A link to this story popped up on one of my random searches. I clicked through to it, even though the title was a little off putting. I urge you all to read it, it speaks volumes on love, trust and compassion. It's several minutes since i first read this piece, and I still have tears streaming down my cheeks.
What a little champion you were Ugly, I only wish you had been in my neighbourhood so I could have given you the love and care you deserved. Your message will not be forgotten.
Ugly
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown
http://www.inspirationalstories.com/16/1624.html
Everyone in the apartment complex I lived in knew who Ugly was. Ugly was the resident tomcat. Ugly loved three things in this world: fighting, eating garbage, and shall we say, love.
The combination of these things combined with a life spent outside had their effect on Ugly. To start with, he had only one eye, and where the other should have been was a gaping hole. He was also missing his ear on the same side, his left foot has appeared to have been badly broken at one time, and had healed at an unnatural angle, making him look like he was always turning the corner.
His tail has long age been lost, leaving only the smallest stub, which he would constantly jerk and twitch. Ugly would have been a dark gray tabby striped-type, except for the sores covering his head, neck, and even his shoulders with thick, yellowing scabs. Every time someone saw Ugly there was the same reaction. “That’s one UGLY cat!!”
All the children were warned not to touch him, the adults threw rocks at him, hosed him down, squirted him when he tried to come in their homes, or shut his paws in the door when he would not leave. Ugly always had the same reaction. If you turned the hose on him, he would stand there, getting soaked until you gave up and quit. If you threw things at him, he would curl his lanky body around feet in forgiveness.
Whenever he spied children, he would come running meowing frantically and bump his head against their hands, begging for their love. If ever someone picked him up he would immediately begin suckling on your shirt, earrings, whatever he could find.
One day Ugly shared his love with the neighbor’s huskies. They did not respond kindly, and Ugly was badly mauled. From my apartment I could hear his screams, and I tried to rush to his aid. By the time I got to where he was laying, it was apparent Ugly’s sad life was almost at an end.
Ugly lay in a wet circle, his back legs and lower back twisted grossly out of shape, a gaping tear in the white strip of fur that ran down his front. As I picked him up and tried to carry him home I could hear him wheezing and gasping, and could feel him struggling. “I must be hurting him terribly,” I thought. Then I felt a familiar tugging, sucking sensation on my ear.
Ugly, in so much pain, suffering and obviously dying was trying to suckle my ear. I pulled him closer to me, and he bumped the palm of my hand with his head, then he turned his one golden eye towards me, and I could hear the distinct sound of purring. Even in the greatest pain, that ugly battled scarred cat was asking only for a little affection, perhaps some compassion.
At that moment I thought Ugly was the most beautiful, loving creature I had ever seen. Never once did he try to bite or scratch me, or even try to get away from me, or struggle in any way. Ugly just looked up at me completely trusting in me to relieve his pain.
Ugly died in my arms before I could get inside, but I sat and held him for a long time afterwards, thinking about how one scarred, deformed little stray could so alter my opinion about what it means to have true pureness of spirit, to love so totally and truly.
Ugly taught me more about giving and compassion than a thousand books, lectures, or talk show specials ever could, and for that I will always be thankful. He had been scarred on the outside, but I was scarred on the inside, and it was time for me to move on and learn to love truly and deeply.
It was time to give my all to those I cared for. Many people want to be richer, more successful, well liked, beautiful, but for me, I will always try to be like Ugly.
http://www.inspirationalstories.com/16/1624.html
Sunday, January 10, 2010
A Spiritual Blockbuster?
We had the pleasure of seeing Avatar recently, and were blown away by the spiritual content of the film. From the "Tree of Souls" to the message of all energy is borrowed and at some point must be returned, the dialogue was captivating. I came across this while searching the Net, and wanted to share so those who had seen it could reflect and enjoy again, and those who haven't could maybe be tempted to.
(For those who don't know, the Na'vi are the indigenous people of Pandora.)
Spiritual Lessons from the Na'vi
1. Seeds, trees, animals, insects, water, leaves are all part of the web of life. Everything is alive and conscious and interconnected.
2. It may be necessary to kill for food. A clean kill involves a respect and a ritual for any animal that gives itself to you for food and other uses.
