We the consumed hereby swear to uphold the ugly truth, to turn a blind eye, and ensure the survival of the free marketplace to which we will become slave to,  believing in the false security that it will continue to support our best interests.

Psychology is a very big part of the markets that support and sustain us globally. As we speak, third world countries penetrated by war are being quickly introduced to the western market-driven principles of abundance as large corporate stakeholders establish new supply chains to support overseas troops.

Human weakness, vulnerability, naivety, these are the targets of the messages broadcast throughout our world media. Belonging, Equality, Respect, Personal Control, Sex, all things representing a sense of acceptance; people want so badly to ‘fit in’ and to feel accepted – belonging. To know and be known, the very foundation of the human experience.

Is it all bad? In many respects, no. We clothe, food, shelter, millions easily. Our global village has bridged the vastness of geography with the advance of technology. Instant communication, accessibility, are making more possible. The question remains, are we taking ownership of the responsibility of governance – self-governance? In this sense, our adult perspective must include a global self, to support the individual self.

Everywhere we turn, we see ‘make a difference’ plastered in advertising slogans. 2003-2004 this was nowhere to be seen in mainstream media, advertising, or business consciousness. It was taking root in individual consciousness though. When the criminal element catches the shifting wind, they incorporate a strategy without even giving due thought to the real need. The corporate goal is to survive the marketplace, to sell more, to make profit. People like you and I work there, and participate in these decisions.

When an opportunity presents itself to ‘be the change’ in our daily affairs, it can surpass our own personal world-view to become one that has a lasting and positive impact upon a larger whole: our community, now a growing global village, penetrated by a vast corporate infrastructure seeking more. War, politics, oil, power, and cash, are driving forces behind change.

In the movie, The Green Mile, the friendly giant says, “He killed them with their love. It’s like that everywhere. All over the world, they’re going kill each other with their love.’ Manipulation, selfishness, self-centredness, greed, power, control, security. What do you love? How do you wield your sabre and shield?

It isn’t all bad, and there are many who are influencing big change. It is important, however, to also remember that we are bombarded daily with messages intended to influence a direction for some agenda driven for money and politics. We have one simple thing to remember to do, and after a very mind-numbing and exhausting day at work, this is sometimes difficult for some or many to do: Remember to Think. Critically think, being conscious of what is behind the messages.

Question the stories of old, the beliefs that separate, the loyalties that bind. Humankind is meant to be free, to be creative, to grow and discover. During times of expansion in the physical, we see what we have now consumed and amassed globally. Some are terribly concerned about the impact we’re having on the environment, and others deny it. What messages of belief have we adopted?

Look under the skin of each of us, and we see flesh and blood, a pounding pulsating heart, and a complex network of wiring in a brain, and all of this is host to a consciousness similar to our own. So how different are we? Appearance, Education, Culture, Language, Religion, Beliefs, etc. How perfect are these influences?

The child is born, consciousness arrives, and data is input into the biological machine. Each generation, one after the other, handing down the same truth, time after time. Our progress is slow, as the intelligent ones grasp the reins of knowledge in order to advance individual goals without regard to a greater whole. Other intelligent ones also grasp the knowledge, and attempt to counter-balance, and our cycles of change arrive.

Remember, every culture has been affected by war. It was a very long, long time ago when it was discovered that war is the most efficient way to altar a culture, beliefs, and ideologies in an accelerated fashion. With the advance of technology, Culture can be spread more quickly, more readily, across the globe very powerfully and surpass the influence of war.

Our individual responsibility now bears more weight in the fight for what is good for all of humanity. Our voices can be heard. We can participate. For as long as we are aware, thinking, of what choices are being made in our name today. Keeping the Internet freely accessible, not giving up the influence to the power of corporations, remembering our influence and participation in these corporations, and that we are family.

We the consumed, have the ability to change the course of our history.

The Whole continues to grow and evolve, just as parts of the Whole grow and evolve, while other parts devolve. There exists both Ascending influences, just as there are Descending influences. As part of the Whole, Descending influences often times cease to exist, while Ascending influences continue to Create as part of the Whole.

In this same fashion, we can apply the same insight to the ebb and flow throughout all life, including the social animal, Human Being.

As we look at our cultures, again we see the same principles at work. We see it particularly as fashion, fads, patriarchy, matriarch, and so on.

Throughout the history of time this game has been played, and we see growth, advancement, and all the while, some of us watch in horror thinking it is worse than ever before. But is it?

For all the complaints and accusations I hear about homelessness, drug addicts, alcoholics, and so forth, I’m surprised there are so few complaints about landlords, dealers, growers/manufacturers,  and all the various businesses; many of whom are legitimate businesses. As long as there is a market to sustain a livelihood off the decaying compost of humanity, there will be a place of meagre enough comfort that allows the vermin to survive, and the pestilence to continue. (yes I’m having fun with this one)

The purpose of this article is not to condemn the homeless, addict, etc. It’s actually to inform you of another perspective on the situation. Here in Vancouver, I’ve often heard people express that this is a new problem, made worse since – in one example – 1986. Yet, more than a decade ago, studying British Columbia’s history, the trail of evidence is easily followed throughout the century as to just how much human slavery existed here. Not the usual kind of slavery mind you, something a little different. Nor is it anything new, here or anywhere else in the world.

