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29 gifts challenge
June 2009 
29 Gifts/my world/achieving world peace
Posted on Aug 23rd, 2008
by 
Nicole
Nicole
emma got me going on the 29-day_giving_challenge,
which for me has become an on-going meditation on
what giving means in my life, and what each moment
is asking of me, in terms of giving.
For me, it is much more important to live the challenge
than talk specifically about what I have given through it,
but interestingly enough, I have been hearing a call to
give a lot to myself, as I had worn myself out and have
spent the past two weeks being ill then depressed.
So I have been, as well as giving more time and
attention than usual to my daughter and those around
me, nurturing myself until I am fully well in body, mind and spirit.
So, with this in my mind and heart, early this morning
I was chatting with a Gaian friend, and casually
mentioned that the way our world is is a reflection
of who we are inside collectively. For some reason,
I began to pour out details of my understanding of that -
that everything we see in the fabricated world reflects the
glory of the heights of human beauty and creativity as well
as the depths of selfishness, hatred and destructiveness.
My friend asked if it is the fault of an individual that there is war.
I explained that I and every other "I" am responsible for the
running of my life. I am responsible for my choices and
what comes of those. I am not then responsible for the
choices others make, but because we are all one,
everything we do affects each other.
As I think further on the ramifications of this, i know that
who and what I am, and the choices I make, are reflected clearly in my life
- in small ways, by the appearance and condition of my house/car,
their contents, and grounds (rather scruffy lawn,
gardens and driveway, very very messy basement appropriately,
being an accurate reflection of my unconscious mind),
- in larger ways, in the ways that my children are that are
an outcome of who I am and the choices i have made
in how I have brought them up and modeled life for them,
in the way I run my learning centre and the international association
and in all that i do and say and am in the relationships i have with people i know.
- And at the root of all, how i see myself, and how i relate to God.
This is my world. You have your world. Each of us has a world
where "I" rule and create either a heaven or a hell,
where the outer reflects the inner.
If each of us were to love and accept all the parts of ourself,
including all our shadow elements, if each of us were
to love and accept and treat with respect and love everyone
in our life and our thoughts, and live a life of peace and love
in our work and mission, the whole world would be at peace.
It is not, because very few of us are truly at peace within ourselves.
Most of us are very broken and conflicted inside.
I am very broken and conflicted inside as well as having
many tremendous gifts and skills. There are parts of me I struggle
to love and cherish and as a consequence there are people
I have difficulty loving and respecting, and with whom I often run into conflict.
The outer relationships reflect the inner relationship.
As a Kumon instructor, I often hear the company talking about
bringing world peace through Kumon. This seems crazy, but there
is a sense in which it could help. If we as instructors learn
the right lessons from Kumon, in terms of living
a peaceful and self-disciplined life and consistently working
toward living our full potential, and model and seek to instil these in our students,
we are participating in the movement toward world peace.
But I understand more clearly than usual that to be truly effective,
I must exert my greatest efforts toward world peace in the realm
over which I have the greatest amount of control - myself, and my world.
The more successful I am in my world,
the better a model and a light I will be,
and the more authentic and effective I will be
in my relationships and in my work and mission.
There is nothing new in any of what I have written,
but it seemed important to me to write today,
and if it helps any of you who read it, I am glad.
which for me has become an on-going meditation on
what giving means in my life, and what each moment
is asking of me, in terms of giving.
For me, it is much more important to live the challenge
than talk specifically about what I have given through it,
but interestingly enough, I have been hearing a call to
give a lot to myself, as I had worn myself out and have
spent the past two weeks being ill then depressed.
So I have been, as well as giving more time and
attention than usual to my daughter and those around
me, nurturing myself until I am fully well in body, mind and spirit.
So, with this in my mind and heart, early this morning
I was chatting with a Gaian friend, and casually
mentioned that the way our world is is a reflection
of who we are inside collectively. For some reason,
I began to pour out details of my understanding of that -
that everything we see in the fabricated world reflects the
glory of the heights of human beauty and creativity as well
as the depths of selfishness, hatred and destructiveness.
