Ancient, Timeless, Wisdom

I had a vision, the trees were on fire....

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:30:00 +0000

I had this inspiration today to write this, I may keep going with it, we'll see.

I had a vision, the trees were on fire, the majestic cedars roared with the heat and intensity of a thousand suns. Chaos ensued in what was once the tranquil forest of my youth. I fled and left my innocence to burn, ash and smoke rose into the clear midday sky. I cried hot tears of agony, my heart raced and I ran as fast as I could away from the hellish inferno.

When I reached the village I saw my mother and ran to her, I grabbed her with all my might and buried my face in her breast and wept. I felt tears run down her face as she along with my brothers and sisters watched the trees buckle under the gnawing blaze. And then I saw my father and the other men of the village run toward the forest with buckets of water. My Father shouted commands to the other men as a general to his soldiers. They threw their meager offerings of water toward the fire god and shouted for us to flee, our village would soon be destroyed, turned to ash and dust with the rest of the woods.

In an instance the wind changed direction, all of the men including my father vanished in the flame as it raced toward our homes, our land, our dreams. We ran as fast as we could toward the hills to higher ground, all that we possessed in this life was lost.

We walked through the night, we were many miles from the closest village. All of us who escaped huddled together under the harvest moon and wept. We had lost our fathers, some of us had lost our older brothers, our mothers had lost their lovers and closet companions. Desolation settled in on us like the howling wolves wailing from far off in the night. "Oh Lebanon, why have you left us desolate, we bury our faces in your damp earth and moan under the weight of our many sorrows, oh Lebanon, we are consumed."

We awoke to the morning sun cascading over the soft mountain meadow, still huddled together, our faces streaked with dirt stained rivers, our eyes sunken. Somehow the dew of the brown grass nourished us and we rose to our feet, huddled together and poured out our hearts to God, Ar-Rahim, Ar-Rahim....have mercy.

Love is all around you!

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:10:00 +0000

Love is all around you, in every blade of grass, in every early morning drop of dew, in the golden rays of sunlight that warm your skin, in the moon and the stars. All of creation is infused with love, and to this day even in it's battered & bloodied form, the Earth still brings forth love manifest in the springtime Lilacs & the early morning song of the Blackbird.

What Do You Allow To Define "You"?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:02:00 +0000

I have a question for you: when you think of yourself and all of the collective components that you believe define your life up to this point, what are they? Take a few minutes and compile a list of all the things that you feel define your life and be honest. If you are a cancer survivor or live with a certain disease, list it. If you have survived some type of trauma or abuse list it. If you are a smoker, put it on the list. Anything that is a regular part of your collective experience up to this point should be written down.

When you feel that your list is a fairly accurate description of who you are, meditate on each item listed. Can you trace the orgin of each of these items on your list? What events led you down the various paths where these things integrated themselves into your being. How do you feel when you think of these things?

Now, again meditating on the list, do these things empower your being or do they suck power from you? From experience, being in a place where I let pain define a major part of my existence, I was unaware of how much energy I put into this Pain Body and how energy much I took from others to keep me going. Eckart Tolle define this as our "Pain Bodies". Are you free in your body and mind or are you allowing your pain body to dominate you and others around you?

There is a relatively new Field of cellular science headed up by folks like Bruce Lipton and Rupert Sheldake that suggest that are cells are not pre-determined genetically as previously thought, but our cells react to outside influence coming from our environment. In a nutshell, your world view and the things you believe about yourself are literally activating your cells toward certain types of behavior. They act as a type of tuning fork moving us around to match our thoughts and beliefs.

For instance, this may explain why a woman who has suffered abuse all of her life on a subconscious level keeps finding herself in the same situations over and over even though she swears not to make the same mistakes. On a subconscious level she does not believe she can change or be free.

Perhaps disease and illness are not determined by our genes as previously thought, but may be are influenced to believe certain things are our parents put in our brains at an early age. For example, "well, your aunt Edna died of this or that, so did her parents, I have a high risk of it and so do you." I believe for a child, this fear puts them into an adrenal mode of being and may eventually move them in the direction of a certain disease or mental illness. I do not know this one hundred percent and I do not believe it's true in every instance, but I do believe that our thoughts increase the likelihood of inheriting certain diseases and illnesses.

In the next blog post I want to revisit the things on our list and begin to change the way in which we interrupt ourselves and our existence. I believe that if we can change our perception and reprogram toxic ideas about who we are whole Pandora's Box of goodness and blessing will be opened up for us.

Related Articles: From Andrea Hess "Imaginary Obstacles"

A Thought....

