…heartbeat
of the positive revolution
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Love is the Answer A recent survey asked which of the following were among my five top values: Unity, freedom, responsibility, equality, order, efficiency, safety/security, compassion, wisdom, trust, truth/honesty, engaged citizenship, creativity, forgiveness, love. Before you read further, perhaps you’d like to take a minute to note your own preferences. (Don’t peek ahead!) Ready? Here’s how my minute-long inner conversation went: Unity. Yes. That’s right up there at the top for me. Always has been; always will be. We are many facets of one human race. Freedom. The hallmark of our great nation, I do not take for granted that we have the freedom to visit family and friends in other states and nations, to speak what is on our minds, and to engage in whatever work and play we choose. I am often reminded that freedom is an attitude above all else, and when I forget I simply re-read Elie Wiesel. Freedom is definitely one of my top values. Responsibility. Hmmm… Personal responsibility goes hand-in-hand with freedom. When we blame others or justify our behaviors, we imprison ourselves in perpetual victimhood. Choosing my top five values is challenging! Equality. How can we have unity without equality? Order. While I believe that “all is in perfect order,” I don’t think of order as one of my top values. (Maybe that’s why my teenager’s room is such a mess!) Efficiency. Reminds me of work. Safety/security. At first glance, this sounds like an antidote to fear. I’d rather focus on love. Compassion. Ah, this one captures my attention. If I had more of this, I would be less judgmental – of those who are fearful. Wisdom. If this means getting centered and quiet in order to tap into the wisdom of the ages, then yes. Count me in on this one. Trust and Truth/Honesty. These go together...all the way to the top of my list! We can do so much for and with each other when there is trust based on honesty! Engaged citizenship. Sounds like responsibility to me. Very important in this day and age of increasing negativity. Positive revolution, anyone? Creativity. This is a must for the evolution of humanity. Where, oh, where does it fit into my ranking? Forgiveness. Read page 118 of Revolutionary Agreements for how I feel about this one (or see below*). Love. Love. Love. The rules of the game (survey) changed as I contemplated this one. Who needs five top values when one will do? If God is Love and Love is All There Is, then this is the ultimate value. Indeed it is the value of life and the reason for living. When we experience Divine love and pay it forward, then all the other values in this list are handled. Forgiveness and compassion come naturally, creativity and efficiency flow, responsibility and engaged citizenship rise up to meet the challenges of living in unity and equality. Ah, love is the answer. With Love,
Success
Stories Linda Ireland has owned and operated a bed and breakfast, a holistic nutrition company, a wellness center and spa, and a state certified holistic learning center. She is presently working on her first book. When I think of the many examples of how the Agreements have made a palpable difference in some aspect of my life, one story shines above the rest because it is near and dear to my heart: my relationship with my husband. For some time we had been having numerous and silly little arguments. I found that I was always nit picking over something and it was slowly chipping away at our relationship. As I sat back and looked within at my reactions I was startled at what I discovered. A lot of how I was reacting to my husband was founded in my relationship to my dad. As a child I was quite intimidated by him. His bitter attitude about life in general overflowed onto me and I could not understand his harshness. I carried this resentment with me into adulthood and marriage. When Dad was recently hospitalized I had an opportunity to see the dynamics of his behavior through more mature eyes. Visiting him in the hospital and listening to him with an open heart I could see for the first time why he was the way he was and I was able to let go of the past. I no longer took personally some of his comments and was able to actually love him for who he was, knowing that he was doing the best he could with what he had. This was incredibly liberating and empowering for me. I shared my insights with my husband and noticed that my little nit picking issues just melted away. It is amazing the differences these simple Agreements can make when I take just a few moments to become consciously aware of them throughout my day. There is always something to be grateful for; there is always some good to be seen in another; there is always some choice to be consciously made; and, my favorite: there is always room to Lighten Up. March 20, Monday, Boulder, CO, Columbine Unity Church – As part of the series: Building Spiritual CommUnity led by visiting Reverend Judi Elia Ballard, Marian will speak on “Relationships That Work.” Please call (303) 546-0114 for details. March 23, Thursday, Fort Worth Convention Center, TX – “The Joyful Path to Presidential.” Marian teams up with Gail Hoag to present a Revolutionary Agreements workshop for Mannatech Associates who want more personal freedom and joy on their way to financial freedom. For more information on Mannatech, visit Marian’s business website, www.head2freedom.com. April 10, Monday, Boulder, CO, Columbine Unity Church – Continuing the series: Building Spiritual CommUnity. Marian and her husband, Glenn, will speak on “Making and Keeping Agreements.” Marian’s Tai Ji teacher of
nearly 20 years recently granted Marian an endorsement for the back cover
of the next printing of Revolutionary Agreements. Because
of her adoration and admiration of this talented, wise, and gentle being who
is well known in the human potential movement, Marian was thrilled and delighted. He
wrote, “Marian Head is a true student of Tao. Her insightful and
persuasive 'Wu-Wei' approaches for personal transformation reach our hearts
with open invitation to join the 'soft' revolution and harmonious agreement
for all.” During this month of love, I noticed that when I relax and just go with the flow, wonderful things can happen. On the other hand, when I get myself all worked up and have too many expectations, I open myself to disappointment. The following has a grain or two of truth in it. I won’t tell which grains, but I learned a good deal about love and trust.
Valentine
Blessings in Disguise Tis the time of hearts and roses, Our Valentines wait oh so patiently I sat and waited along with the rest I dabbed on my ears his favorite perfume The door flew open, he entered the room. He placed in my hands a red envelope My hands were shaking as I opened it up Inside of the card between the sweet words As he sat in the chair with the food in his lap The ingredients for love are many. I learned
a big lesson that Valentine’s Day I fixed him a brand new dinner.
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