tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51683377885067823692024-03-05T09:33:50.613-08:00World of PerspectiveA blog that focuses on the perceptions and perspective we have of the world, and the results.Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.comBlogger380125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-56036157906446103532013-04-22T08:29:00.002-07:002013-04-22T08:30:44.166-07:00WOPR Guest: Mare Cromwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today at 4:00 PM ET Mare Cromwell will be my guest.<br />
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<b>To Listen:</b> Please visit <b><i><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a></i></b>. In the upper right hand corner is the logo. Click and the play page will pop up.<br />
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If you miss it, there are replays both 9:00 PM Friday night and 1:00 PM Saturday. But you don't want to miss the opportunity to call in.<br />
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I am really looking forward to this conversation and hope that you will enjoy it!<br />
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In addition, today Mare has arranged for her two books to be available via Amazon Kindle for free today. <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Messages-Mother-Earth-Mother-ebook/dp/B00ANUQBHS/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1366644109&sr=8-1-spell">Messages from Mother....Earth Mother</a></i></b> and <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/phone-number-Searching-Spirituality-America-ebook/dp/B005FYXWMO/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1366644109&sr=8-2-spell">If I Gave You God's Phone Number....Searching for Spirituality in America</a></i></b>.<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://marecromwell.com/">MareCromwell.com</a></i></b>Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-91457754781583431232013-04-14T13:52:00.000-07:002013-04-16T13:52:39.972-07:00WOPR Guest Kathy Perry<img height="200" src="http://www.kathyperry.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/6235greenmultiproofcrop2.jpg" width="182" /><br />
<b><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/guests/archives/april-2013/#kathyperry">Kathy Perry</a></b><br />
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<b>Dates and Time</b>s<br />
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Live Air: <b>April 15, 2013 4:00 PM ET</b><br />
Replay W4CS: <b>April 19, 2013 9:00 PM ET</b><br />
Replay W4WN: <b>April 20, 2013 1:00 PM ET</b><br />
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For all shows, please visit<br />
<b><a href="http://WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a></b>Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-69872152424147824612013-04-07T20:45:00.002-07:002013-04-07T20:45:34.385-07:00Video<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/"><b><i>WorldofPerspectiveRadio.co</i></b></a><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/"><b><i>m</i></b></a><b><i> </i></b>website...</div>
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not quite what I wanted, but it's a start.</div>
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<br />Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-56163224985019957862013-04-07T09:39:00.001-07:002013-04-07T09:54:54.962-07:00The Perfect GiftThis was my first World of Perspective Blog. I had tried to change the format on it after changing the format of my blog, but Blogger just wasn't having it for some strange reason. So I decided to try another entry for a clear format, as I decided that for the record I wanted to keep the original and not delete it.<br />
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Enjoy.<br />
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I just read an article, the content of which came from Sweden (<strike>Click Here for Article</strike>No longer available). It was an interesting article, as it spoke about analysis regarding Santa's Christmas Eve travels. I love how people take the time to figure out these things.<br />
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However, more importantly, to me the article provides interesting insight and perspective. It poses two distinct possibilities based on two different analyses of Santa and his sleigh, and his worldly, whirlwind travel over the course of one night.<br />
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On one hand, it is estimated that for Santa to visit every home, he must visit 2.5 billion homes and must spend no more than 34 microseconds at each location to be able to complete his journey in time. In addition to, of course, the reindeer moving fast enough.<br />
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On the other hand, a different study quoted says that if Santa was to be in a sleigh the size it would have to be, in conjunction with the related physics that go along with it, Santa and his sleigh and presents would be destroyed, and gone. The actual term used is - "vaporized" - within 4.26 thousandths of a second. Both studies are essentially using the same type of data. The difference seems to be the outcome based on the conclusions.<br />
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Out of curiosity, which option would you believe to be true, if you had to pick one?<br />
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When I thought about this, I felt it was the epitome of what defines an optimistic or pessimistic point of view. I would almost want to say an optimist or pessimist. However, a person's point of view does not necessarily make the person. Or does it?<br />
