Village Lifestyles Blog

By Nathalie Jackson

So I've been sitting here contemplating the current situation in our Canadian political scene and it seems rather humorous to me. When the rest of the world is experiencing terrorism, tribal warfare, and violence en-mass when it comes to politics, Canadians are dealing with their current dysfunctional relationships in a violence-free, almost childlike playground kind of way. I am grateful for the fact that this is, in fact, as violent as Canadians tend to get when it comes to politics.

Now that I've had my morning chuckle, I am reminded to step into the "Truth" and observe this situation from a deeper knowing and perspective. So I ask myself when have I felt separate from another lately? What situations in my life have driven me to want to push the eject button on a relationship, instead of working it out. The whole process of working it out I know involves a lot of self work. It requires that I look at my issues and admit to my failings and weaknesses. It may even mean that I look at self-worth issues. Am I worthy of keeping this relationship going?

So where it's easy to sit and discuss all the misgivings of our country's politicians, I challenge you instead to ask yourself what relationships in your life need mending? What needs tender loving care at this time? Where have you neglected to honor your self worth and the self worth of another? How in your life do you feel separate from another?

And let us know together that we can join as One to mend an economy. We can recognize the gifts in each and every person we encounter and honor the God in them. We can heal our lives, our country and our world.

Posted in: on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at at 12:14 PM 0 comments    

By Enid Dufresne

I profess to be a patient person and for the most part I am. I am patient when my children are telling me a very, very detailed story about their day. I'm patient when I am listening to my clients tell me the details of their lives. I'm patient when my dog needs to pee of every post we pass on our run. I'm even a patient driver during the most hectic rush hour traffic. And then there are times when I am very impatient.

I'm impatient when I have to wait for my husband to complete his errands in "his own way". I'm impatient with myself when I say I'm going to do something and then I don't complete it in the way I intended. And I'm most impatient when waiting for my "wish list" to the Universe to manifest.

I've become aware that when I'm patient it is because I expect to wait in these situations. When I'm impatient it is because I expect these situations to flow in the time frame that I've decided works for me. Deepak Chopra has a new book "Why is God Laughing" and I'm pretty sure the answer is because Enid Dufresne-Dario thinks she knows how and when her plans should manifest. (And because she speaks in third person).

I know I'm not alone in this "I've got the plan all figured out, God" affliction. I hear it from my friends, my family, my husband, my colleagues and even my clients. But how did we get here? Is it part of this new consciousness we are ushering in? Or is it because we in the Western part of the world have come to expect instant everything. In one short life-cycle we have gone from lamp-lights to solar lights and from horse and buggy to airplanes and automobiles. I think because of this unbelievably rapid progress, which seems to have set the pace of our times, many of us think we should apply this same accelerated speed to the Spiritual unfoldment of our lives. I'm contemplating, "Why the need for speed?" when quite often I end up hurrying up to wait. In fact, when I do surrender to the Universe's schedule and just carry on life as usual, amazing results come to be.

This past June I was in a situation where my daughter Kassie decided she did not want to return to the alternative school she was attending. A short time after this I was attending an ESAGE (Edmontonians supporting a green economy) meeting where I ran into my dear friend Terra. She began to tell me about this awesome learning system called "Wonder Tree". She mentioned that the gentlemen who had started the program had written a book about it and in fact she had just given the book to another friend Casey Doss. The next day I googled Wonder Tree (because I'm the google queen). I shared the info with my business partner Nathalie and we discussed how awesome it would be if our kids could attend something like this. Fast forward to the end of August and both Nathalie and I are attending another ESAGE meeting and who do we run into? Casey Doss. We strike up a conversation with her asking what she is doing in the fall and she mentions that she is not returning as a teacher to the public school system. We ask her about the Wonder Tree program and she says it would be a dream come true to be a part of a program like that. Long story short, and many synchronicities later, our kids are now attending an amazing program called T.R.U.S.T. ran by our beloved Casey. Nathalie and I literally did not do a thing except plant the seeds that we would love a school like Wonder Tree for our kids. We allowed the seeds to germinate and grow and when the Universe revealed the time for harvest we took action and picked the fruit - how sweet it is!

I truly was not worried or fearful about Kassie's school future. I knew something was going to work out. I'm also clear that if I had tried to make something happen back in June, Kassie would not be attending this new learning centre. I would have sabotaged yet another of Spirit's plans for me or at the least slowed it down. How many times have I continued to slow down my own progress. Rev. Michael Beckwith says that if we are not experiencing all the joy, love, abundance and freedom we want in life, it is only because we are mentally and physically blocking our own good. No Wonder I'm exhausted!! It takes a great deal of energy to fight the whole Universe.

