, but what do they mean to us through Reflecting? Do we take our red door and paint it black? (Rolling Stones)

No matter what we do it has an association with us. It may be a sepia tinged memory of a song or taste or something that has stated ina  way that we must be. There are so very many lenses and filters that we reflect with. Awareness of those filters is key.  There are the 4 cornerstones to the pyramid and right beside mindfulness comes reflection. Or if you perfect, the scond layer of our 5 layer parfait!

This week let us take a look at stopping and reflecting. Reflections. These are mirrored back if the surface that is creating the reflection is good and true. Small ripples or aberrations in the reflecting source will cause a corresponding change in what is seen. Awareness through us, our society and our value system will help us determine the pain or validity of what we see and feel. There are inward and outward reflections. These are often driven and impacted by our personal, cultureal and as stated ego driven or societal expectations. But really, why should things be assigned different values? What really is big vs small if you take away the societal filter? Should not there be equanimity in the world of person, plant, animal and mineral and equality?

Perhaps filters and reflections can actually be made stronger through our acts of mindfulness and beinga ble and aware, plus WILLING to step outside of the box? Match two things together that perhaps are never usually matches and then see the feelings through mindfulness. Reflect on the days and experiences past through reflection.  

So...let us reflect on actually how we reflect and when we do, what is the filter or surface that mirrors the reflections back to us. We know that the tincture of time tends to heal things and adds a reflective filter of sepia that we consider to be nostalgia. There are more sinister, yet hidden reflective surfaces. One is that of self delusions and the other that of self preservations. Both of these surfaces or filters are inherently what I would call an "Ego-Filter" and as such the reflection that is considered is one of fallacy as it is created to enact and preserve one's own objectives, even at the cost of others. These forms of reflections often come across as gross hypocrisy to then informed and mindless pandering to the general population and wise expressions of insincerity to the uniformed mindless ones who are not able to reflect on their own. In my experience, the latter category people are more worries by people that I call "Boobs Cubed". The body fixated ones, the TV type (immersed with their shows and fashion) and the blunder (self-image) type.... all self (and false)- idoltry. That is a reflection of delusion sadly. Expectations and filters are set in a way that cannot be collected.

What we need to REALLY do is to look at HOW we reflect and our meditative patterns that create that patterns. It should be in line with reality, as easy as that. And sometimes those reflections and corresponding honesty and truth hurt. I know that from experience. The ego-centric "all important ME" takes over and defends, cajoles and then pummels into submission those that dont reflect the way we want. "Tell the Truth"- you cant handle the truth unless you are able to SEE it my gentle friends!
So, how do we gain this clarity of filter? By example. By practice. By a fearless acceptance of the truth. By listening. By self-reflection and honesty. Our closest friends are the ones that can give us the clarity of honesty and allow us to see our filtering system as it really is. By mindful reflection, we can actually FEEL and be at ease in the head, heart and gut if what we are thinking is indeed accurate. Children and their thoughts and play and perceptions in youth is pure and they speak that of wisdom in honesty. They appreciate the beautiful sounds and such for what they are, not what they see, or even worse are TOLD to see.

To filter through a defective filter is to get an altered image.  I love the idea of a polished reflective filter that is within and without. That I am able to look at myself and have others look at me in the same way and through fairness. That sepia toned as discussed above can give some incredible memories and reflect on the days gone by and when willing to fearlessly use that information can reflect on a bright promise and future of Light and prosperity. Cross reflections here with some matching of mirroring filters and reflective moments with fun along the way, stepping away from the dictates and demands of the 2D that is out there all the time in society with a 3D bent to it. What the heck, what lies BEYOND that wall if we wish to hunt? I believe this will allow me to be good to myself and others. Join the filter polishers and be yourself, often

--- Rev Dr. Joel Lamoure    May 2012

Cornerstones in the Parfait/Pyramid of Life: Mindfulness

From: http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id43.html

Greetings my gentle readers to this week’s installment of the “Be Yourself, Often” blog. This is a chance for all of us to sit down and mindfully and with gratitude (yes gratitude, even if the week sucked) on the week that has past us, never to return. Where we can capture in reflection even if we didnt get it and the signposts the first time around, the moments that were indeed, “The Days of our Lives”.