3. Even vicious and seemingly violent animals have the right to protect their turf and participate in the dance of life.
4. Having a good heart and being fearless are part of being a warrior.
5. Signs are all around us in nature and in our own experiences: they are meant to be read and interpreted.
6. Using the power within us is the way of the sacred feminine.
7. A greeting is an act of engagement with another. Open and active presence is conveyed by the words "I see you."
8. It is important to listen to the voices of the ancestors.
9. Everyone is born twice: once at birth and once again when he or she earns a place within the community.
10. Energy is pulsating in and through all forms of life.
11. Mother Earth doesn't take sides; she protects only the balance of life.
12. Healing is an act of the community calling upon the divine.
13. Everyone needs to train in atunement to the spirit in nature.
14. The magical flights of the shaman invoke spirit helpers.
15. The world is a collaborative work in progress in which each individual in the tribe has something to contribute to the whole.
(For those who don't know, the Na'vi are the indigenous people of Pandora.)
Spiritual Lessons from the Na'vi
1. Seeds, trees, animals, insects, water, leaves are all part of the web of life. Everything is alive and conscious and interconnected.
2. It may be necessary to kill for food. A clean kill involves a respect and a ritual for any animal that gives itself to you for food and other uses.
3. Even vicious and seemingly violent animals have the right to protect their turf and participate in the dance of life.
4. Having a good heart and being fearless are part of being a warrior.
5. Signs are all around us in nature and in our own experiences: they are meant to be read and interpreted.
6. Using the power within us is the way of the sacred feminine.
7. A greeting is an act of engagement with another. Open and active presence is conveyed by the words "I see you."
8. It is important to listen to the voices of the ancestors.
9. Everyone is born twice: once at birth and once again when he or she earns a place within the community.
10. Energy is pulsating in and through all forms of life.
11. Mother Earth doesn't take sides; she protects only the balance of life.
12. Healing is an act of the community calling upon the divine.
13. Everyone needs to train in atunement to the spirit in nature.
14. The magical flights of the shaman invoke spirit helpers.
15. The world is a collaborative work in progress in which each individual in the tribe has something to contribute to the whole.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Thought Process Affirmation
"I am easily able to choose which thoughts I want to think."
From my own perspective and through the comments from others I know that this is often a struggling point when it comes to conscious thinking. So I thought it would be an idea to open this one up for discussion and see what our words of wisdom our fans could share to help others on their journey.
For me I have found that when a negative thought plants itself in your head a great way to counteract this is by placing your hand above your heart, closing your eyes and repeating the opposite for a few minutes until the new vibration takes hold. For example, if you are are having money worries and thinking "How am I going to pay this bill?", to counteract this vibration repeat "The money is here". To strengthen your new affirmation further include gratitude, eg "I am grateful that the money is here". You will actually feel a sense of calm replace the anxiety that was coursing through your body.
Please feel free to share any helpful techniques, or any feedback on this exercise.
May all your affirmations be powerful and your thoughts clear and positive.
To see more on this discussion become a fan of our facebook page "Perceive and Achieve".
From my own perspective and through the comments from others I know that this is often a struggling point when it comes to conscious thinking. So I thought it would be an idea to open this one up for discussion and see what our words of wisdom our fans could share to help others on their journey.
For me I have found that when a negative thought plants itself in your head a great way to counteract this is by placing your hand above your heart, closing your eyes and repeating the opposite for a few minutes until the new vibration takes hold. For example, if you are are having money worries and thinking "How am I going to pay this bill?", to counteract this vibration repeat "The money is here". To strengthen your new affirmation further include gratitude, eg "I am grateful that the money is here". You will actually feel a sense of calm replace the anxiety that was coursing through your body.
Please feel free to share any helpful techniques, or any feedback on this exercise.
May all your affirmations be powerful and your thoughts clear and positive.
To see more on this discussion become a fan of our facebook page "Perceive and Achieve".
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Now Is The Time
What Will You Do Differently in 2010?
Remember that if you change nothing, nothing changes. If you have not yet achieved all that you had hoped to in 2009, you have an enormous opportunity to start fresh starting on January 1, 2010.
In order to create this clear blank slate in front of you where you can create anything and everything you’ve ever wanted, you need to prepare and plan.
1. Get clear. Just because something may not have worked out for you in the past, you need to let it go. Let the past go. The past doesn’t exist anymore, except in our minds. Clear your mind and start fresh again. Do not bring negative past experiences with you into the future, it will continue to sabotage you.
