This theme is different today, I saw this in a group posting and it really touched me and I wanted to share this with you...

I send you this as another viewpoint on the need for creative balance in consciousness and how to let it be, with love and blessing, Paul
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(Adapted with kind permission from Ervin Laszlo's new book," The Chaos Point: The World at the Crossroads", Hampton Roads,
2006, ISBN 1571744851)
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At this point in our history, human beings have accumulated unprecedented power, hence responsibility, to decide our destiny. Although the prospect of global breakdown stares us in the face, it is by no means inevitable.

We also have the unprecedented option of choosing a brighter tomorrow. Nothing prevents us from shifting our evolutionary path toward a peaceful and sustainable civilization except our own patterns of thinking and action. The leaders now in power, and the mainstream society they represent have not yet glimpsed a different future for our civilization. Yet many other people are inspired by visions of a global breakthrough that are already emerging at the creative frontiers of our society.

Societies are seldom culturally monolithic in their thinking. This is especially true in eras of innovation and ferment. Those periods spawn a large number of subcultures, or alternative cultures that spring up alongside the prevailing power structure. This is what we see happening today, with some of these alternative cultures devoting themselves to imaginatively rethinking the priorities, values, and behaviors of society, giving particular attention to how we can improve environmental sustainability and human ethics. This sort of fundamental reassessment of how we live, even if overlooked or ignored by those in power, can spark rapid and revolutionary change. While barely visible in the major media, a number of grassroots movements, from global justice to holistic health to spiritual exploration, are already blazing the trail away from the usual assumptions of mainstream culture.

Even the people involved with these movements underestimate their own numbers, in part because most of them go about their business without trying to convert others, and because they lack social and political cohesion. Yet the more serious and sincere of these alternative cultures show promise as catalysts of a social breakthrough. Unlike many subcultures and sects, these people do not relish taking antisocial stances. Rather, they are quietly but profoundly engaged in the world,
challenging accepted beliefs and pursue new avenues of personal and social commitment.

The people drawn to these sometimes-diffuse movements are united by the aspiration to live a more simple, healthy, whole and ethical life. They are appalled by what they see as the heartless impersonality and mindless destructiveness of contemporary society.

The Institute of Noetic Sciences, founded in California by Apollo astronaut Edgar Mitchell to explore the potential for
expanding human consciousness, has documented the following changes in values and behavior among some of these subcultures now emerging in the United States:

* A shift from competition to partnership

* A shift from greed to caring

* A shift from feelings of scarcity to feelings of sufficiency

* A shift from reliance on outer sources of "authority" to inner sources of "knowing"

* A shift from viewing the world as mechanistic system to viewing it as a living system

* And, perhaps most significant of all, a shift from separation to wholeness -- a fresh recognition of the interconnectedness of all aspects of life and reality.

Such a significant redirection of values among a growing number of people merits serious consideration. Yet mainstream
society and media often dismiss these developments as "New Age", not bothering to differentiate between the sincere, positive people in alternative cultures and others more inclined to the narcissism, naivete or hucksterism. To dismiss everyone in these alternative cultures as cult members or "flakes" is to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

No new chapter in human civilization will ever emerge if we just sit around with our hands in our laps waiting for a
holistic convergence that will foster a new way of thinking. A critical mass of people in society must stand up to make it happen. That means you and me, and many others around the planet. And now is the time to get started.

Following are some decisive things you and I can do right now, on a personal and a social basis, to promote the shift
toward peaceful and sustainable civilization.

_1. Let go of old beliefs like the following which no longer make sense._

* Nature is inexhaustible.

* The world operates like a giant mechanism.

* Life is a struggle and only the fittest survive.

* The market is the only means of distributing wealth and benefits.

* The more you earn and consume the more successful and happy you are.

_2. Think globally, act morall_y

In a healthy, high-functioning society, everyone shares a common morality. But what is moral in one culture may be
unacceptable in another. This is a cause of much international tension and conflict today. As countries grow more interdependent, economically and socially, the urgent need surfaces for a morality that can be accepted by all humans, wherever they live.

