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If you discovered you actually had the ability to actively shape your world as you experience it, would you?

Neale Donald Walsch is launching a new book: A storm before the calm. With interest I read his intro. He is literally shaping the book as a conversation, implementing opinions from memory and also from his readers who care to provide their viewpoint on topics from marriage to nature, to economy systems, to health care, to our global future as we see it today in a separate book. And marketing jazz aside: I understand where he is coming from. Increasingly I, and others, find it harder and harder to keep up with the world of duality. It is tiresome because it doesn't correspond with our new desires. Why would you care about customer's demands if your friend has cancer or another friend has been trouble finding work for a year? Have you had enough too of paying mortgages? We know something is seriously off key with the status quo and it's bugging most of us tremendously. So what is it?

Instead of hankering down and building a bunker to weather 2012, Walsch is doing a great job of being the devil's advocate by stating that all of us shape this world as it currently is, and obviously have the ability to 're-shape' it now we have stopped liking what we created. he doesn't mean changing it with our physical force, but by changing the attitudes of our mind, which influences and brings about the physical state also (read up on quantum mechanics and modern physics if you think this is baloney.) 

I long enjoyed ideas from this nature, that we as supposedly nimble homo sapiens are uneducated in what we are exactly capable of. I was given information by others (friends, peers, strangers) as well as being taught by the larger part of who I am to aid me in changing my previous more limited viewpoints. It's a continuing expansion. The power we will discover apparently is our innate ability to 'educate ourselves' in the most profound sense, and because of those increasing downloads, the extra knowing and feeling (I call it the best re-boot since the invention of sliced bread) it will bring about great changes in us and for us. It's a no-brainer that more and radical changes are imminent, not because we are hippies, misguided politicians or ignorant doodlers, but because the writing on the wall is getting so incredibly large we can't shut the curtain on it anymore. It is becoming self evident. You can't ignore what is staring you in the face while it's chewing and burping loudly. I find this encouraging. To summarize: staying on the snooze button will get us nowhere, re establishing what all of us wish to develop into is far more sensible even when looked upon from many different and colorful point of views. So kudos to Walsch for sticking his neck out and starting his conversation. By all means make up your own mind. I happily dare you.

I guess what I'm suggesting is to go on a self discovery tour (not the navel staring I mean the going out there and exploring your ideas both old and new). And do it fast. Use whatever bandwagon you need and any transport required, any library or e-book. Find the information you need and somehow gravitate toward and by all means: think for yourself. It is your choice after all. And instead of going for the-sooo-bloody-old rant of "get realistic" and knuckle down in this challenging climate I think it is more helpful to do something bigger then we are individually, and become part of that change we want to see (great blog-post here by Surili about when we get disillusioned or discouraged). What matters is what we do here, what we will be able to do in 20 years time still and to clean up the crap we've been leaving around as it is affecting our own health now too.

Opposed of playing nice and tidying my pigtails I rather express that which rings true to me. If this makes no sense to some, fine. If I am an oddball, fine. If I am unsuccessful, fine. I don't care about those things anymore anyway. I do however to my great astonishment, care deeply about humanity, and where the heck we're going. I prefer it to be awesome, inspiring and beneficial to both rock, plant, animal and humans and all particles in between. And I'm also quite willing, as is my husband, when times "toughen up" further to share our place with those we know to be in need. Increasingly I find this to be more important, to help look after others, to help them, to encourage them, opposed to what happens on a daily basis with me personally or what will "really" happen in 2012 when the Maya calender is due for a new chapter. 

I'm thinking bigger picture and multi-dimensional, are you?

poetic imagery

When I was away in Auckland I came across a very special book. It's called ''Beautiful Solitude" and eventhough I cannot make heads or tails of the Chinese phrases, I can of the miraculous illustrations done by Jimmy Liao.

There is something very touching about his work. I absolutely love the book.

I guess the simplicity and black and white just grabbed me! Below are some more pictures of illustrations of other books:

 Jimmy Liao is a professional illustrator. From wiki: "Jimmy Liao (Chinese Name: Lao Fu-Bin, born November 15, 1958) is a well-known Taiwanese illustrator as well as a picture book writer. The name Jimmy is his English first name which brought about his (phonetic) Chinese pen name.