British Columbia in its beginnings was a very isolated wilderness, and has been far longer than any other part of Canada. Yes, a port city, but even in that the channels open for ellicit goods to arrive, opium, alcohol, and … well, you get the point. We haven’t even touched on other social issues, and other external forces. Just recognize the trap.

The slavery of a peddler of such goods getting you hooked, helpless, and they make it easy, comfortable, by catering to your every weakness. You may not realize this, but they know the path to lead you upon so you’ll reach that slippery slope. Anyone who has been exposed to such neighbourhoods or people for any length of time recognizes this reality. Anyone with any bad habit they want to break knows that. Anyone with experience procrastinating, sleeping in an extra 20 minutes, or not eating that midnight snack, knows exactly what this slippery slope is like – how unsuspecting.

“It will never happen to me,” we say.

The history is here, and it will be a while before it is cleaned up. To say it is new, is to deny responsibility to do something about it. I realize it isn’t my personal problem, or your personal problem… it’s our personal problem. It’s something left-over from the less advanced, knowledgeable, civilized, human beings of an era gone past.

And we’re doing a fine job of leaving our own road kill on our way to our future. Some future form of humanity, I’m sure, will be scratching their heads and wondering why we have done many of the things we have done in our modern age. Just like we do about our ancestors, as we think we’re so much better than they ever were.

Aren’t we a funny bunch?

Playing Baloon
Originally uploaded by moriza

So much life conditioning inhibits the brilliance that is in you. Are you accessing all that is available to you? As a brilliant coach, as a creative person, as a brilliant human-being, as a brilliant spiritual being, as a bright light in the world, you have access to so much abundance. Are you living it? Are you breathing it? Are you believing it in every fibre of your being?

Or are you buying into the myth, the illusions? There are so many things aimed at people to help them build their lives and businesses; as though they are not enough themselves, as though the magic and mystery of existence were there to thwart your success. So far from the truth of the abundance available in the universe. It often shocks and surprises me to see this disturbing trend. Whatever the truths are, I’m here to say there is MORE!

Dismantle the illusions of safety, security, structures, that create a prison of expectation, necessity, and image. Get into the risk of playing in the mud, getting dirty, letting go and letting God, magic, Source, energy, creativity (whatever belief/name suits you). You had it happening once as a kid. Bring it alive again. Inside, you are yearning for it.

Get excited again about the adventure, this life. Get curious and playful with your day-to-day, with your business, with your home, relationships, and finances. If you resist and prefer safety, security, and rigidity, I’m curious:

• So how’s that working for you?
• Where are you still dissatisfied?
• What don’t you want to let go of?
• What’s it costing you?

These thoughts, while universal, really are inspired by the tragic scarcity demonstrated in the world.. Obviously it doesn’t affect everyone, but we do see some living in scarcity. This is a boost to those that do need it and a reminder to those of us who get it but are still human in our experience.

Finally, the night silence
greets my space and I sit
at my throned interface
to my online world

Innovate the click of the eye
Weaving the web divine
To experience possibilities
In the surreal Internet mind

© 2008 Lee Down

Everything experienced around you is a reflection of what is within. As I’ve endured, I’ve overcome. As I’ve overcome, I had to embrace. As I embraced, I integrate. As I integrate, I see the mirror more clearly. The more clearly I see, the more quickly I change. The more quickly I change, the more quickly I grow. Coming?

After spending a day with an intriguing personality, I quickly found myself disappointed as they departed taking my change of heart as a personal slight. This over-the-top reaction caused me to ponder the fictional stories I create in my own mind over the actions and decisions made by others. Were my assumptions really true? Most often, no.

Stories I make in my own mind are nothing more than unsubstantiated supposition. I share this simply as an observer noticing it unfold in front of me and realizing just how hard I’ve made the climb in my own life. The ability to create an adverse reality, to rail against others around me… and for what? So many lost opportunities.

I’ve said it a lot this past week – maybe even month – keep pushing through. It might just be you.

I really liked it.

Life is just one crazy adventure. Control what fires up inside, respond positively, remain always “at choice” and you are truly free. You are not bound to anyone. Pick and choose, have fun, no apologies. Human being Human. Love.

When one door closes, another one opens. This irritating metaphor is more true than I ever realized. Often I’d panic when I knew what I wanted or felt I needed wouldn’t be in place anymore. I’d struggle with the feelings. With practice, I was able to shift my thinking, focusing on also shifting the associated feelings, and show some optimism and excitement for the unknown next step. It must be good – how else could all this have already happened in my life if it were otherwise? I’m here.