Village

Change the Universe

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The mystic and poet William Blake asks us to see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower, hold infinity in the palm of our hand and eternity in an hour.

The entire universe is inside all of us. The entire universe changes when we change. Everything in existence feels the ripple of our development because we are all part of the whole. That’s a radical and powerful realization.

In today’s world, we get up every day and have interactions where there are opportunities to grow. Interactions with our kids, spouse, friends, work colleagues, pets, cars, nature – EVERY moment is an opportunity to grow and change the universe. Wow.

William Blake and Gandhi were onto the same thing. Gandhi said ’Be the change you want to see in the world’. Here’s my spin on that quote – Be the change you want to see in the Universe.

Now get out there and change the Universe.

The space between the notes

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Music is the space between the notes. From Mozart to Adele, it comes down to the pauses and inhalations, which allows the music to flourish.

Breaks and a breath in life are the same thing. Whether it’s first thing in the morning or before a meeting. Stop, pause and breathe – then ACT. Let your music play.

God’s temples

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We went walking through the Redwoods last weekend. It’s not surprising that certain groves of trees have been revered as sacred all over world since the beginning of time. They seem to be gateways to the unseen world around us.

The groves were God’s first temples. – William Cullen Bryant, A Forest Hymn

Breaking bread 

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Sharing a meal with friends is an age old way to strengthen bonds and be in the moment with people you love. Cook, laugh, talk, savor the food, drink and bookmark the memory. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Crazy talk

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“But we’re never gonna survive, unless
We get a little crazy
No we’re never gonna survive, unless
We are a little crazy”

– SEAL

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.

 – ALICE IN WONDERLAND – LEWIS CARROLL

Momentum in the wrong direction

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It’s a lot easier getting into something than getting out.

Buying something is easier than returning it.

Hellos are easier than goodbyes.

Interviewing is easier than resigning.

Hiring is easier than firing.

Signing a lease is easier than breaking a lease.

Falling pregnant is easier than raising a child.

Dating is easier than breaking up.

Starting from scratch is easier than fixing something that’s broken.

Dropping bombs is easier that rebuilding a war torn city.

Life’s operating system is wired to make us commit to something. It’s not wired to help us make the right choice, it’s our hands on the tiller. 

Momentum is a powerful thing, but be careful when it’s in the wrong direction. When it’s right, you’ll never look back.