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Think about it for a moment. If what you do creates who you are, and what you think about affects what you do, which in turn creates who you are. Then what you think about is what you create yourself to be.<br />
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So if you happen to think that your world is depressing, and that you are always let down, and that you never get what you want, then you are likely to be a person with a life in which the world is depressing, you are always let down, and you never get what you want.<br />
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On the other hand, if you believe that the world is a better place for those in it. If you feel that others will always look out for you. If you think you will always get what you need, and/or better, you will likely be a person who makes the world a better place, and feels better about the world in which you live.<br />
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Now, if your thoughts were indeed you, it is likely that you never would be able to alter who you are. Notice how above I said, "what you think about is what you CREATE yourself to be." The key word? "CREATE". That means that you have a choice. There are many expressions that are something akin to "change your thinking, and change your world."<br />
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You might wonder why bother? What difference does it make? Does it really matter what you think, if you aren't a believer in Santa? The short answer is "YES." There is a much longer answer that can go with the YES. However, the mini version goes something like this: How you think about anything is how you think about everything. If you, in general, are a half full kind of person, your attitude will likely find you in a world that is a much better place than the world in which a half empty person resides.<br />
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The next time you are thinking about something that is something other than what you want it to be, here are a few steps you can take:<br />
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1. consider the facts of the situation.<br />
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2. analyze the different sides of the equation.<br />
(Remembering that there is always another perspective).<br />
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3. pick which side you would rather be on.<br />
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4. step to that side.<br />
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5. pick actions in accordance with that side.<br />
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6. ACT.<br />
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The first few times, you may find it difficult, it may even seem like a complex mathematical equation. Getting your mind to be open to other perspectives can sometimes be like learning another language. However difficult it may seem, it is DO-ABLE.<br />
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In an extreme sense, the above theories leave Santa as alive or dead. In a way, that is like the life you live. Your choices will leave you alive or dead. In some cases, it might even be literal. Someone who is reading this might quibble about Santa's existence to begin with, and if you are one of them, may I gently remind you that Santa is symbolic of the life that you're living.<br />
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This is about your choices, the ones the disempower, and the ones that empower. I am empowered when I can see that I am able to alter my perspectives. A changed perspective has changed my world, on more than one occasion, and in more than one way.<br />
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Am I perfect in this regard? Hardly. However, the more that I see that I can alter my world with the perspectives I bring to it, the more that I am willing to "play with" altering the perspectives I bring to my life and its situations.<br />
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This holiday season, give yourself the perfect gift. Whatever happens in the next few weeks, allow yourself to analyze the situation in a way that empowers you, and act on it. If what you think about is what you bring about, you will be doing yourself a great favor.<br />
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And do you know what the best part of this gift is? It is one that will continue to be with you well into the New Year. It could even help with those "pesky" New Year's Resolutions you're thinking of making.<br />
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One last thought: You may be wondering if what I am saying is "true." You may be wondering if there is any point in what I have said. I did, after all, say there is always more than one perspective. If you are that person, and you think I could be wrong, I have three questions for you in regard to trying out what I have suggested:<br />
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What have you got to lose?<br />
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What is the worst thing that could happen?<br />
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Is the worst thing that could happen something you could live with?<br />
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If you can live with the potential outcome, then consider what your life would be like if "Santa" was alive and well all year round.<br />
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In the end, the "facts" will always be tainted by someone. Are you going to use their perspective, and make it your own, or are you going to make and use your own? The difference between the two is a world apart, and the choice you make can make all the difference in the world.<br />