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 02:13:00 +0000

Suppose for a second that you are weightless, floating without physicality in a spiritual domain without any type of dimension or local. Time does not exist as there is nothing to contrast your experience upon. You have no sense of self or "I" and no needs or concerns. You are without hunger, and you know not tiredness or fatigue. You exist as one with your surroundings..ask yourself now, what is reality, weight or weightlessness?

Where Have I Been?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 04:53:00 +0000

I have neglected my blog for the past three weeks or so, I have been writing music again and busting tail to get some flutes out. I REALLY need to write though BAD...not sure where to start?

A Beautiful Franciscan Story Of Mercy & Forgiveness

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Here is a beautiful story concerning the Franciscans and forgiveness, please read this and take it to heart. Peace friends and enjoy the beauty of the day!

Across from the friary at Montecasale is a hill, which had been used in the years before Francis’s time as the site of a fortress. Frederick I, called Barbarossa, had torn the fortress down about the time Francis was born, and the hill site was abandoned. It was the perfect place to watch the road, however, and after the friars had settled in the hermitage of Montecasale, a trio of thieves had decided to live on that hill and rob those passing by on that road. They were violent and much feared, but even thievery is subject to ups and downs, and even for thieves things can get desperate, so that one time they found themselves hungry, and decided to go over to the hermitage and ask the friars for alms. Good Brother Angelo received them graciously until he learned who they were; then he sent them off angrily. The thought, that thieves should steal even the alms of God’s poor!
Francis, however, did not approve. He sent Angelo, who I am sure was not all that keen, to seek out the thieves at their home and give them something to eat. And also to ask them to think about their lives. This they did, and eventually came over to the friary and became friars. The hill where they lived is still marked with three crosses.
Before they came over to the friary, however, they spent a hard night on that hill. The three had decided to give up their life of crime, but a question nagged at them: would God forgive them for all the evil that had done? Could they dare to hope for God’s mercy? Since they could not answer this question, they decided to go to the friary and ask Francis. The great miracle, I think, is that Francis was able to help them trust in God’s power and desire to forgive them.

Listening

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:52:00 +0000

I want to talk a little about what it means to listen, to really with your whole heart, mind and soul listen. Listening with your whole being without feeling the need to interject, correct, advise, requires and inner peace, a quiet gentle confidence in one's self that is humble and is free of ego. I am working on this and still have much to learn.

I have felt the need to listen more to what others are saying and in doing so I find my spirit grows stronger and brighter. I am filled more when I talk less and let others share their joys, hurts, pains and losses. I can really tune in and silently offer healing and hope in an intuitive sense.

Listening is love and respect. Often times people do not want you to try and fix their troubles, they just want to be heard, and by being heard a person can find a glimmer of hope in a world bombarded by media, movies, books magazines pulling us in one direction or another. Being heard affirms ones worth, ones potential, that they matter enough to another human being to simply be heard.

Being heard is empowering, listening is love and respect, listening is a gift, try it, I think you will agree with me. Peace!

From My Window..

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:32:00 +0000

From My Window - Michael Howard

From this window of mine can see the world,

in the mist of the morning light.

When evening comes, the setting sun slips behind the trees,

the stars they shine and fill the nighttime sky with song.

In Silent communion, my weary soul finds shelter from the storm.

When I'm tired and worn and all my strength is gone, it's here I

search my soul, as the gentle breeze sings the sweetest lullaby.

Gazing from my window to the heavens above,

like a southbound train I'll fly when the seasons change.

Ebm Pentatonic Flute Demo By Michael

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 06:17:00 +0000

Michael-Workin-Over-The-Ebm-Pentatonic-Bamboo-Flute - Hosted by Putfile.com

Weakness..

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 02:14:00 +0000

I'm writing out of pure will which is not easy, but, at least I'm writing and I'm at peace with that. The topic that resides in the for front of my mind is weakness. These past few days I feel open and vulnerable, like my nerves are live wires bristling with electrical charge.

I feel open and exposed finding myself bouncing between drawing completely inward and cloistering my self off, (protection) and talking way too much about anything and everything to keep myself open to the world. The bottom line is, I'm dealing with
change and uncertainty: a possible job change, a possible move and issues within my household that are at times more than I can handle or want to handle.

I love my family dearly, but there are times when I have no more strength or adequate explanations for my distance, there is a part of me deep inside that wants protection, even from those closest to me. It's strange to talk like this being that I'm usually the strong one for everybody else, now I feel spent, like I need a season soaking up spiritual sunlight in some far away Atlantis. Have a beautiful weekend friends and stay positive.

I was pretending to be floating strong
But I was sinking
In to still water

Eyes closed
All of the rest will flow

Then out of darkness I found I could still feel
Something good
Out of the woods

Eyes closed
All of the rest will flow

One simple thing that I never could see
But now I know
All of the rest will flow

Stay with me my angel I found you
Now I don't feel low
All of the rest will flow

Eyes closed
All of the rest will flow

-Steven Wilson

Longing To Return..