Rather than "live and let live," we need a universal morality better adapted to the conditions in which humanity finds
itself. One inspiration might be Gandhi's message, "Live more simply, so others can simply live." That advice is even more urgent today than it was in Gandhi's day. Today it's widely recognized that living is not simply a form of punishment, reward or sacrifice. On the contrary, simple living is a sensible choice that offers us greater personal well-being and a deeper sense of meaning in life. The survival of humanity is intimately tied to nurturing a sense of solidarity and co-operation in the global community, as well as a respect for the integrity of nature.

_3. Dream -- and take your dreams seriously_

In 1968, when Senator Robert Kennedy ran for president of the U.S., he said, "Some men see things as they are and say, why? I dream things that never were and say, why not?" To imagine what you want for the world is not foolish nor a waste of time. Today, as we face the choice between a global breakdown or breakthrough, dreams are more important than ever before.

_4. Evolve your consciousness
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Expanding your own sense of consciousness can be a powerful tool in bringing critical changes to the world. How? In a
heightened "decision window" time such as ours, even small shifts can influence the course of civilization. As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

One way to do it that may surprise you is by entering a so-called altered state of consciousness that is typical of deep
meditation and intense prayer. This allows you to experience a profound oneness with the natural world and other people. whether they are next door, in distant parts of the world, or part of generations yet to come -- and realize that the fate of nature and people is not separate from your own fate.

Not everybody, of course, is drawn to deep prayer or meditation. Fortunately, other paths lead to the same place. Another route is to get in touch with our bodies. Traditionally we use our bodies as we use our cars or computers, giving them commands to take us where we want to go and do what we want to have done. We live in our heads. We can break free of that cerebral imprisonment with yoga, tai chi, qi gong, Ayurvedic exercises, as well as simple breathing techniques or deep relaxation. Even a daily walk can help.

The stresses and strains of existence also have an impact on our emotional lives. Negative feelings such as anger, hate, fear, anxiety, suspicion, jealousy, contempt and indifference dominate the tenor of modern existence. Negative experiences generate negative attitudes that create further negative experiences. This cycle must be broken. Take stock of your feelings and make a conscious effort to transform negative emotions. It may not be easy to replace hate with love, suspicion with trust, contempt with respect, jealousy with appreciation and anxiety with self-assurance, yet it can be done. All the spiritual traditions of the world offer ways to do it.

Or try secular techniques, such as therapy or support groups, that allow you to share your fears and hopes. Positive emotions can be generated by opening ourselves to experiences of nature, beholding the beauty of a sunset, or making time to relax and play with friends and family.

Addressing a joint session of the U.S. Congress in February of 1990, Vaclav Havel, then the president of Czechoslovakia,
said, "Without a global revolution in the sphere of human consciousness, nothing will change for the better... and the catastrophe toward which this world is headed -- the ecological, social, demographic or general breakdown of civilization -- will be unavoidable. "

Havel did not mean to discourage us with pessimism, but challenged us to re-examine our thinking and evolve our
consciousness. If we do so, the brave but small movement seeking a more holistic, peaceful and sustainable civilization could turn into a powerful force that washes away the old mindset that's ruled the world for too long. We can change the world and leave our children with a better place to live.

Our theme is Surrender. This third week of the month we work with our being
and intention for surrender. Following today's affirmation are comments about the affirmation
and suggestions for your process. Make this a grace-filled day!

Surrender and grace enhance all my thoughts and feelings.

About Today's Affirmation
Today's affirmation is the last of the Being/Intending Affirmations, so it is fitting that we associate
surrender with grace. At times, surrender can look very sloppy and ungraceful. We often have an
expectation that "grace" is beautiful in a particular way. Yet the messy crumbling of false beliefs is
elegant -- although we may need the passing of time to recognize and appreciate the elegance.
Surrender and grace enhance all the parts of our lives, if we let them.

About Your Process
Take a deep breath and consider anything else you desire to understand or know or intend before taking action with respect to surrender. Undoubtedly during this month you have already experienced many acts of surrender -- you are not expected to wait until the third week to act! However, next time we shift the focus of the affirmations to actions that are based on the exploration of surrender in a
consciousness that is well-grounded in intention and has been cleared of non-surrender.
Copyright Jeanie Marshall, Empowerment Consultant