peace

There is a lot of "oneness" currently going on, on many different levels. There is less thought about "countries" and "boundaries" as there is about the expressions of "people". People online connect in all sorts of ways and discuss all sorts of topics. Also offline we run around like chickens. News items come out in the open faster and more is shared then ever before. 

Have you felt any changes in your body recently? Thing are literally humming and it seems we are cramming experiences together like an overstuffed burger that is dripping with cheese. Many people experience a feeling of condensed time. We are either running out of steam or feel we can't keep up anymore. We try to do too many things or want to get too many things done. Then again why do we choose to? We are a funny bunch aren't we.

“Whether a human heart is open or whether that heart closes has global implications” ~Pema Chodron~


I consider this time to be one about the business of the heart. Some people say: where is the logic? Where is your reality? Yeah what about that reality huh. What, don't tell me: you like the way your job is going? This modern slavery we are caught in? What could you be doing instead if you didn't have to earn a living to provide food and pay your mortgage? Hard work can be useful and sensible, if you're working towards something you really believe in. If it means you are doing something worthwhile. If it provides you joy and sustenance and all the things you were hoping to experience. Ultimately what we all want is to experience peace apparently. To do what we like to do and not burden anyone else with it but rather: share it around. I'm thinking goat cheese myself. I would be quite happy to have the time to start milking my goaties and crack out some sublime goat cheeses. For now I'm still an interior designer working 9-5s and Mooodling of course.


So what is it with this heart business?
This is where we reside. Not in our head. A Dr. stated that our brain is a physical vessel that contains many things but our actual thinking is not done there. Did you know that? It's a wonderful thing to wake up to. Where does our consciousness go when we sleep? Where does it go when we are dead? Read more about Dr Pim van Lommel and his work here. Did you also know that what we think can actually change the shape of water on a molecular level? Research came up with that. Yeppers. See the video of that here: (an excerpt of the movie: What the Bleep Do We Know.)


An interview with Dr Masaru Emoto the water doctor below, fascinating!



Back to the heart: we seem to be able to have more effect on our environment through our emotional (guidance) system then we do through conventional thinking. What do you think made the book The Secret such a success? More and more people are finding out how to use their natural abilities. (The book the Secret was based by the way on the works of Esther and Jerry Hicks. More about this insightful and friendly couple here.)

"One simple change - seeking and finding peace within - could, were it undertaken by everyone, end all wars, eliminate conflict, prevent injustice, and bring the world everlasting peace. World peace is a personal thing. What is needed is not a change of circumstance, but a change of consciousness." Neale Donald Walsch (FB post today)

"Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures."
- John F. Kennedy

So a long story short: whatever you think, or feel, or decide to do, or not do, has effect. It means you too, can decide to declare World Peace by working on your own peace. I have started with myself as that's the only person I have a say about. So get to it too! Do your thing and have fun with it. Oh and say "I declare World Peace". Just like that. More info on: http://ideclareworldpeace.com/ That will keep you busy for a while...

"In 2010, we hatched an idea to create an art installation unlike anything ever before seen or heard of on this planet, made possible for the first time in history by modern technology and the prevalent existence of social media. Our idea is to create the largest art installation ever, to be installed not in some physical location, or even in cyberspace but rather within the consciousness of every person on the planet, a sort of "Gates of the Mind". Each person will hold a "flag" in his or her mind, which collectively will change the history of the world. The "flag" is I Declare World Peace, expressed in the language of the thinker."


"Come help us create the largest art installation in the history of the world, installed, for the first time ever, on the consciousness of mankind."

us and them

What makes competition what it is? Why does it matter? Some use competition to work harder, others to give up beforehand. There are grim faces, smirks and comments. Here are ways for you to consider something else: 


If you become so totally kick ass good at being the brand, and you know what it is that makes you and your product different, then competition is basically off the cards, because you have literally become a new breed in your own right, a special species. Unless you bang out washing machines that are the same as the ones from up the road, you've got options. 


As Seth Godin puts it: "You don't have to like competition in order to understand that it exists. Your fair share isn't going to be yours unless you give the public a reason to pick you." (the rest of his post here)


The competition mindset is one of fear. I am a huge believer that there are excellent ways of making distinctions in the big pool, or like Seth said: give people a reason to choose you. There is usually work for everyone, depending on how you look at it. Look further then door number 1. It's not about going along with playing the game, but to change the game or to play your own game. Either way, getting too hung up about the whole gig is bad for your health. The most successful people are telling the story right, know the benefits that they offer and have that magic "it" factor that people will remember. They have full confidence and belief in themselves and their product. It is magnetic.


Above can also apply to you as a person. I explained to my husband the other day that he should remember that he is valuable as a professional and a rare commodity on the market, so to speak (which he is). It's good to realize your own market value, don't sell yourself short, and also, dare to ASK for what you want and know you can. Nicely. It is different approaching your target audience with confidence -knowing what you got- opposed to from a place of 'what if', desperation or neediness. Most people can smell your underlying thought pattern by reading your behavior in a flash. Examine your attitudes.


Another reason to look at - and work with competition differently is that I have found it far more worthwhile to work with them. It's not a matter of "keeping your friends close but keep your enemies closer"; but to see the competition not as an opponent at all, rather someone to work with to create mutual benefit. This makes sense, and it's a lot more positive and fun then the other way round. Why repel or ignore them? Have a chat and see how you can help one another. Some may be very suspicious, others wary, or even very surprised. It doesn't hurt to try. Consider it.


Competition definitely has it's place and function: it does work as the benchmark of any given topic, because of the competition's existence you can re-evaluate where you stand yourself and how you think and feel about the process. You should almost be thankful that they are obliging to just exist in this fashion so you can learn from them.


And finally: how about the discussions that you have to be where the action is (so others are not going to out-do you)? Naturally if you are a retailer or a local dairy this makes sense. But what if you can take that retailing online? What I find so captivating is that more and more entrepreneurs seems to be able to work from anywhere and be creative and resourceful in how they earn a living. Products can be send from many locations. The key is being flexible and adapting to your market. (Check out how Ponoko does things here. I use them for my jewelery and they are a very clever bunch. Also ice cream manufacturer Giapo in Auckland, New Zealand has absolutely aced at marketing their product, using social media -very impressive- they have a compelling organic story to boot.)


"the Global Micro brand is sustainable. With it you are not beholden to one boss, one company, one customer, one local economy or even one industry. Your brand develops relationships in enough different places to where your permanent address becomes almost irrelevant".
Hugh Macleod
(the rest of his post here)


Now I have to say: I like that idea very much indeed.