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:21:00 +0000

When my heart turns cold and I chased the old
Standard lie, forgive me.
When my conscious calls me to leave it behind,
Well did I, forgive me.

As of lately I've had a difficult time writing, my mind has been blocked and I've been gazing at a blank canvas waiting for the energy and creativity to return. Yet I still find my self in this spot of uncertainty. I have always said from the beginning of this blog that I would not only share my strengths, but my weaknesses as well. I have no super powers, I'm simply and ordinary person battling the ebb-n-flow of this crazy life we all live and I'm just as influenced as the next guy by my environment and my relationships.

Some Deep introspection has revealed pockets of anger and resentment that has worked it's way into my interior person and set up camp. Lately, I have been easily offended, had trust broken on one or two recent occasions (which is the hardest for me) and lost sleep over the changing economy and the need to protect myself and my family, which tends to dredge up the old "fight or flight" mentality obscuring evolutions greatest gifts such as mercy, compassion, patience, caring, long suffering, I'm sure you get my point.

The lyrics above and below so eloquently speak what I cannot right now, in them you will see and hear what I cannot express in my own words presently. But those of you who are closest to me know that I am not one to back down or stop, I am not a quitter, I will find my healing and wholeness even if it takes me through the fire and refines me like pure gold. I will find healing and continue my evolution toward wisdom and the greater gifts of light. Peace my friends, I love you all.

Find me in these fields alone,
Crusted with the salt of my ways,
Rinse me with the motion of sweet water,
The silky rush of Your cleansing stream.

I turn my face towards the sun
Too feel the heat and cool wind blow.
Reminding me as I touch your shoulder
Awakening me from some selfish dream.

I face the fog in the Autumn,
The midnight moon weaving her chain.
You trace me deep in this valley
Repeating a familiar refrain, forgive me.

When my heart turns cold and I chased the old
Standard lie, forgive me.
When my conscious calls me to leave it behind,
Well did I, forgive me.

Take me in I'll sit at Your feet,
Live to tell all You have done,
Could I find a rose in mid-December,
A sign of peace for those passing by.

I turn my eyes toward the Son,
And a vision of a world yet to be,
When hope will be awarded living substance
And Heaven kisses Earth in reply.

I face the fog in the Autumn,
The midnight moon weaving her chain.
You trace me deep in this valley
Repeating a familiar refrain, forgive me.

When my heart turns cold and I chased the old
Standard lie, forgive me.
When my conscious calls me to leave it behind,
Well did I, forgive me.

-Phil Keaggy

Golden...

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:45:00 +0000

A crack of golden light bewteen the blades of green and brown,

stillness descends, hue shifts to orange, deeper still,

To live in this place perpetually and not lose a single moment

hatred would be no more,

The blades shift between silence, and gentle sound, an evening breeze

moves around body and soul...

Some Time Off..

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:51:00 +0000

I have been away from my blog for awhile and I know some of you have been wonderning where I've gone. I simply needed some time away to introspect on various aspects of my life at this time and re-focus to get some clarity and vision. I have some more entries coming in the next few days so please don't give up on me. Peace and love my friends!

In Between The Noise & The Sound Lies A Greater Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:22:00 +0000

I'm living in the hope
Of a breath to be shared
It's all I've ever wanted
It's all I ever dared
So breathe
Breathe deep
Breathe
Breathe long and hard
Breathe with me
Breathe with me

-Mission Uk-

The heart of the mystic is found in the silence which resides between what is seen, heard and felt. For that which is tangible cannot inspire in itself, the tangible/physical elements of life are merely a window or portal to draw us into that which is unseen and spiritual.

For example, one may see the sunset in all it's splendor and beauty, but true inspiration is found in the reflection of what has been seen. The conscious mind becomes illuminated and is elevated in the quiet contemplation of what the physical senses have perceived and the heart and mind is lifted upward naturally toward all that is good, pure and holy. In the silence the divine source of all life reminds us to look outside of time to that which is timeless and to become present in the present now.

This is the place where the mystical heart has learned to reside and commune with the divine source of all living things and it's here in the beautiful comtemplation that the mystic receives guidance, realignment, empowerment to create positive change in the world.

The things seen with the eyes, felt by the hands or heard with the ear are merely reminders of a greater reality that empowers all physical life. The mystic has learned to tap into this reality at will, draw breath from it, receive messages and visions of hope, as well as insight and guidance for the journey and gain a complete picture of reality in it's highest form.