As I write this article I have made a committment to myself to get the H*## out of my own way. I will allow the brilliance of the Universe to design the plan for my desires and I shall wait in great anticipation and curiosity as to how, when and where they will show up. And even more than this, I shall wait in the grace of gratitude to be showered with my blessings and I shall be Thanks-giving.

Posted in: on at at 11:32 AM 0 comments    

By Enid Dufresne

What is it that is holding you back from living the life of your dreams? Could it be possible that you have a practice in the art of "But"? You know the ones, "but, I don't have the money"; "but, I don't know the right people"; "but, I'm too fat"; "but, I'm too old/young". The list of "Buts" can go on and on. If you are currently carrying the weight of years of "buts" you may be experiencing a discouraging outcome of lack in all areas of your life. The higher you climb, the lighter your load must become or eventually the weight you are carrying will prevent you from reaching the top. I maintain that you don't have to continue carrying the load of 'buts' and all of their cousins named 'could have', 'should have' and 'someday I will'. If your grander possibilities are to come alive in 2009, you've got to get rid of the 'buts'.

Follow these five steps to get off your 'but'.

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT
Be firm in your decision to have it. Place reminders all around you that will keep you focused on the decision you have made. This includes surrounding yourself with people who support you in the goals you have set for yourself. More importantly, support yourself by making choices that will get you where you want to go.

BE RECEPTIVE AND OPEN
There are a number of ways that the possibility you are creating for yourself can come true. I encourage you to get a big dream. On a sheet of paper, list the many ways that your goal or possibility can be realised. It doesn't matter how outrageous or far-fetched the ideas appear; write them down. This simple exercise pulls your ideas from the invisible realm of thought and solidify the idea into written form.

BE ENCOURAGED
Encourage yourself by reviewing your written list every day. Instead of focusing on what may not happen or reverting to your 'but', think of one thing on your list that you can begin to act on today. Encourage yourself by looking at what you have already accomplished, no matter how small that accomplishment appears to be. Remember the proverb by Lao-tzu that says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

BE THANKFUL
Give thanks for the courage to move towards the new life you are creating. When you feel like you are 'off course' and moving away from your dream, encourage yourself by reviewing your list of accomplishments. As you look over your list, give thanks for the good that has already taken place as a result of your decision to change your life. Never forget that thanksgiving is your secret power of increase.
BE SILENT
Do not share your life plans with those who can't "Know" it for you.. Remember, people who can't see where they are going in life, can never see where you want to go. In fact, such persons may talk you out of the plans you have made. Be silent and do whatever is before you. Validation from others is not necessary. Once you decide to do a thing, DO IT. After all, it is your dream and only you can make it come true.
There is plenty of time to get clear about what you want in '09. Get your 'but' in order and let your possibility come alive in 2009.

Posted in: on at at 11:30 AM 2 comments    

by Nathalie Jackson

With the recent events of the attacks in Mumbai, India, we are guided to report the (k)news from a new consciousness perspective. This (K)news has hit close to home as one of our Village members was born in Mumbai and is still closely linked to that community.

Let us take a moment to go within and know the Truth about this situation. What we know is that everyone suffers in such situations. There is pain in the hearts of the victimizers as well as the victims.

Taking that one step further we know that we are all one and what this translates to in such dramatic expressions of humanity is that a part of me is feeling intense outrage in this very moment. A part of me has the desire to attack and lash out at others. A part of me feels compelled to take the life of another human being.

For true healing to emerge, forgiveness must begin with me. Let us take a moment to send a wave of love over the seas, knowing that consciousness surpasses all technology and reaches those in pain instantaneously.

Let us also forgive ourselves for the parts within us that are expressing hatred and anger and destruction.

I know that all is well within me and I open my heart to forgiveness. I am sorry for the pain I have caused. Please forgive me. Thank-you…

Posted in: on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at at 12:32 PM 0 comments    

Following James Twyman’s message in The Moses Code, I’ve been exploring the depths of the meaning of I Am That, I Am. As images, thoughts, sights and sounds enter my experience, I’ve been learning to feel the beingness of that image, that sound. In meditation this morning I had one of those moments of profound insight. I saw volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and all other natural processes of Earth cleansing and then I knew. I AM THE EARTH. As her volcanoes erupt, the intense emotions in me are exploding, from the fires of passion to the fury of anger. As her tides crash into the shoreline, these are the waves of my human feelings that bring daily opportunities for learning. This incredible sadness wave pulsating through my body shows me where forgiveness is needed in my life. This next wave of frustration is pointing towards judgments I have not yet released and the areas in my life where I still feel separate from another human being.