My friend asked if it is the fault of an individual that there is war.
I explained that I and every other "I" am responsible for the
running of my life. I am responsible for my choices and
what comes of those. I am not then responsible for the
choices others make, but because we are all one,
everything we do affects each other.
As I think further on the ramifications of this, i know that
who and what I am, and the choices I make, are reflected clearly in my life
- in small ways, by the appearance and condition of my house/car,
their contents, and grounds (rather scruffy lawn,
gardens and driveway, very very messy basement appropriately,
being an accurate reflection of my unconscious mind),
- in larger ways, in the ways that my children are that are
an outcome of who I am and the choices i have made
in how I have brought them up and modeled life for them,
in the way I run my learning centre and the international association
and in all that i do and say and am in the relationships i have with people i know.
- And at the root of all, how i see myself, and how i relate to God.
This is my world. You have your world. Each of us has a world
where "I" rule and create either a heaven or a hell,
where the outer reflects the inner.
If each of us were to love and accept all the parts of ourself,
including all our shadow elements, if each of us were
to love and accept and treat with respect and love everyone
in our life and our thoughts, and live a life of peace and love
in our work and mission, the whole world would be at peace.
It is not, because very few of us are truly at peace within ourselves.
Most of us are very broken and conflicted inside.
I am very broken and conflicted inside as well as having
many tremendous gifts and skills. There are parts of me I struggle
to love and cherish and as a consequence there are people
I have difficulty loving and respecting, and with whom I often run into conflict.
The outer relationships reflect the inner relationship.
As a Kumon instructor, I often hear the company talking about
bringing world peace through Kumon. This seems crazy, but there
is a sense in which it could help. If we as instructors learn
the right lessons from Kumon, in terms of living
a peaceful and self-disciplined life and consistently working
toward living our full potential, and model and seek to instil these in our students,
we are participating in the movement toward world peace.
But I understand more clearly than usual that to be truly effective,
I must exert my greatest efforts toward world peace in the realm
over which I have the greatest amount of control - myself, and my world.
The more successful I am in my world,
the better a model and a light I will be,
and the more authentic and effective I will be
in my relationships and in my work and mission.
There is nothing new in any of what I have written,
but it seemed important to me to write today,
and if it helps any of you who read it, I am glad.
Access: PublicTagged with: 29 Gifts Challenge, giving, self, others, Kumon, my world, world peace, reflections, created reality, collective
A honest blog…I do feel there are some areas of confusion however I believe that :
Slowly slowly O mind,
Everything in own pace happens
Gardner may water a hundred times,
Fruit arrives only in its season
indeed. i would be honoured if you would point out where you see confusion. love to you
“Think” …. the Master said :-)
However, here are just TWO hints (there are other areas too)
1.Under the influence of false ego one thinks himself to be the doer of activities, while in reality all the activities are carried out by nature as natural processes - Bhagvad Gita 3:27
2. Bringing up children is like gardening, you may only provide the right soil, water, and air, but the flower will blossom only when it is time, and what kind of flower it would be, depends on HIM
ok, totally agree with you on 2), thanks for giving me an opening for clarifying that I know my children are who they are and how they develop is not wholly in my hands, I just meant the aspects I provide in terms of nurture, upbringing and environment, exactly as you say.
in terms of 1), I'm still a believer in free will. That seems to indicate an utter determinism such that no one ever makes a choice. So I guess we see that very differently. and of course that would have all kinds of other ramifications, so your other points probably include those?
i will continue to think :) love to you!
Interesitng words nicole regarding free will, I think I will need to clarify what I mean because (1) does not imply fatalism or determinism at all. My explanation would perhaps be pretty long……
hmmmmmmmmm … if I find time, maybe another ”profound ” (<smile>) blog?
There are several other areas too (other than the two hints, I mean), I earnestly request yout to think
I really love you for what you are …. and I MEAN IT
You are amazing
Hi Nicole,
I had worn myself out and have spent the past two weeks being ill then depressed. It's good to know that you are trying to slow down and take care of yourself. It is difficult to be truly nurturing when our own basic needs are unmet. We give out of abundance, not dearth. I wholeheartedly agree that we cannot create peace when we ourselves do not have inner peace. Hugs.
