The power of kindness to Yourself

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.

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.

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