My Memory of an Experience
July 9, 2021
A leaf flutters slowly to the ground. I am immediately mesmerized within its gentle beauty.
Enclosed is my memory of an experience I had at about the age of 4. It was before I started primary
school at age 5 yrs. where I often had moments where I would just sit surrounded by nature. I
would spend many hours just wandering the vacant fields opposite my house on the outskirts of
town. It was at the foothills of a mountain and gave me great pleasure to seek further the
wonderment of nature. I would look at flowers so closely as if viewing them under a microscope, and
I learned the strength of one blade of grass and the displayed unity of an ant colony. I learned much
more from my experiences with nature than any book. However, it ignited a curiosity within me – a
huge desire to learn more and so at the age of 9 I was saving threepence from my lunch money to
buy ‘how and why books”. The first was about science with a few experiments (which I practiced in
mum’s kitchen to her disgust), then came the “solar system”, “the human body” and “reptiles”. I
saw the world different to my peers and would rather go for a bike ride along country roads then sit
and ponder the landscape, than to go to friends’ places. They were not interested in my preferred
topics of discussion. I also later observed that I had intuition although there was not a name for it
then. I could read between the lines and was quick to sum up the truth. I got scolded many times
and was called stupid because my class grades weren’t as high as my sisters. I bought flower seeds
and saved seeds from pumpkins to watch them grow. I was happiest outdoors, alone to allow my
mind to meander at its will. I hid my books and opinions in fear of reprimand.
We would attend Sunday school and church every Sunday. I was not impressed by the hypocrisy that
was acted out by some people. They would be nice to you at church but gossip behind your back
However I began to realise that my prayers were being answered and I wondered how this could be.
It began a search of religion and the powers at large. Here is that memory of that experience as me
becoming the leaf .
A leaf flutters slowly to the ground. I am immediately mesmerized within its gentle beauty.
My eyes follow it as it takes position upon the grass. It rests for a while, waiting patiently for
a wisp of air to define its direction. I feel the air upon my face, as if answering to the call.
The leaf shudders in preparation. It holds its ground as the wind increases in velocity. I too
feel the wind as it pushes ever so gently against my body. Release, release and surrender,
echoes within my mind. Force begins to operate. Surrender will hold the key. Then as if by
either demand or desire, the wind increases in velocity. The battle has begun. I can see the
veins in the leaf as determination assists desire. I feel the rigidity flowing through the veins of
my body. The will to surrender is strong, but fear holds its ground. We have a choice to
continue the battle with equal force and will, or surrender the force, and continue the battle
with the presence of now, where knowledge can define each moment as it arrives. One more
movement could mean fly or die. It is scary, like stepping out on a limb, and I feel the wind
push at the side of my body once more. To take flight with surrender of will is gaining
ground. My will is relinquished. Thy will operates. The leaf takes flight and so do I. Fear
turns to pleasure as I relax the fight and go with the flow of the wind. I feel its strength
beneath my wings, as it gently carries me in its safe arms, to and fro, higher and higher. This
is freedom. This is the experience of going with the flow. This is allowance. This is thy will,
not my will. All we must do is have faith and trust that all will be for the betterment of all
things. Surrendering my will holds the key.
This was to become the first of many other numerous experiences throughout my life. There
was something different about me, but as yet this was not fully understood or realized. It was
the beginning of a journey of self-development and self-discovery, which would lead me to
understanding of how existence operates, and the importance of unconditional love that
unifies rather than destroys. I believe this was my chosen reason of why my soul came to
manifest into this body, this vehicle, at this particular time. It was there from the onset of my
birth. However, it took most of my life to realize this. There were lessons to be learned, and
experiences to inform of the greater meaning of life. It is no accident. It is intended by a
force much greater, and more profound. It rules the universal law of which man has no
control over. It is the holy- grail of which man will forever seek, yet possibly never attain. It
is the unexplainable creation of something, somewhere, or maybe someone. It is the life-force
that permeates all of existence. Yet what is life-force, and what chooses the direction of life-
force? I was only a child, alone in my imagination.
JC Burnett
What is meditation?
• It is a way to relax the mind and to be free of stress or anxiety.
• It can lower blood pressure and heart rate, while calming the mind
• It is done by focusing your attention on one thing deeply and intentionally
• Meditation is a deeper form of mindfulness to achieve a calm relaxed yet alert state of mind.
Be like the little blade of grass who stands straight and tall stretching as high as it can, pointing to the sky, aiming forever upwards, not bending, always remaining strong. You can blow it, mow it, dig it, poison it, and it still returns, never giving up. The wind can blow, and it simply bends with the wind. It doesn’t break It goes with the flow, accepting all within its path. It endures all storms with knowledge that tomorrow is a new day, when the sun will shine again and the nutrient from the rain will enhance its growth to be bigger and stronger. It is strong yet flexible, going with the flow of whatever comes its way, waiting, feeling, bending and stooping, changing direction to follow the direction of the wind, enduring all for the sake of others. It has a task to fulfill of the preservation of life. When all the struggle has passed, it stands straight and tall again, prepared for the next event, always prepared with faith and acceptance that it will overcome. The little blade of grass knows its direction. It is firm in its belief of the task ahead and is steadfast in its commitment to do the job it was intended to do, knowing the importance and responsibility its survival means to all within its environment. It offers its life for the benefit of others without judgement or query, never with fear of the future or resentment of the past. It is meek and mild of attitude, not comparing itself to the flowers or any others of seeming greater beauty. It understands the lack of interest it receives, but this does not deter it from its mission. Its knowingness and understanding allows faith to be the driver of its existence. It continues without question, continually repeating the task over and over without fail, withstanding all for the benefit of mankind and the planet, offering itself as food, comfort and protection. Be like the little blade of grass and adopt its same attitude with respect of our own existence and our responsibility to mankind and our planet. Obstacles are opportunities to learn and grow. Use them wisely. Always aiming for the highest, reaching for the stars with faith and belief that all will be well for all concerned. This is the true essence of unconditional love only way
No one else can tell you your purpose. You need to look inside and find it for yourself.
Firstly, you need to find your passion. Try sitting for a while to reflect and consider your childhood.
Even at a young age, there would have been things that identified your adult characteristics.
For example – did you love animals more than your peers?
Did you prefer classical music to modern pop music?
Did you feel sad or angry when you saw a friend or foe suffer?
What stirred your emotions -What made you feel sad or angry or very happy?
What things do you enjoy or despise talking about?
What did you enjoy reading or listening to?
What are your opinions and values?
What are your dreams and aspirations?
Ask someone you trust for an honest opinion of you so that you can learn more about yourself.
This assists you to determine what needs to be altered and worked on. Negative traits
It means to follow your passion and to have done something about it- to make a difference and to have led an abundant, healthy, happy life, being the best version of yourself.
Even people of great wealth have found their greatest pleasure in doing good for others.
Some have found great wealth when they concentrated on doing what they felt passionate about, albeit not their first career choice
Some people believe that finding your purpose in life is more important than anything else.
Some believe it assists our emotional and physical health and wellbeing.
Some believe it can drive our confidence and daily happiness.
Finding life purpose can give us a feeling of fulfilment that our life was worthwhile-it had meaning and purpose.
Believe me that in later life there is no greater feeling than to know your life was one of having a purpose.