This place of contemplative silence is the source of inspiration for the mystical soul who draws his/her strength and inspiration from the silence, reflects on all that is beautiful and pure and is empowered and lifted up to a place of peace and rest though living in a chaotic world resless world.

Mission Now

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:01:00 +0000

Head bent, eyes closed, hands on lap, breathing slows. Time fades as spirit ascends towards the top of the seven story mountain, lost in contemplation and mystical rythm. Within the beautiful silence there is a light, the heart swells with inspiration. Gentle waters refresh the mind as voices carefully whisper from the ethereal realm of solitude, "Mission Now". Into the quiet, enter the peace, divine love showers down on mortal flesh. Gently, softly, correction, direction, vision, elation!

In this life, the love you give becomes the only lasting treasure

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:29:00 +0000

In this life, the love you give becomes the only lasting treasure
And what you lose will be what you win
A well that echoes down too deep to measure

-David Wilcox-

The Love You Give

In the end it's all about the love we give away and the love we receive, our possessions can be wiped out over night, and if we have gave nothing to love we are left with nothing but a stormy dark sea. To love another selflessly is a lasting treasure of infinite greatness and one that continues to grow and expand through the years. Even if we suffer catastrophe, the love we have been given and the love we have shown can never be taken away from us, they will be a light to lead us home.

Many people have never truly known love, some have never shown it. Perhaps they have been given a form of love that is not really love at all but empty words and promises, this unfortunately is what many of us have experienced. To the unloved there is a hollowness, an emptiness that burns and gnaws at them from the inside. Their world is always in shambles even if it appears to be in order. When a soul has not experienced truly being loved, when their human worth has not been affirmed, there is a void and a need for control, a haunted desperation when they look out at the world around them. This void will almost always find itself filled by some form of violent/resentful behavior because violence is the quickest way to gain control, to get an audience, to get noticed.

Love As A Lifestyle

So ask yourself now, have I truly shown love to those who have come and gone throughout my lifetime, have a allowed myself to be loved? I'm not talking about a sentimental sappy love, I'm talking about a love that transcends our understanding and our world view, that overcomes our prejudices and judgements. I'm talking about a love that is deeper than mere emotion and loves selflessly and gives selflessly.

Our Survival

For the human race to survive the 21st century this deep love must become more than an occasional response to someones kindness, but a lifestyle. Each person we encounter must feel their worth, must be affirmed, must be counted worthy among the kingdoms of men. Each person we meet must see love in our eyes and acceptance even if words are not exchanged. So find some creative ways this week to show love to the people you encounter, affirm their worth, give them a smile, warm their soul with your kindness. In this life, the love you give becomes the only lasting treasure.

In the tears you gave to me
I found a river to an ocean
A concrete sky and a stone cold sea
That came to where the emptiness cracked open

And all my fears came crashing through
And met the fire of my sorrow
But I found my strength in forgiving you
I never even dreamed how far my heart could go

To give my life beyond each death
From this deeper well of trust
To know that when there's nothing left
You will always have what you gave to love

In this life, the love you give becomes the only lasting treasure
And what you lose will be what you win
A well that echoes down too deep to measure

A silver coin rings down that well
You could never spend too much, a diamond echoes deeper still
And you'll always have what you gave to love,
You will always have what you gave to love

The Beauty Of The Mystical

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 02:24:00 +0000

Birds go flying at the speed of sound,
to show you how it all began.
Birds came flying from the underground,
if you could see it then you'd understand,

-Chris Martin-

It was a beautiful spring morning, I had laid out my tools and bamboo for the day and went to work on some custom order bamboo flutes for my friends in France. Over to the left of me a Camilla was in full bloom. Simply admiring the beauty emanating from it gave me great inspiration. There was joy in the air, joy from the sun, from the blue sky and not to mention the buttercups and dandelions popping up on the lawn like messengers shouting to me that, the old has passed, a new era had begun!

A swallow began to sing a song of spring in a near by tree. I felt that this beautiful creature was singing a song just for me. I was reminded of the gentleness of St. Francis, his humility and kindness toward all creatures. I thanked him for this beautiful little bird and I asked him to be present with me and my swallow friend as I worked on my humble instruments.

I felt Francis draw near and thanked him for the joy of opening my eyes to the wonders of life, especially the simple things we often take for granted. Francis who I love and admire dearly has been my constant companion through long dark nights, wet rainy seasons and in the sweltering heat of the day. Francis and Jesus taught me first about deep humility and love for the little creatures of the earth, especially the downtrodden, Francis first showed me the little way and opened my eyes to the mystical.

Suddenly I felt something touch my arm, startled, I looked down to find my swallow friend perched on my sleeve! It only lasted for a second or two, but I knew at that moment I was not alone. This mystical experience opened my mind and heart to the beauty and greatness of nature and the mystical connection a human soul shares with all the living creatures of the earth.