We started to discuss last week the concept of a Parfait driven life. Not the sort where you fill up with yogurt and fruit and whipped cream and all that good stuff (although you sure can make one if you want and then come back and read this with a good cup of strong coffee). I wanted to look at each of these 5 components and ingredients of a parfait driven life. Mindfulness, Reflection, Gratitude, Prayer/Spirituality and Altruistic giving. Along the way, we will share exercises and break bread and have a wonderful collaborative and giving/ sharing experience! Feel free to email me at rev.joel@live.ca if there are any particular stories or perspectives YOU would like to share over the next 5 entries!

Mindfulness is the one that I placed at the corner stone of the equation. In fact, all 5 are cornerstones creating what I conceptualize to be a pyramid. Ther 4 bases of this pyramid will be the Mindfulness, Reflection, Gratitude and Altruistic giving with the pinnacle representing Prayer/Spirituality.

“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Mindfulness in large being is a state of mind and conscious. That the patient becomes aware of the rationale for the actions that they are performing. An example would be in substance abuse for a patient in recovery. When the feel the urge to use or misuse their substance of choice, they are encouraged to be aware of the thoughts and dynamics behind the craving. Also, to “play the tape” through and ascertain what would happen if indeed they were to use again. This could be applied to eating, anxieties or PTSD flare-ups. It is also the act of being focused in the present, versus living in the past or anticipating events in the future.



Why is mindfulness so important and what does it mean though, in the context of life and ourselves? Can we take the concepts of dreaming a dream and manifest those dreams into reality. I know that a couple weeks ago that I compared Harry Chapin’s line from Sequel that goes “Its better some times, when we don’t get to touch our dreams”. What denotes that dream and how can we make that dream reality? As an educator, to see a dream become reality is to set a clear goal, hope or aspiration and then to make the conscious steps to make it happen. That is as such lies the challenge as people in Western society I find expect things better, faster and yesterday. 30 minutes or free. Take a pill to cure your ailments. I know I have touched on the culture of entitlement many times and I assure you that is not the way to live the dreams. Not the way to dream a dream. Living the dream is something you have to make a stand in and believe in. Whether right or wrong, it is your belief system, and really who is the judge that your belief system is wrong? To expect things to be handed to you in a flash or the past to go away in a heartbeat is irrational. If you can’t stand up for what you believe in, how do you expect to achieve it? Entitlement breeds resentments. Guaranteed. Hurts yourself and others and the great wheel of samsara and karma enter into a vicious circle.

Want to dream the dream? Mindfulness. The power to live in the moment and appreciate every step along the way. Its about the wins and the losses in equal measure. I have written before that courage is using your weaknesses and challenges to help others and still believe in that definition. Thats what Harry Chapin I feel wrote about, that maybe the dream isn’t worth it if we can’t appreciate the blessings that we have in the moment and practice mindfulness. Because the dream without belief, work and appreciating the journey is emptier. Its the expression that goes “rushing though each thing to get to the next”. Never any satisfaction. Each milestone pro or con isn’t appreciated as such.

So to live the dream and dream the dream, set a destination, get a good compass and appreciate the moments of the journey, being prepared to alter the destination as the signposts of the day dictate and tell you. That all ties into our past few weeks aviations discussions through the months of March and early April. To dream a dream is to express, live and feel and embrace our individuality, and THAT is to be mindfulful of what and who we are and what we do and say and express and convery. How do YOU let the light shine? Mindfulness is appreciating the statement that says “Everything happens for a reason”, coupled with “Each snowflake falls in a perfect place” couple with “A good explanation doesnt explain everything”.

Mindfulness is looking with acceptance and awareness of the incredible beauty about you and how it so perfectly interfaces outside the the ego-centric goal driven lives that we have, especially in Western culture. Mindfulness is then being at one with that moment vs the chaotic canstant abstrasion that we exist upon and within in every moment and being at ease with that moment and its relevant beauty and context. To be in context means to be at ease, because the opposite is to exist out of context which permeates through the body like a cancer and sadly makes and causes us dis-ease and that results in disease. And even more sadly, it is contagious if you are not mindful of the feelings and emotions.

Let us look at events, moments, people, animals, plants and minerals with love and be at ease with them… open your eyes, remove the scales from them and approach the cosmos with the open arms and eagerness of a child. For only then can you be yourself, often.

— Rev. Dr Joel Lamoure April 2012