Focus on what you want, NOT on what you don't want

noreply@blogger.com (Neil Garvey) — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 03:14:00 +0000

I found this suggestion from a friend in my email box this week: “Maybe you can start moving the magazine into a more activist stance … Anti Nuclear, the Debt Crisis, Vaccines, Monsanto.”

I thought that’s what CREATIONS MAGAZINE has been doing for 25 years – unless my friend means that we lack anger and vitriol. Activism manifests in various forms. One need not necessarily be militant. We’re in the business of promoting sustainable and ethical business practices, organic farming, vegetarianism, alternative heath care, clean, renewable energy, environmental consciousness and living a spiritually based, heart-inspired life.

It has been by design that the tenor of the magazine be positive, inspirational and uplifting. We lean toward articles and poetry that are thought-provoking – encouraging our readers to become “Spiritual Activists.” Spiritual Activists are those folks who align their thoughts and words with action. Putting one’s good intentions into practice is what actually creates positive change. As author, Guy Finley says, Wisdom is the seed of freedom, but only in action do we see it flower.

There are endless outlets for gloom-and-doom – just turn on the TV or pick up any newspaper. But that’s not what we do here. Besides, as many of us have learned from the Law of Attraction, we attract into our lives that which we focus on. So we focus on those things we want to see in the world, and not on what we don’t want. Our contributors espouse the values that help to create a healthy, heart-centered planet. For example, we’re against war and violence toward all beings. So we’re pro peace and live a vegan lifestyle. We strive to be the change we wish to see in the world.

This is not some “airy-fairy” New Age notion. As war has been the norm throughout man’s history, a heart-centered approach is what’s been necessary and vital for every age.

SterlingHouse Publisher thought my book (based on CREATIONS) vital enough in fact, that they published it as The Vital Principle (released last week & available on Amazon.com).

I must remember to thank my friend for giving me the opportunity to plug both the 25^th Anniversary of CREATIONS MAGAZINE and for the release of my book, The Vital Principle.

Get Back In The Game

noreply@blogger.com (SterlingHouse Publisher, Inc.) — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:39:00 +0000

"We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw

Wintry conditions not withstanding, Opening Day for Major League Baseball will be reprised in stadiums throughout the country this week. Growing up in New York City, with the Yankees and the Mets, Opening Day held all the anticipation of Christmas morning. But as the years passed, Santa bypassed my address, and Baseball was no longer the love of my life. Until last summer.

At the age of 51, my first love was rekindled. But I’m not talking merely as a spectator or baseball fan. I mean playing baseball – as in hardball. I have rediscovered the sheer fun of playing a sport that I had not enjoyed since I was 16. Sure, I’ve played some slow pitch softball, but that, I assure you is a completely different animal. We, in the Men’s Senior Baseball League, may have lost a “step or two” (or five), but it’s real baseball nonetheless, with basically all of the rules, and much of the competitive intensity intact.

My only regret, I suppose, is that I didn’t do this sooner. I certainly spent several years thinking about it, but I would always conveniently convince myself that this was nothing more than a foolish and dangerous notion. However, when I was finally ready to be completely honest with myself, the truth hit me that: 1) I was not willing to commit the necessary time and effort to make this happen, and 2) most paralyzing for me, was my fear that I would not be physically able to “keep up.”

Needing to be right, I was initially “happy” to confirm my fears: I had waited too long; there was no turning back the clock. After a few games, an assortment of injuries and many miscues later, I told my wife that I was done. I had given it a shot, but figured it best to spare myself any further humiliation, and to spare my coach and teammates any further damage.

Well, a couple of days later following my “last” practice, my coach tells me that I’m the starting shortstop. I changed my plans.

Baseball is just a game, but the lesson for me is real. A part of myself had gone missing for far too long: the simple fun of playing, and the challenge of the competition. This is something that truly makes me feel alive and happy, and helps to restore a semblance of balance in my life. Every game and practice is literally a mini vacation – on the field, I think of nothing but baseball.

For me it’s baseball. But any interest or activity that nourishes your spirit can do the trick.
I think it’s time more folks get back in the game and find what’s been missing in your life. I recommend, though, you don’t wait 35 years.

Neil Garvey's Author Journal

Focus on what you want, NOT on what you don't want

Get Back In The Game