2. Ask yourself, what can I do differently this time around to achieve a different result?
3. Write out everything you want to achieve in 2010. If you don’t have a map how are you going to get there? Simply writing your goals down increases the chances of it coming to fruition. Prepare your dreams and goals before the 1st January and get very clear of what you will create, manifest and achieve. Make sure you are thinking big, you deserve everything the universe can offer you!
4. The most important thing to always remember, no matter how hard things become, never, ever, ever, give up! Most people give up just when they were about to turn the corner. Your greatest life is just around the corner...so hold on!
I wish you all the best for this New Year. Remember that you hold the key to making it GREAT. You can get what you want from life!
Make a stand now and make 2010 your best year yet!
I Wish You Well,
Alison
Remember that if you change nothing, nothing changes. If you have not yet achieved all that you had hoped to in 2009, you have an enormous opportunity to start fresh starting on January 1, 2010.
In order to create this clear blank slate in front of you where you can create anything and everything you’ve ever wanted, you need to prepare and plan.
1. Get clear. Just because something may not have worked out for you in the past, you need to let it go. Let the past go. The past doesn’t exist anymore, except in our minds. Clear your mind and start fresh again. Do not bring negative past experiences with you into the future, it will continue to sabotage you.
2. Ask yourself, what can I do differently this time around to achieve a different result?
3. Write out everything you want to achieve in 2010. If you don’t have a map how are you going to get there? Simply writing your goals down increases the chances of it coming to fruition. Prepare your dreams and goals before the 1st January and get very clear of what you will create, manifest and achieve. Make sure you are thinking big, you deserve everything the universe can offer you!
4. The most important thing to always remember, no matter how hard things become, never, ever, ever, give up! Most people give up just when they were about to turn the corner. Your greatest life is just around the corner...so hold on!
I wish you all the best for this New Year. Remember that you hold the key to making it GREAT. You can get what you want from life!
Make a stand now and make 2010 your best year yet!
I Wish You Well,
Alison
Monday, November 9, 2009
Stan is the Man
I was so impressed while watching Australian Idol on the weekend (sssh...it's one of my guilty pleasures). Not with the show, not with the guest judges, not with the band. I was impressed with a young man who seems to be wildly wise beyond his 18 years. A young man by the name of Stan Walker.
Now Stan has not had the best start in life, nor has he had an easy journey to where he is now. From the wrong side of the tracks, involved in juvenile delinquency, never expected to go far. But come far he has. Blessed with a magical voice, and also the ability to tell a story and convey emotion while performing a song.
But what really astounded me was Stan's interview soundbite before his last of 3 songs for the night, Amazing Grace. Unconventional choice for an 18 year old normally dressed in a hoodie and cap? Definitely. Did he belt it out like every word had meaning to him and his path in life? Most definitely!
Anyway, in the soundbite he was talking about watching Guy win the first year and how much he wanted to do that, that his dream was one day he would be there. And now he is.
How so much has gone down (probably a lot more bad than good)in that time between now and then, but he made it to where his dream was taking him.
Then what really blew me away was when he said "Do you know why I want to win Idol? Because now I know I can, and it can be done. It's not more the winning, but it's about 'I can do it'. That's why I want to win." Anyone who has ever dared to follow their dream, achieved a long held goal, or held one in their sights will know exactly what Stan meant.
And you know what? I really, really hope that he wins. Not only does he have the classic underdog story, but he has shown he's got the goods, the attitude and the work ethic. For anyone to rise from where he has and follow their inner voice is an example to everyone what can be achieved when you put your heart and soul into your dreams.
Stan Walker, I raise my hat (or should I say, cap!) to you.
Such humility, such grace.
Amazing Grace.
Now Stan has not had the best start in life, nor has he had an easy journey to where he is now. From the wrong side of the tracks, involved in juvenile delinquency, never expected to go far. But come far he has. Blessed with a magical voice, and also the ability to tell a story and convey emotion while performing a song.
But what really astounded me was Stan's interview soundbite before his last of 3 songs for the night, Amazing Grace. Unconventional choice for an 18 year old normally dressed in a hoodie and cap? Definitely. Did he belt it out like every word had meaning to him and his path in life? Most definitely!