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There is a a good chance that if you change your perspective, you will likely experience changes in the world in which you live. Don't take my word for it, though, try it out. See if what I say makes sense for you, and makes a difference for you.<br />
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I would love to hear your experience with this mindset. If you decide to take this on, or already have, I would love to hear from you what your experience has been. Write me Here, or feel free to post a comment.<br />
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Happy Holidays! (and long live Santa!!)<br />
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Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-24829608905942230082013-04-07T08:19:00.002-07:002013-04-07T08:30:04.982-07:00Do We Really Want a Society of (Imperfect) Clones?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(I have seen the graphic below in several places, but have not seen any attribution. If it not meant to be freely shared, and you are the owner of it, please just let me know.)</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><b>"Everybody is a genius. </b></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">But if you judge a fish</span></b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"> by its ability to climb a tree, </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><b>it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><b>Albert Einstein</b></span></div>
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I find this image and idea interesting to consider. We often act like we are all very much the same, and we have this idea that life should be "fair." So if we are all the same, and we need to be fair, we must define some sort of standard that works for all of us.</div>
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The inherent problem to this belief is that while we may all be human we do not have the same strengths and leanings so whatever one picks as the "standard" is already biased and even if someone doesn't feel "stupid" for it, he or she certainly might feel like they don't "fit." In the process, it may also give the illusion to those involved that they need to be the same as everyone else.</div>
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It would be great if we could find a way to allow each individual to be an individual and let them flourish in the way that they would flourish. A rose and a carnation are both flowers, but they will not bloom or smell or look the same way - and, more importantly, it would be silly for us to expect them to.</div>
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Somewhere along the lines I would suggest that our need to "control" things is what brought this way of thinking about. It isn't about fairness, at all, as the process such as it is is inherently unfair. But in the process of calling it that we gave ourselves the illusion of control and given how we desire fairness, who would argue with that?</div>
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Interestingly, I saw <b><i><a href="http://www.today.com/style/have-websites-made-all-weddings-look-same-1C9184098">an article recently about how similar weddings were becoming</a></i></b>, due to sites like Pinterest. Apparently people have mimicked what they have seen, whether it fit them, or not. While there is nothing about fairness in this article, it does speak to the nature of human beings to want to all be the same in some way.</div>
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The "funny" thing is that when everyone starts to be the same, then there are those who want to strike out and be different. Striking out to be different first requires an awareness and then a boldness and sometimes bravery. The minute you stand out there is a possibility you will become a leader and others will follow, or you will be ostracized. </div>
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Standing out in the middle of no where is generally no fun for those who are by themselves or for those who would want to corral everyone in a certain direction. And when we do not respect others for who and how they are, it seems to me that it is a potential recipe for conflict and disaster.</div>
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Why would it be a surprise that people are unhappy at the moment? Some might say it is because they aren't able to have a job or a relationship, or any number of things that (our) society says are important. Are these things universally important? No. But we act like they are, and until we can act like ourselves, we are going to be unhappy trying to be someone we are not, by living by someone else's standards, likes and desires.</div>
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We set ourselves up for failure when we seek to be a clone or a society that seeks for its members to create clones of themselves. No one likes to be told what to do or how to do it, and yet many will try to drum our unique qualities out of us for some idea of a "greater good." The only chance we have to truly succeed and be happy is to know what makes us tick and follow the beat of our own inner drummer. </div>
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Yes, I mixed metaphors. </div>
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But you know what? </div>
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I like it like that. :)</div>
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One last thought: What if the only thing that is "fair" - and truly works - is when every person gets to be how they truly are and who they are meant to be?</div>