My mind wanders now to the mountains and trees. In my physical body they are my strength, by backbone. They remind me once again of the importance of honoring my body temple, of practicing strength and suppleness. Yes, I AM the mountains today as my body responds lovingly to the yoga postures I guide it through. The life force energy running down my spine in this moment is the same life that flows through the trees, feeding the branches, nourishing the animals who seek shelter there. Yes I AM the trees.

An image of a cracked, desolate, lifeless desert comes to mind. How is this me, I wonder. As I imagine the deep crevasses tearing the land apart, the drought, the desire in the people, I am reminded of the deep hurt tearing the hearts of countless people apart. This land is my heart. If feels the impact of generations of conflict and strife. It yearns to feel unconditional love and forgiveness over its vast expanse. Now I imagine those deep crevasses mending and water flowing freely from the mountainside. All wars and tension in my own heart are healed now, as I see millions of people in countless war-torn villages, drop their swords and release the hurt of their fathers. I forgive now.

The word cyclone brings forth many images of destruction. The tumultuous spinning round and round of my thoughts, the millions of thoughts that pass like a torrent through my mind, bring disconnection to my life. At times I feel I am those thoughts, those beliefs. And then the chaos sets in. My life spirals like the cyclone trying to make sense of the thoughts and organize my life. I fail to realize that these very beliefs are so limiting, that they are holding me back from experiencing true joy in this moment. And then the stillness. The cyclone has subsided. The torrent diminishes. Oh yes, I think to myself, I am not my thoughts. My beliefs are but a trap devised by my ego to make me think that I am separate from another person. When in fact I am Source; I am Peace. The end of the cyclone is the end of that chaotic mind rant and now I remember who I really am.

Peace flourishes. Love endures. Stillness abounds.

Posted in: on Friday, November 21, 2008 at at 2:12 PM 1 comments    

~turn off your tv~
~leave your house~
~know your neighbors~
~greet people~
~look up when you're walking~
~sit on your front steps~
~plant flowers~
~use your library~
~play together~
~buy from local merchants~
~share what you have~
~help a lost dog~
~take children to the park~
~honour elders~
~support neighbourhood schools~
~fix it even if you didn't break it~
~have pot lucks~
~garden together~
~pick up litter~
~read stories aloud~
~dance in the street~
~talk to the mail carrier~
~listen to the birds~
~put up a swing~
~help someone carry something heavy~
~barter for your goods~
~start a tradition~
~ask a question~
~hire young people for odd jobs~
~organize a block party~
~bake extra and share~
~ask for help when you need it~
~receive help when it's given, abundantly
~open your shades~
~sing together~
~share your skills~
~take back the night~
~turn up the music~
~turn down the music~
~listen before you react to anger~
~mediate a conflict~
~seek to understand~
~learn from new and uncomfortable angles~
~know that no one is silent though many are not heard~
~work to change this~

Posted in: on at at 2:10 PM 0 comments    

I breathe in deeply, enjoying the refreshing, moist hot August evening. The full heat of summer energetically represents the time of year when our passions are alive, when we’re literally on fire with an inner desire to be all we can be. Do you know what your inner passion is? Stop and contemplate in silence for just one moment. What drives you? What is your life’s purpose? Why are you here?

As I am aware of all the projects and umpteen lists I have to complete this summer with the building of a new home, to running my business, to raising three young boys, I am also aware that the choices I make in every moment determine how joy-filled my journey is. I could choose to run around and try to get everything done so the house is ready, we can move in and then life will be peaceful and happy. And then I am gently reminded as a hawk flies overhead that my peaceful and happy place is here now. So I stop, sit on the swing with my son for an afternoon and watch him fall asleep. And magically, as if being directed by a glorious maestro, all my to-do’s get done with ease and grace.

In the midst of the chaos of everyday living, I experienced heaven as I watched my son swaying peacefully on the swing, in quiet slumber. So that is my wish for you today – that you stop and notice heaven right where you are in this moment. Isn’t it divine?

Posted in: on at at 2:09 PM 0 comments