A True Story From Spring Of 2005

Finding Who You Are In The Present now

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:53:00 +0000

Presently you are reading these words, something grabbed your attention, caught your eye and at this very moment you are engaged in the words of this blog. You made a choice to be here and this moment is forever attached to this blog entry. Hopefully the information you are reading at this present time is insightful and beneficial to you on your journey through this life. You may choose to read this entry simply as you would a newspaper or magazine, perhaps thinking about something that happened yesterday, a few weeks ago or a few months ago.

You may be reading these words and thinking about your future, the things that you would like to have or perhaps something you fear. The other option is to become fully engaged in the present now, to become fully aware of who you are right now, not who you were or will be, but who you are PRESENTLY. Now is all you have, now is about choice, now is about making the best intuitive decision and finding ways to move into light and away from darkness. At this present moment choices are being made throughout the earth, dark choices and light choices.

The earth is in constant flux as the energy levels shift from light to dark. There are days due to say media portrayal and glorification of violence that the darkness almost becomes tangible, it hangs in the air like a gas sweeping over the nations. There are also times when you can feel the light overcoming darkness.

Several days ago the son of Osama Ben Landen spoke to the media urging his father to stop the violence, h stressed that violence was not working and that there needs to be new peaceful solutions created instead of the use bombs and guns. I could feel the positive energy flowing out from his words, it was powerful! Each of us has the potential in this very moment to bring about great change in the earths energy by the decisions we make, by the things we say and do.

Take your home for instance - did you tell your spouse you love her today? Did you hug or play with your child or did you turn them away? Did our do the small things in your house that contribute to the overall health and happiness of your home? Think about the impact that you can make by simply creating positive energy in your own household. Your husband or wife feels loved care for, they take those same loving feelings out into the world and pass them on to say four of their-workers, and those four co-workers feel this positive energy and pass it onto others in their sphere of influence and so on. Because you made the choice to love those closest to you, hundreds of people may be impacted in a single day because you chose to move toward the light in that present moment. Now, think about the opposite, a dark choice obviously has the opposite effect and the breakdown of positive energy goes out like ripples on a pond far and wide.

So in the present now think about the impact the next decision you make will have and how far reaching it may be. We are all responsible for what we do and the choices we make and if we want to enter into a glorious age of peace now is the time to begin, yesterday is gone, tomorrow awaits, now, go do something positive.

What Energizes You?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:37:00 +0000

Attitude is the way you mentally look at the world around you. It is how you view your environment and your future. It is the focus you develop toward life itself.
Author Unknown

There are things in this life that build and reinforce positive energy and there are things that decrease our positive energy levels. I never really gave this much thought until later in life, I simply saw the good days and bad days. What contributed to the good and the bad within a day was not so much a concern. I realize now that life is like playing chess. Each moment we must strategize and seek the best option for whatever we are doing, we must search for what builds us up and keeps us motivated, we must be aware of the negative forces that want to bring us down.

Good & Bad Choices

Life is about choices, good and bad and ultimately our bad days can be linked to bad choices, for me this starts when I get out of bed. If I choose to ignore a bad disposition for instance, I'm doomed from the get-go, yet if I introspect for a few minutes, my subconscious will reveal to me what I need, the types of foods that will deposit the most health and nutrients to my body for my mental and spiritual acuity, or how much silent meditation and prayer I may need to balance myself out so that I'm not a hindrance to others around me. Listening to our conscience minds and making the best choice for any given moment releases positive energy and our soul approves with a resounding yes!

Think about your life and begin to make a list of all the things that empower you and all of the things that hinder a positive mental out look, here's a few ideas:

Clothes - Certain types of clothing give me strength and make me feel good, other types of clothes feel very unnatural and awkward, turtlenecks for instance make me feel like a turtle! Avoid clothing no matter how popular that feels awkward, this will only bring you down, in other words, be yourself!

Foods - what we eat is so critical to building positive sustained energy for the day. In the morning I juice carrots and raw ginger, my power drink, and I eat two eggs, a piece of toast and either an apple or an orange and that's it. This combo gives me superb energy and I do not feel sluggish or weighed down.

Prayer & Meditation - Find a time to be silent and meditate in the morning, try not to think about anything, silence is beautiful and in it we learn so much about who we really are. I find that entering into a sustained period of deep silence brings out all of my better qualities like compassion and caring, giving, patience, integrity. These attributes come from our Creator, the divine spark that lives in all us, our conscious mind, but because we live in a frantic busy world many people igonre these higher qualities replacing them with competition, envy, anger, frustration and hate.