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<br />Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-32185764055517527132013-04-06T15:23:00.001-07:002013-04-06T15:23:30.107-07:00Making Things Easier? (Or More Complicated?)Do you think you can remember the name of my show and the domain name? Of course, I would hope you could, but just in case it's not the easy, and you want an easy way to find the show, now you can just type <b><i><a href="http://elizabethalraune.com/">ElizabethAlraune.com</a></i></b> and it will take you to the show's website. Now you just have to remember how to spell my name.<br />
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How cool is that?<br />
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(Like, I really want to know. LOL. Is it cool? I hope so...)<br />
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I guess time will tell if it is a good thing, or not.<br />
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But I am trying!Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-46450451917084058742013-04-06T11:27:00.000-07:002013-04-06T11:29:37.748-07:00Working Diligently - Part IIII have put together a sheet for those who will be on my show. It is rather lengthy. I think for some it might even seem to be overwhelming and a bit much. I might change it in time. But the thing is that while I am not one who likes to always have boxes, I find sometimes they can be helpful to accomplish something. And what I am looking to accomplish is a successful show not only for me, but for my guests and those who wind up listening - and - dare I say - perhaps even becoming fans. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5Mg28DZ6VT03R4coqqiVTdKUz-FpIGri46hd0l0L5AJkD-1yEaxUwF5vzvu6rlO-AqX8RDW44tm-tgFJ0GmkicOHj5uqmnNCupV1yem2the8DMZQa9qAoTlYo9fxinx7koiJVCo4vng/s1600/wopr-box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5Mg28DZ6VT03R4coqqiVTdKUz-FpIGri46hd0l0L5AJkD-1yEaxUwF5vzvu6rlO-AqX8RDW44tm-tgFJ0GmkicOHj5uqmnNCupV1yem2the8DMZQa9qAoTlYo9fxinx7koiJVCo4vng/s200/wopr-box.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you want to be a guest, and you receive the paperwork and you have any questions or concerns, we can talk about it. I do my best to be flexible, and if you require some flexibility, I will do what I can to make things work for all concerned. I believe in WIN/WIN/WIN situations (a win for you, for me, and for anyone who interacts with us) and will strive to always create that at the core of this adventure.<br />
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I will be doing a lot of things to help support your presence on my show. It will probably even be more than before. It will take a lot of time and energy, and quite frankly I am a bit concerned I might be offering too much given that I am not fully recuperated. But I am going to try as I have often wished that those I interacted with had the same type of investment in me when we interact.<br />
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Above everything I appreciate - and ask for - your patience. I will do whatever I can to make things right if they ever go wrong. Which of course that will <i>NEVER</i> happen. Well. In some alternate universe perhaps, LOL. But in this one, I have no doubt life will be its eternally creative, unpredictable and at times uncooperative self. If that happens, let's try to have fun with it, shall we?<br />
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I don't know about you, but I know *I* need to minimize my stresses these days and just <b><i><a href="http://world-of-perspective.blogspot.com/2013/04/working-diligently-part-i.html">like Christina in a previous blog</a></i></b>, I know the people that I will work best with - and they will be people who at the core work from their heart, too, and will work with me and my limitations.<br />
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If you have any questions, please be in touch.<br />
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Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-29947885433397946362013-04-06T11:01:00.000-07:002013-04-06T11:01:45.530-07:00Working Diligently - Part IIIn addition to the site, I have been trying to think about other things. I have been thinking about a show format, about segments, about how I will approach the guests, about a number of things. All of which take - <i>you guessed it </i>- time and effort.<br />
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In the past when I did the show I put a lot of effort into it, and was not paid for it. I would like to say it was a labor of love, and I could. But the thing was, that in the back of my mind I knew I either had to one day start making money or find a sugar daddy so I didn't have to worry about the fact that I was spending so much time doing something I loved and not making money.<br />
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No sugar daddy showed up.<br />
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And at a point, I temporarily folded up shop. I didn't know for how long, but there was just no way I could do it. (<b><i><a href="http://world-of-perspective.blogspot.com/2013/04/a-work-in-progress.html">I go into more of the details in a previous blog</a></i></b>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKb_vBUZ_e1XT7swrUCfIITRnI1udm0l1YMCHWqqBRSC7Kqg2JgVVQnKO4cbKl9rhc_0EYVv-oTKD-W9UCQ03fr54y4G8xb9dyV4lwZNuGgHvYTefObSLtUlxO725zzOlULicgLjMNfk/s1600/wopr-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKb_vBUZ_e1XT7swrUCfIITRnI1udm0l1YMCHWqqBRSC7Kqg2JgVVQnKO4cbKl9rhc_0EYVv-oTKD-W9UCQ03fr54y4G8xb9dyV4lwZNuGgHvYTefObSLtUlxO725zzOlULicgLjMNfk/s200/wopr-heart.jpg" width="200" /></a>But now I get to be back in business. And I am making it about business. I HAVE to. At the same time, I want nothing more than to create value for anyone who interacts with me. I am invested in it. I want to do what I have always done so freely and be able to pay my bills. I want people and businesses to succeed. And I want people to be engaged, to listen and to find the things that are of value to them. I am uninterested in selling anyone anything, but if there is something someone wants to buy, then I would love to be a conduit for making that happen and make a living in the process.<br />