After graduating from Chinese Culture University in which he majored in art, Jimmy worked in an advertising company for twelve years, and then he worked as an illustrator for newspapers and magazines. In 1998 his picture books Secrets In The Forest and A Fish With A Smile were published in Taiwan.

 

Jimmy’s books have been translated into dozens of languages and sold around the world. His books have also been adapted for theater, movie, television, and animation.

His pictures are characterized by their use of striking, bold colours and depict central figures that often appear small in the foreground, suggesting the viewpoint of a child in the wide, sometimes sinister, world, or to hint at loneliness."

I like how he manages to include both large spaces in his work and make the characters so personable in it. His work seems cute but has a lot more to it which makes it very compelling I think.

Now I hope he doesn't mind, but I have started scribbling poetry work of my own in this book choosing his images carefully to accompany it, or is it mine that accompanies his? It somehow seemed the right thing to do.

the attention span

Today I'm having a day off. Like you I hit days at times when I think: I need to recharge my batteries and find a quiet place. I have noticed that my attention span, and my energy levels have increasinly become more sensitive and prone to the danger of overloading.

Just before, I decided to have a snooz. By the time I was in bed the siesta desire had passed and instead I found myself immersed in reading "The Thank You Economy" by Gary Vaynerchuk. This guy is so on the ball it's almost painful when you realize so many people are obviously not (no offense). So there's delight they might want to learn how to play too which is a positive outlook.

At times I find myself seeing relations in aspects between many dotted areas. It's when the "aha" kicks in, like having a view of a very large terrain where many activities are going on. What Gary talks about in the TYE and also what I keep finding in my personal and profesional life is that all boils down to Attention. In my case I lost attention for myself this week, I seemed to be predominantly focusing it elsewhere if not ''somewhere". This caused me to lose track on "where I was".

The Attention Span is very much a 'now' thing. Not only does everyone have a far shorter supply then ever before, I notice myself that things are changing at a rapid rate. The way we socialize changes, the way how we do things changes, what we value interestingly changes too (the economy and the earthquakes globally contributing to that); the way we communicate has changed and keeps on changing and generally: how and what we give Attention to changes. A lot.

The crux of the story is that all Attention matters and how we provide it. What I also recognized in Gary's wonderful trainride story is that it matters greatly how we act, how we conduct ourselves. It's very important to be transparant about who we are. Just yesterday an Oodlies interview was published with me discussing vaginas at length. All I can say is: the sometimes open ways how Joi (from Oodlies) and I interact involves this way of communicating, it's part of our lingo. It's what we're like together. We don't lie about who we are. I am various sides of a spectrum. To be anything but one way would be too limiting for me. I really like Gary's viewpoint on being genuine, how could there be a future where we're not?

To me Attention is not just the time we take to focus on anything, be it online or off, and to tell others about it, it's also very much the ethical side of it, the human side of it, the why and how side of it, that others relate to and understand. I think we will find faster and faster that we "get" what other people talk about and what they do. Even before they have finished speaking or ''doing''. We will increasingly find ourselves "smelling the rat" or "feeling the vibe" in ways we could not conceive of ever before. These are magical times.

The trick with Attention is that all Attention is really Love. Keep an open mind about this. Give attention freely and it will flow back to you. Draft all sorts of rules and it will bite you in the ass. (I wonder how Gary would feel about this.)

Above all: I think our Attention deserves more credit. We forget that Attention as it is, is our commodity. It falls and stands with our choices and our expressions. We will be known by others how we give our Attention and most of all: whether we actually care about others, as well as ourselves. It's when we forget, that we falter. I think that if many of us continue to forget that we are all part of a very large hive that we have the danger of losing our Attention for each other.

Luckily, from what I can see, most people are very much focused on the value of having genuine relationships and enjoying the freedom of movement that transparency provides. The way we do ''business'' will therefor change a lot too. I'm sure the last chapter about this has not been written. And I like that.

More about Gary's book and where to order it here

Oodlies time

Recently I have mentioned "the whimsy". Someone who is excellent at creating some serious Whimsy Art is Joi. I thought I'd share some of her work with you today as I'm a BIG fan. Make that HUGE fan. She is about to release a book no less with co-creator Bambi Gordon: "If a smile should lose its mouth". 