Take some time this week to reflect on the things that build up your positive energy and rid yourself of anything that hinders these powerful conduits from surging forth in your life.

The Power Of Manifesting: Start Small & Build Up

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 06:35:00 +0000

It's not your work to make anything happen. It's your work to dream it and let it happen. Law of Attraction will make it happen. In your joy, you create something, and then you maintain your vibration harmony with it, and the Universe must find a way to bring it about. That's the promise of Law of Attraction.
~ Abraham Hicks ~

I had an interesting experience a few weeks ago that I'd like to share and it has to do with the concept of manifesting a certain outcome. I was discussing with my conscience that I'd like to begin to practice in a deeper way manifesting my destiny by throwing positive energy toward a particular thing I'm envisioning. I thought to myself I'd start small - so I envisioned myself making a new friend. It had been awhile since I had actively gone out and developed a friendship so it sounded appealing to me. The following morning was a Saturday and typically Emmalia and I go out to the park for some daddy and daughter time on this day.

It was a beautiful clear crisp afternoon and the sun was shining brightly at our favorite park and we're running around, playing on the swings, playing chase and being our goofy selves. Just then a car pulled up to the parking lot and a man got out who appeared to be my age and his son who gleefully bounded over to my daughter, they begin to play and act goofy together as kids often will do. So this guy introduces himself and we go back and forth about our jobs, families, wives, kids, football, and pretty soon we are discussing mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

As we are talking I’m thinking to myself, "what a cool guy, I could see myself being friends with him". Just then he asks me for my number and wonders if I'd like to go mountain biking with him and some of his buddies, I say yes, call me, we shake hands, he gathers up his son and takes off.

On the way home in the car it suddenly hits me like a load of bricks, "is this what I manifest in my minds eye the day before"? I believe it was, this was a powerful confirmation of the power of creating our own destiny, of brining forth our visions and making them a reality, I saw it in my mind, locked onto the goal and so very effortlessly a new friendship emerges.

Believe

It's so powerful to see something we envision in our minds eye come into fruition, there are realms of untapped resources and potential right in front of our noses!! So I thought I'd try something a little bigger, this time I envisioned in my minds eye starting a new business, this was about a week ago. I've ran my own small business and I know quite a bit about Internet marketing and search engines so I created an ad on cragslist geared toward anyone needing search engine optimization or small business coaching, the catch, I'd do it for free! I felt compelled beyond a shadow of a doubt to do this.

Sure enough I received several calls and e-mails, but one business in particular grabbed my attention and I knew I made a powerful connection. They have an innovative product that is so fresh and exciting, the potential is staggering. Needless to say I'm now doing all the marketing for this company and if I'm successful I could be making more money than I've ever dreamed of having. This could indeed be the start of a career in small business coaching and internet marketing but I'm taking it a day at a time and working hard which is the key to all of this really.

This product is going to revolutionize the medical field and has already grabbed international attention, but, these folks no nothing about Internet marketing so whola..That’s where I come in! I feel again this is the product of creating my own destiny, manifesting and believing, the skies the limit. Whatever you see in your minds eye, believe it, grab on to it and don't let go no matter what, if you have passion, discipline and confidence simply expect it, go forth and part the red sea Moses!

Creating Reality

We are the authors of our own destiny, when we live in a positive realm we manifest into reality all that is good, hopeful, and prosperous and life giving to the people around us and like a strong tower rising high into the air we build up brick upon brick, stone upon stone until the whole mighty tower comes to completion. When we dwell in that which is dark, that which tears down, when we live in our past failures, when we claim we are the victims in a cruel plot we manifest all that is dark unhealthy, unloving, selfish and destructive because sorrow leads to anger and resentment, resentment leads to vengeance, violence, hostility, jealousy, and the complete breakdown of body, soul, mind and heart.

There is also false humility, when you know you need to do something but the vision seems to great and seems beyond your scope, so you convince yourself for whatever reason, perhaps social class, upbringing or some other reason that such wonderful thing is for other people, stronger people and not you, this is false humility.

You see your subconscious is attempting to communicate with you about your potential, it's trying to tell you that you are not living up to all that you could be, it's trying to show you that you have untapped resources that could bring you to a higher state in life, don't ignore these promptings, explore those gifts and talents, envision in your minds eye becoming that person and think deeply about what it would feel like to rise to that higher state. Each of us has the spark of the divine inside of us and well have the ability to tap into extremely powerful creative energy that when unlocked becomes like a gale force wind, BE NOT AFRAID!

The True Source Of Love?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:12:00 +0000

Today I’d like to address the issue of love and relationships in our modern 21st century world. The times we live in now are unprecedented, technology has allowed us as individuals to be closer than ever no matter where we are in the world, I can be in the Sahara desert and retain constant communication with my friends and loved ones, the interconnectedness of our age is unbelievable.

