Global leadership, now!

What is reality? Is it this loaf of bread, baked last night? The coffee, I just spilled on the seat cushion, or the butter left from a dropped knife? All of these events happened.

As time passes events become open to interpretation. Beliefs, assumptions and theories challenge reality. A truth for one person, a falsehood for another.

Humans strive for knowledge and understanding, so that they may improve, move forward. Surely this is a good thing? Unfortunately, as a species we are doomed to fail. There is no common direction, other than the pre-programmed need to reproduce and survive.

Civilisations that came before us, thousands of years ago, masters of their time, did not survive. How are we any different? We waste so much time and energy on errant quests. If the leader of a country is incapable of doing their job, replace them with someone who can. Why do we care if individuals survive supposed scandals, brought down on them by the wrath of critics and the press?

Ultimately, the only reality we need to concern ourselves, we are at the mercy of the Universe, the Earth, and Mother Nature. Even though it may be too late, surely it is better to unite in saving the planet rather than focussing on petty power squabbles.

We need global leadership, now!

Mossman Gorge

20131015-080439.jpg

A cooling retreat from the 32oC heat in downtown Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge offers rainforest walks and a waterhole for swimming. Not many people opted for the 2km circuit walk up the side of the gorge down to the creek and back up again. The earthy smells of fertile soil, decaying vegetation and unpolluted air was intoxicating.

Mossman Gorge website

Beneath

20130928-143247.jpg
There is nothing wrong with beneath.
Sometimes I prefer to dwell here
Among earthly things to amuse,
Running the risk of being caught
In tangled grip of undergrowth.
Too much to distract and let go,
Impeding my return aloft.
Inner light shines through the darkness,
Showing me the way to rejoin
The path, to soar above again.

Peace in art

20130521-193205.jpg
The theme of this month’s Bloggers for Peace post is art that demonstrates peace. Nothing sprang to mind so I decided I would create something. I have chosen an image of the Earth viewed from space to show peace at the macro level, without the Earth we would not exist.

Inspired by lines from the song The Windmills of your Mind, “and the world is like an apple whirling silently in space”, I chose an apple tree to represent peace at the micro level.

Without peace the eco system that the deciduous apple tree relies upon will be unbalanced. In addition to sunlight and warm temperatures the apple tree’s life cycle is dependent upon the four seasons and their varying climates.

During spring the apple tree sprouts new branches, foliage and blossom. Bees and insects are attracted by the flower’s nectar. They pollinate the flowers by transferring pollen to the stigmas of the blooms. Following pollination the apple tree’s production begins. Summer heralds the apple tree in full bloom followed by the development of the fruit. During this process, the tree also produces new growth for the next growing period.

Apples become fully ripe with complete colour in autumn. The fruit becomes too heavy for the branches and drops. Leaves change colour and fall and the tree sheds its old and weak branches and stems. The apple tree slumbers during the winter months.

From seed to the first fruit takes between 6 to 10 years, reflecting 6 to 10 years of peace. The benefits of peace are an annual harvest of apples and the growth of new trees to feed generations to come.

“Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel”. Peace is demonstrated by the living art of nature.

Balance

20130309-094410.jpg
For no apparent reason other than I was trying to work out how to weigh up the different aspects of my existence, I realised that achieving balance is essential for peace of mind.

In everyday life we are told that we should:
– Enjoy all things in moderation
– Get sufficient sleep and exercise
– Have a balanced diet
– Achieve a healthy work, life balance

Librans are often described as being the balanced sign of the zodiac. I can happily report the complete opposite is true. As the scale pans of life seesaw up and down I have found that awareness of the present moment is the only way to deal with the seemingly constant momentum.

I am naturally drawn to the elements of air, earth and water, as a large proportion of my existence is spent in grounded thought and feeling. Thankfully, fire seems to pop in when I need a boost of energy, passion and perseverance.

As with most things in my life this post is evolving into something I did not foresee when I started writing.

In the physical world reality is limited to this moment. The wonderful thing about life is that this moment is as vast at the Universe itself and everything is connected by this moment.

I experience a feeling of ecstasy at the moment when on a swing, the seat is at its highest, just before it begins its descent. I am reminded of this feeling in dreams while soaring above the ground. In waking moments I experience it when I have helped someone else, enjoyed a moment of connection with another or experienced something wondrous. To me this is the moment of balance. Is this the point of balance between the physical and the spiritual worlds?

References:
http://webelieveinlight.org/2013/03/07/just-keep-swimming-swimming-swimming/
http://elfkat.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/e-is-for-what-is-your-elemental-affinity/

Time for Rebirth

20130123-074122.jpg

Birth rates explode, highways choke, buildings soar,
Man’s pollution adds to global warming,
Nature responds with electric storming,
Power struggles between nations bring war,
Plundered resources stripped from the Earth pour
Economies fall, others are booming,
“There’s nothing wrong the data is zooming!”
Always the call to provide more, more, more

Evolution speaks it needs a new deal,
A time bomb is ticking to bring rebirth,
Help needs investment, yes it can be bought,
There’s mounting support from the around Earth,
Our planet needs time to renew, to heal,
Is it worth bothering? Surely we aught!

(c) Robert Jones 2013, All Rights Reserved

Celebrating the elementals at Yuletide/Litha

Being mid-Summer in Australia we are celebrating Litha, the Summer solstice while the northern hemisphere celebrates Yuletide. Over the last few days the water temperature in the pool has been a comfortable 28-30oC.

20121224-105352.jpg

Afternoons spent frolicking with the undines of the pool flow perfectly into evenings on the deck surrounded by the gnomes of the Earth while celebrating the salamanders by candlelight and honouring the sylphs of the air with sandalwood incense.

20121219-221354.jpg

Blessed be to all.

Memory Motivation Momentum

autumn leaves in Melbourne

sunlight at dusk

My thoughts and memories are like leaves on a tree, they form and develop into buds before bursting into life. Drawing strength from the tree the leaves in turn provide nourishment from the sun. In time the leaves like memories fade and die, to be absorbed back into the cycle of lie.

How would you describe your thoughts?