Read more about the world of Oodlies and how to get their children's book here. I have pre ordered two and golly ms Molly there will be more to follow.


Every day Joi draws away and oodlies appear. It's a funny thing. She's been making oodlies for about 10 years! She can draw them anywhere but usually at a small work station at home.

I find them hypnotic! There is so much to see and surprises around every corner. So who is the mysterious Joi? Read all about her (hilarious interview) here.

She recently made this design into a montage for a professional photographer friend. Joi has her own web design business: Joidesign. They specialize in branding for small businesses. Her clientèle is internationally based and her workload is huge. Of course! Being such a talented creative it's no wonder she is so sought after. Kudos!

A while ago Joi has been kind to also make one about me being the goat and farm beasties lady. I love it! Should you wish a commissioned piece too: send her an email via her website here and enter in the subject text: commissioned oodlie request. See what she says. Just try to not catch her at a PMS time that is hardcore ok. And if you want to send her something nice: send her Toblerone.

Writing

I’ve found a book again that I bought years ago which is about writing. I was reading some passages in it and was pleasantly surprised when the author Julia Cameron said that she literally writes down what pops up in her head. I can relate to that. www.amazon.com/Right-Write-Julia-Cameron/dp/0874779375

It can be really amazing what comes out of these blogging sessions. I can get quite intrigued myself. Because I don’t always know where these words come from, they just appear and I happily follow them. What does that make me? A writer of dotter downer? Maybe it doesn’t matter. The story is more important than the storyteller…

So what do you read (besides this funny blog)? Have you ever read Enders Game? Impressive narrative. Still an all time favorite in my family. We all have the entire series. Great book for the highly intelligent. Great for 8+ kids too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender's_Game_series

Neal Walsch did a brilliant job of writing down what God told him. Aside the fact whether you believe in God or not, the dialogue was superb and the topics interesting. Food for thought and Neil sold millions of books so it must of hit a nerve globally. I enjoyed it and read all 3 years ago. http://www.conversationswithgod.org/

I surprised to read a book by Gordon Ramsay … as I honestly didn’t take to the guy before. A mate of mine suggested I should read a book of his and I decided it would be a good idea to make up my own mind. I have to be honest: I was impressed. The guy obviously worked hard and it was interesting to hear about how his father in law is intertwined with the whole operation and how he grew his business. http://www.seekbooks.co.nz/book/Gordon-Ramsays-Playing-with-Fire/isbn/9780007264339.htm

Of course movies are stories told ‘in motion’. My favorite is Amelie Poulin, it’s absolutely exquisite. The beauty of it is in the imagery and in that what’s not being verbalized. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211915/

So what keeps you from doing what pleases you and letting others know? Is it setting up a veggie garden? It may be writing as well or singing. Do what inspires you and share it if you can. Start a modern gothic petanque club or a leather knitting society. Expand beyond that which takes your fancy. Grow your ambition and ‘spread the word’.

The art of Words

My mother writes professional poetry (http://www.waaier.com/index.php). She’s been doing this for years and has published her own books, about 8 by now. She has spread her wings and is travelling nationally to read from her work and she holds annual poetry meetings where members camp out, swap stories, build friendships and have a lot of fun. Inspiration and igniting people’s minds is what she gets a real kick out of.

What’s between the words can be truly inspiring. She has passed on her wordy genes to me and I am very grateful. Both my parents are talented and I think it’s fabulous when people go after what they believe in and explore the boundaries of their being. Mum is bringing out a new poetry book next month that contains work of 25 poetry writers from Belgium and The Netherlands. Go mum! Humble me did the graphic design for the cover and I suggested the title as well which she has taken to heart; the Nature of the Beast (the theme being animals). Yes, there’s a lot to be said for words…

I like supporting others in their endeavors. I do not believe in competition but joining forces. I believe in sharing and bringing out hidden talents in others. Seeing something or someone grow is a fabulous sight. Do not give up on your dreams or ideas. Move boldly forward. If you don’t, who else will? We all have to start somewhere. Do your bit, sing your song, do your dance.

“They say the writing is on the wall
But I am reading between the lines.”