With mediums like youtube, facebook, myspace and the entire bloggosphere, we make ourselves available and easily found by anyone, we reveal our deepest secrets, our fears, our passions, likes and dislikes, our ideas and products. But what lies hidden behind all this technology that perhaps is not as easily discerned? Why the drive for all this interconnectedness? I believe the answers are simple: we are looking for love, acceptance, relationship.

Now with all this technology at our fingertips one would assume we’d feel closer than ever to our brothers and sisters here at home and around the world, yet so many are lonely, depressed, fearful. So many people feel disconnected, isolated and on the outside. This was evidenced to me greatly when I worked in the medical field, so much loneliness, fear, sickness, depression, still the question lingers -why?

The Source

Each of us is created with a soul, a beautiful unique essence of who we are, our creative force, we have a conscience, we have dreams and visions hopes and desires. Our life force comes from God who is the beginning and the end and all creativity and love stem from our Creator who created us to love Him and to love others. To disconnect from the source of all life is to disconnect from life itself, the very living waters that flow down through all humanity.

We must discover who we are, we are not merely biological agents, we are body, soul and spirit, we are physical and spiritual beings and to become truly whole is to reconnect with the life source who is pure love. When we connect ourselves to divine love then we gain a passionate world view, one that is hopeful, one that is ignited by the fires of unconditional love which comes from the divine love. When one loses this relationship the world becomes and icy menacing place full of dreariness and fearfulness, life becomes about simply surviving and overcoming, fight or flight, it becomes about competing, getting one up on our neighbor, stepping on others for self advancement, this is not who are created to be.

Take some time today to meditate and reflect on God, reconnect with your Creator and ask the angels to assist you, to comfort you and bring you new hope and a new vision. Reach out to those who need love and an ocean of love will soon wash over you and the universe will thank you!

Some Scribbles On Tree Pruning..

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:48:00 +0000

I thought I’d speak a little today on pruning fruit trees since it’s that time of year to prune the Apples, Pears and so on. The first thing you want is a fine hand saw crafted specifically for pruning trees and a good pair of hand pruners, NO weed whackers, no loppers, chainsaws need not apply! It's detrimentally important that you wash the blade of any tool with alcohol or bleach water before pruning or sawing a branch. Disease can be carried on your tools from tree to tree and cause sickness or death in some cases, so wash your tools well, I cannot stress this enough!

I'll began with apple trees; you have several varieties of apple trees, tall, medium dwarfed and dwarfed, if you have not pruned fruit trees before start with a dwarf size tree, no ladder is required and most of the branches are within reach. Step back and examine the shape of the tree for a few minutes, survey it's surroundings, which portions of the tree are getting the most sunlight and which portions are lacking light? The portions that receive and abundance of light reach toward the sun, are fuller and healthier, the portions that are receiving less light may lack leaves and may have smaller branches. Now, your cuts are going to do several things like promote healthy fruit, re-distribute energy to various parts of the tree that are lacking, create beautiful aesthetics and create new spurs to name a few. There are five "D's" to look for when examining the branches:

*Duplicate
*Deformed
*Diseased
*Downward
*Dead

The five D's are a good place to start. Deformed branches run amuck and will often be growing into the tree or rubbing against other branches they look aesthetically unpleasing and will not promote healthy fruit or leaves and may even cause damage to other branches. Diseased, branches are self explanatory as well as dead, start by removing any of these, examine the tree carefully for any fungus, this is important. Also, Plants, shrubs and trees have a natural shape you must find, most of the time it's a vase shape you are looking for so remove any dead wood you see and try to determine where the center of the tree is.

After examining your tree for the five D's, it's time to start pruning. With apple trees your going to want to bring more light into the center of the tree and have a fuller bottom so, more cuts in the center, less towards the bottom. Any shade producing branches from the center you are going to want to bring down so look for the tallest and weakest branches first, tall weak branches may eventually produce fruit but will bend over not being able to support the fruit and interfere with the health and growth of other branches as well as restrict light.

When pruning a branch, never cut into the collar of the branch where all the living cells are, disease can more readily enter in when the collar is cut too close jeopardizing the life of the branch or tree. Instead, count 3-4 buds up from the collar and look for and "upward" bud, not a downward bud the object is to create spurs that branch up and out toward the sun, cutting at a downward bud will cause the spurs to grow downward and into other branches.

Look for duplicate branches or "rabbit ears", leave one longer perhaps cutting at the fifth or six sixth bud, cut the other perhaps to the third, this way the branches will not be competing against each other. The tree should looked textured with branches in close proximately cut at different lengths to keep branches from competing, no buzz cuts!