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While this may be a "business" at the heart of it are the people. At the heart of it is heart, and I want to keep that in mind with every transaction - whether it is an interview, or an advertisement or any other aspect of my show.<br />
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Continued...Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-34312750691007544002013-04-06T10:13:00.001-07:002013-04-06T10:14:05.249-07:00Working Diligently - Part ISo Monday is the day. It seems like just yesterday I signed up to do the show. But "just" yesterday was something like 5 or 6 weeks ago - or even more. I really don't remember for sure at this point. And for as much as things don't seem to be moving too quickly in regard to making things happen, the list is long.<br />
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I have loved working with Christina Aldan of <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://thisluckygirl.com/">ThisLuckyGirl.com</a>. </i>She created the awesome logo you see and is working on the <b><i><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a></i></b> website. It has been difficult for me not to be the one to make the changes and create the design. But since I am mostly a hacker when it comes to code, the idea of someone creating a really good, search engine friendly site is something that I didn't want to pass up.<br />
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I am also a bit nervous about the learning curve, but I feel like Christina is going to help me and hold me hand moving forward, and her creative mind has ideas of things we can implement, and I am excited about that, too. At one point it seemed she may not be the right person for me, as I wanted a much more creative style and look to my site. From what I understand sites like that can take extensive programming and may not be the best in terms of optimization.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dtgpzd_gnMU9QI6da9jbozk346l06toZk8yz3YO3ZyOpWvukREvIXM-3NDa1bATs6MPA5KhG_bnd2uPAVbdYAF_ioRSYjoJQPA-PU_5lPM3ZzhpJ8sYatIJ_BJc7wwK0LGUkUgcsLg/s1600/christina_aldan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dtgpzd_gnMU9QI6da9jbozk346l06toZk8yz3YO3ZyOpWvukREvIXM-3NDa1bATs6MPA5KhG_bnd2uPAVbdYAF_ioRSYjoJQPA-PU_5lPM3ZzhpJ8sYatIJ_BJc7wwK0LGUkUgcsLg/s1600/christina_aldan.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Christina Aldan, Lucky Girl Designs</b></td></tr>
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Perhaps one day I can reconsider what I am doing, or the web will figure out a way to be more friendly to those who are creative, but until then I am happy with what is being created. Christina was concerned that I might not be, and told me so.<br />
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I love that she did that. I love how she knows what she wants, and is unwilling to compromise because it would ultimately compromise her and the project. While it might be good if she was able to bend to another's perspective, if the cost is too great, it is not worth it. Just because someone can do something doesn't mean they should.<br />
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I run into this sometimes as a hypnotist, so I know how difficult that can be.<br />
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It is awesome someone else is doing it in some ways. In other ways it is a bit frustrating for me, a bit scary and STILL a lot of work. I have spent hours on the phone with Christina with copious amounts of notes of how I want things to look. From what she tells me, she likes it that way. The more I am specific, the more likely she is to give me what I want, and the less likely I will be disappointed. Sounds like an all round winning situation to me.<br />
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Continued in next blog...Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-8959250459197137892013-04-06T09:22:00.002-07:002013-04-06T09:24:43.077-07:00Coming Monday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5YqYeGlvEC239XS5LZ-kCEs_utbt99EjdXS3X9WjOQ88XTvSoF7fx-kqRy5PMqtYkbBmDWRkQRUMCaeDeuo2_ZGHzEGhyphenhyphengj0965UdJkRBt20dgEf02giZsgu3v4A_xuIAtwACBnOl0Q/s320/dean-adv2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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For local time, visit <b><i><a href="http://timeanddate.com/worldclock">Timeanddate.com/worldclock</a></i></b></div>
Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-56261505814234084972013-04-05T11:35:00.000-07:002013-04-05T11:39:30.768-07:00A Work in Progress<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhXkRcV56PvK7bS-EbzCVM0teMOqJD3vWKe5LEb57ODp3hLILTjKC3Xljl-a5oBiYFoji3pCYQloPhIRU1xPXnEkYAaCKcmPSF6wKSVpsXDGULemaB_7mGCzd-nDu_QValCNSDWeJ_wc/s1600/wopr-elizabethalraune2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhXkRcV56PvK7bS-EbzCVM0teMOqJD3vWKe5LEb57ODp3hLILTjKC3Xljl-a5oBiYFoji3pCYQloPhIRU1xPXnEkYAaCKcmPSF6wKSVpsXDGULemaB_7mGCzd-nDu_QValCNSDWeJ_wc/s200/wopr-elizabethalraune2.jpg" width="150" /></a>I mean this blog.<br />
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But it could apply to me, too.<br />