Anyway, in the soundbite he was talking about watching Guy win the first year and how much he wanted to do that, that his dream was one day he would be there. And now he is.
How so much has gone down (probably a lot more bad than good)in that time between now and then, but he made it to where his dream was taking him.
Then what really blew me away was when he said "Do you know why I want to win Idol? Because now I know I can, and it can be done. It's not more the winning, but it's about 'I can do it'. That's why I want to win." Anyone who has ever dared to follow their dream, achieved a long held goal, or held one in their sights will know exactly what Stan meant.
And you know what? I really, really hope that he wins. Not only does he have the classic underdog story, but he has shown he's got the goods, the attitude and the work ethic. For anyone to rise from where he has and follow their inner voice is an example to everyone what can be achieved when you put your heart and soul into your dreams.
Stan Walker, I raise my hat (or should I say, cap!) to you.
Such humility, such grace.
Amazing Grace.
The Love of a Dog
I have never came across a dog with a personality like our Great Dane/Ridgeback cross Daisy. We rescued her from the RSPCA when she was about 6 months old, she had arrived there as a mistreated stray. Shanon came across her photo in the newspaper and knew instantly that she belonged with us. She was very timid and painfully thin to start with but after several days of lots and lots of love and care (and generally being spoilt rotten) she began to love life again. She is very much a people dog, even after her horrific start in life. It says a lot about a dog's capacity for healing and trust I think. It saddened me terribly one day when we were playing with one of her "toys" to see her flinch and cower when I raised my arm over my head in a slam-down throwing motion. And it shocked me as well to realise that that was her experience of life, where even play time was treated with wariness.
She has been part of our lives for over 18 months now, and we are finally coming out the other side of the "Puppy Years" (phew!). She makes us laugh every day, and fills our lives with joy...
Today I want to share with you something that I came across on my friend Nieema's Facebook page. It will fill your heart with love. And maybe, if you're like me, your eyes with tears.
Happy reading everyone, let me know if it touched you as well.
She has been part of our lives for over 18 months now, and we are finally coming out the other side of the "Puppy Years" (phew!). She makes us laugh every day, and fills our lives with joy...
Today I want to share with you something that I came across on my friend Nieema's Facebook page. It will fill your heart with love. And maybe, if you're like me, your eyes with tears.
Happy reading everyone, let me know if it touched you as well.
Lucky the Dog
Ann and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.'
Lucky was a real character. Whenever Ann and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.
Ann or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favourite toys Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Ann found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.
She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders. The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her.....what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Ann's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Ann thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Ann than her doctors had anticipated and Ann for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Ann to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Ann was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap.
Lucky stood watching Ann but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Ann sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Ann woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Ann realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favourite things in life.
He had covered her with his love.
Ann forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day. It's been 12 years now and Ann is still cancer-free. Lucky He still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Ann remains his greatest treasure.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Macho macho man
What wonderful songs you can hear (and see) if you are watching Pay TV late at night. Really, it's too much fun. (Hence the post title.)
Well people, this is my first blog.
Caught a bit unawares, but I do aim to improve.
I will be posting a blog everyday, and my goal is to reach and connect with one person every day. It is a very small world, and the more you connect the more you realise that this is the case.
(Hello Luke and your gorgeous family who I had the pleasure of meeting tonight. Looking forward to meeting up next week x)
Life is not always random.
I can thank my new friend Cheri from Great Lakes Michigan for that thought this week. We have known each other for a few days and I consider her a friend, and a part of my life already. If by any chance you get to read this Cheri, I just need to say Happy Anniversary, you are a wonderful woman.
Life is short, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Make sure you strap yourself in and hang on for the ride!
Well people, this is my first blog.
Caught a bit unawares, but I do aim to improve.
I will be posting a blog everyday, and my goal is to reach and connect with one person every day. It is a very small world, and the more you connect the more you realise that this is the case.
(Hello Luke and your gorgeous family who I had the pleasure of meeting tonight. Looking forward to meeting up next week x)
Life is not always random.
I can thank my new friend Cheri from Great Lakes Michigan for that thought this week. We have known each other for a few days and I consider her a friend, and a part of my life already. If by any chance you get to read this Cheri, I just need to say Happy Anniversary, you are a wonderful woman.
Life is short, sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Make sure you strap yourself in and hang on for the ride!
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