Examine the tree carefully and often, step back and look at what you are doing, if you see 4 branches shooting out of the end for instance you may want to make a bigger cut. Make sure your cuts are straight and not diagonal, this is very important in the development of the branch. well, 'nuff for now, I'll write more on this later, it's time to go prune some fruit trees!

Michael

Why Bamboo Flutes Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:34:00 +0000

...The years prior to this starting in 2001 were years marked with trial and disappointment at every turn, so much darkness, financial stress, and the near loss of my wife made this injury the icing on the cake, I sunk like a led balloon into deep dark depression, my motivation was sapped and as far as I was concerned I was done, I lost hope that I would or could become anything useful…

One special item that had been my constant companion over the years was a beautiful bamboo flute, perfectly tuned in the key of F major, and yes, bamboo can be tuned perfectly. The flute was a dark rich maroon with black binding crafted from a gorgeous piece of timber bamboo, it felt very much like a traditional Indian Bansurai. This paticular flute has a a picture engraved on it; the sun rising over a mountain and a dove with an olive branch in its mouth, I would later learn how symbolic this was.

Fast forward to a beautiful summer afternoon August 14, 2004, my wife had left with my daughter to run some errands and decided to stay home and try to shake the darkness and pain I was experiencing with prayer. I have a great devotion to some of the saints, one of them is St. Maximilian Kolbe, a beautiful Priest of Jewish descent who offered his life in Auschwitz as a martyr so that 10 men could be spared from the starvation chamber, this day August 14th was the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe so I thought it fitting to ask for his intercession and help.

I have various ways of praying, sometimes in deep silence, sometimes in spiritual language, and sometimes with music, this day I pulled out my bamboo flute and began to converse with St. Max inwardly, pleading for help, pleading for direction and focus, pleading that the depression and darkness would lift. Now, some visions come like dimly lit lights, soft and non intrusive, others fall like warm monsoons of heavenly water drenching the soul in glorious light and knowledge, what happened next was a monsoon of dynamic proportions.

It was as if the heavens opened up and the next phase of my life was laid before and in a nano second I saw this glorious and exciting opportunity laid before me. I saw myself crafting exquisite flutes, I heard their sound in my being, gorgeous music, healing music. I saw my hands crafting them from bamboo, exotic bamboo, I saw the colors of the various flutes I was making and I saw them traveling around the world and in the background a voice was reading the prayer of St, Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace;
that where there is hatred, I may bring love;
that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness;
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony;
that where there is error, I may bring truth;
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith;
that where there is despair, I may bring hope;
that where there are shadows, I may bring light;

I knew internally that I would be successful because God would make me successful and he'd make my hands swift, He'd grant me wisdom to learn quickly, my playing at that time was mediocre at best, but the music I heard was lovely. And then I heard the name, Kolbe Flutes, and as suddenly as it came it was finished, I immediately set out to learn the art of creating concert tuned bamboo flutes, I had a clear vision and I knew it would be a successful venture. What ignited my passions was the fact that I could create instruments that would both support my family and heal others around the world.

(To be continued)

Do You Have A Spiritual Gift?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 15:59:00 +0000

This blog entry is for you! I would love hear about some of your spiritual gifts and how you are using them or how you would like to use them. Also, if you have been impacted by someone with a spiritual gift, please share how it changed your life.

Namaste,

Why Bamboo Flutes?

noreply@blogger.com (Michael Howard) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 04:59:00 +0000

I have been contemplating a good discussion about bamboo flutes being one who makes and plays bamboo flutes of various kinds. I thought it would be interesting to take you back to the beginning of my company Kolbe Flutes and discuss that aspect of my spiritual journey, a life changing journey that changed my course drastically.

So let me take you back to August 14th 2004, the feast day of one of my heroes St.Maximilian Kolbe. At this phase of my life I worked in the field of nursing, long hours and lots of stress and pressure. I severely injured a muscle in my hip assisting a nurses aid with a patient who was about to fall, as we lowered this gentleman to the ground dead weight I could feel the muscle in my hip tearing followed by an instant rush of heat, dizziness, nausea, I knew I was injured and I knew it was serious. Over the next week the pain became so intense I had to lean to the left when walking, I was forced o leave work and collect L&I for my injury, this began some intense months of physical therapy which was to put it bluntly, excruciating.

The years prior to this starting in 2001 were years marked with trial and disappointment at every turn, so much darkness, financial stress, and the near loss of my wife made this injury the on the cake, I sunk like a led balloon into deep dark depression, my motivation was sapped and as far as I was concerned I was done, I lost hope that I would or could become anything useful…

(To be continued)