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I just noticed it has been about 2 1/2 years since I last posted here. So much has happened in that time. My world has changed significantly in a number of ways. The me I used to know is wondering how we got to this point. In some ways grateful and in some ways, in pain.<br />
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Life is "wonderfully" unpredictable (note sarcasm).<br />
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Every time I think I have found "the" thing that I am "supposed" to do, live tells me uh-uh. There's something more. Something different. This moment, this thing, was only a stepping stone to the next moment, the next thing.<br />
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It doesn't give me much of a choice or an ability to settle in. Even the nomadic life of sorts that I have lived works that way, too. At one point I figured out I averaged a move every 4 years, or so, and that trend seems like it may be close to holding.<br />
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I loved doing my radio show <b><i><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a></i></b>, but I was finding myself limited for several reasons. There wasn't much that I could do advertising-wise on BlogTalkRadio. They were very restrictive in their conditions. I also didn't know the kinds of things people say advertisers want to know.<br />
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So while I loved doing the show, I was spending a lot of time and energy talking to people and creating it and not making any money. I had to make money so it became something I did once a month with someone I knew. In that way there was no energy spent. It was just something I would get on and do and the rest would take care of itself.<br />
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But something still wasn't right.<br />
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I didn't know what. And then one day we did a show and there was a blow up - of sorts - at the end of the show and it created a huge brouhaha amongst this woman's followers. We talked about how it could be a "good" thing that it happened, and we were going to discuss what transpired. But then, radio silence - on her end.<br />
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I decided at that point that I wasn't going to do any more shows - for the moment, not knowing how long that moment would last. It was always in the back of my mind, but couldn't seem to make it to the forefront. I was working so hard at trying to make a living and make something happen, I just didn't have the time or energy to figure it out.<br />
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Then May of 2012 happened. I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Work of any type came to pretty much an abrupt standstill. I had thought about kicking up the radio show again given the fact that I wasn't doing much else, but I just didn't have it in me to do it. I was so often tired and never knew how I would feel from day-to-day, moment-to-moment. I didn't know that I could do it. So I didn't.<br />
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December of 2012 came and I needed to get back to work. Funds were running low. When I was diagnosed with cancer I had a goal to get to the end of the year, but the thing was that I was now effectively out of business and had to figure out what direction I was going to take. That, in and of itself, is not the easiest thing to do, but then I also found myself still at the mercy of chemo.<br />
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What they don't tell you in the media is how your story of cancer doesn't end when chemo does. They don't tell you going in to treatment that odds are good you will be affected by chemo a good 6-12 months after treatment. They don't tell you that it will be difficult to do things still. They don't tell you any of these things.<br />
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In a way, it is good. I say that because maybe each person's experience is unique. Maybe it won't be the case for everyone. I didn't want too much info myself about things, as I didn't want to create things for myself. If you know what can happen, you can sometimes create it. But because of that I was often shooting in the dark.<br />
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Things happened (and still happen) that I don't know what to do with. Is it something I should be concerned about? Is it due to the chemo? Is it due to cancer? So many questions and in the middle of dealing with the physical issues, I need to live life. I need to pay the bills.<br />
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I need to beg.<br />
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I have so hated that last one. None of the pieces have been particularly pleasant, but begging has been the worst. If only I could find the "magical" way of making a living. If only one of the many talents I am told I have could net me an income.<br />
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If only I was a better businesswoman.<br />
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So as I have dealt with these issues, I have blogged elsewhere (<b><i><a href="http://relatetocancer.com/">Relatetocancer.com</a></i></b>). I didn't blog here because at first I wasn't sure I wanted to be so public about my situation. It was extremely uncomfortable to have to come out of the "cancer closet." I so didn't want to do it, but decided to so that people would know who they might consider helping. If I put a name and a face on things and they knew that I was legit, perhaps it would help.<br />