It's quite rejuvenating when we dwell awhile in that “kingdom” within and the problems without seem to fade in intensity. When we bring the simple peace and joy found only within and superimpose it upon the external world, things almost seem to change shape (even physically, strangely enough!).
I could be wrong, but it seems you are describing that process?
Peace Angel,
mike S
Eli, looking forward to another profound blog :) - thanks for your kind words, I know they are sincere.and am very touched by them…
Lenore, it's good to have this kind of support and affirmation - big hugs back
Mike, actually, you are introducing a new dimension I was not thinking of, but I am very grateful for it, because I believe it enhances what I was saying beautifully. I love you!
but in your special way, you made it new
thanks, Tom - hugs
I loved your blog -your sharing of you -and I feel I have come to know
you more because of it.
Caring and love
Sandy
that's very dear of you Sandy! love to you
Bows to Eli for a very wise blog response explaining the religious history of free will and determinisim - highly recommend to all to read as further balance to my blog - http://eliroberson.gaia.com/blog/2008/8/fate_free_will_and_the_laws_of_karma
Yes, this is a beautiful blog, Nicole, so honest and raw and just where you are right now. These words moved me: There are parts of me I struggle
to love and cherish and as a consequence there are people
I have difficulty loving and respecting, and with whom I often run into conflict.
Yes, yes! It's so important to see that realization, and to realize that our “work” has to do with loving & cherishing the inner parts with which we struggle. To truly learn to honor those parts of self….and then, so often, the world mirrors back to us the love instead of the conflict. Then, then….world peace is just a breath away. Blessings, dear friend & a special hug to the struggling parts this morning.
Thank you Nicole for your most kind and friendly gesture of linking my blog to your beautiful blog..I sincerely hope that my blog complements and balances your beautiful blog, and that all the kind readers leave their wise comments therein for my own learning and enrichment.
Yes, you have helped. In ways you possibly haven't imagined. I thank you Nicole.
And Mike's words work with me….
Sherri
A blog like this reminds me how different we are. You become depressed because you wear yourself out. I start off depressed and thus avoid wearing myself out to the degree that you do. You're a much more high energy person and so you can easily push yourself too far, maybe expecting too much from your power of choice. And I'm a bit opposite. Such is life.
Hope all is well with you!
Kathy, yes, I knew you would zero in on that, since you constantly remind me of these truths through your beautiful blogs and our conversations. i love you!
Eli, I am the one who is honoured and privileged. hugs!
Sherri, I'm glad Eli and I were of help!
Ben, we are indeed very different. I'm glad you are so self aware that you take good care of yourself. I will learn to to better for myself :) All is well, dear one. It is challenging at times - today I went to a fantastic workshop - I will blog about it tomorrow :) love you buddy
love you, nicole.
(((((((Nishtha))))))) my lovely one!
i zeroed in on the “world peace” bit…
well, because the notion of “educating” children, indoctrinating them into society, teaching them to be “good” citizens, that goes against having a peaceful planet. it won't be until all people, even the children, are free to be self-governing that there will finally be world peace. So long as there are people who think they know better than someone else what that someone else should do, or believe, or think, or behave, there will continue to be war and suffering.
thank you dear one, I count on my friends to help provide more balance and perspective to my thoughts. much love to you
boogie, you have put into words a sentiment that i have been carrying around in my body for the past six or seven years… Self-Governing! Yes!
I believe that, to allow people to become self-governing, we need to find a way to give everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, enough Space - physical, emotional and mental - to figure out how they Fit and Flow within the river of All that is around them, organic and inorganic…
I kind of think of Peace as much like the electron of an atom that scientists try to measure to identify its location… ever elusive but with more and more sophisticate equipment/thinking, we feel like we know, or kind of know, where we might find it… ;-)
Thanks Nicole for getting this current going. :-)
beautiful, nishtha! yes, giving space is essential … my thanks goes to all of you for deepening and expanding the current!