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Well. Maybe. But I am not so sure. Many still look at me with a skeptical eye. My blog was on Blogger. Because of that, my legitimacy was called into question by someone. The last thing a person dealing with cancer needs to be concerning themselves with is how to to do a blog on a platform that is considered "legitimate."<br />
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I realize that people will be skeptical. I realize there have been some really good scammers out there. At the same time, all I have ever asked is for someone to use their gut feeling when interacting with me. All I have ever asked is for them to read my blog, view my videos, talk to me, get to know me. Not everything all the time, but to get a sense.<br />
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We live in a world that is often swayed by others dictates because we are not in tune with ourselves and our own inner drummers. I suspect we would have less issues if we could be better in tune with ourselves and the things that suit us.<br />
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Even if someone didn't want to do that in relation to me, if they could at least learn to stop being reactive to labels and associations in their day-to-day life, they might benefit in some way. At least, by my way of thinking.<br />
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And if you know anything about me you know that the way I think tends to often go against the prevailing tide. I often feel like I am standing alone. Some would say that is a leader. Others would say that means I am in the wrong place.<br />
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I don't know what I say, other than for some unknown, often frustrating, reason I am often left standing alone. In the midst of cancer, it has made me wonder more than once if there is a reason for me to be here.<br />
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And yet, when given the opportunity, people have told me how valuable they have found my words, how valuable who I am is, how much I have to offer. So I must be doing something right. Those times I call my "It's a Wonderful Life" moments. If you know the movie, George Bailey only gets to find out all of the difference he made for others after he effectively was removed from their lives.<br />
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So many times we do things, but have no clue what we have done, or know what impact we have made. We may never know.<br />
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And, it sucks.<br />
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When you are deciding whether you are going to live or die, it would be nice to know that you matter. As I write this, I think it also applies in a "metaphorical" sense, too, as we live or die in a way every day. I think many people would be helped by knowing how much they matter in the world.<br />
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So...<br />
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Back to the radio show.<br />
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At some point in December or January I reached out to a radio show about being a guest, and then I forgot about it. For a while I didn't hear anything. When the call came in response, it was not about being a guest, but about me having my own show on the network.<br />
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After speaking with the person who called for quite some time, I asked what it would take to be on the network. It was a hefty answer: $1500. Apparently it was a steal of a deal. I gulped. That was a lot of money. I was barely surviving; there was no way I could legitimately spend that kind of money. That was almost 3 months of health insurance premiums.<br />
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But I was told that if I did have a show, I would have a lot of freedom around how I handled it, and that I could get sponsorships in a different way than BTR would allow, and better yet, I could keep it all. The wheels started to turn. I wasn't sure I was ready to make the move, but this was a good deal. I had to do it.<br />
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But how?<br />
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I thought of a person who might be able to assist, and I approached him on it. To my delight, he agreed. But I didn't get the money right away. I was holding my breath a bit while I waited. Too often lately things have not happened the way that they were "supposed" to. I was hoping I would not again be disappointed.<br />
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Thankfully he came through as I started to make plans to go forward. I wanted a logo for the show and I had someone in mind. I sent her a message, and while I waited for a response, I put out other feelers, as a back up plan. That is when <b><i><a href="http://thisluckygirl.com/">Christina Aldan showed up (Lucky Girl Designs</a></i></b>). When the other person said she was willing to help, but couldn't for a few weeks, Christina and I began to work together.<br />
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And in some ways, it could not be more perfect. She created an awesome logo, and thanks to a design choice on her part she gave me the inspiration for a tagline that I could never seem to come up with.<br />
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In the process of talking, we also came to an agreement about a website. When she said she could build a site for me, I knew there was an obvious choice: <i style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a>. </i>At this writing, the site is not yet up. However I am hoping to have the beginnings of the site up by the premiere date of April 8th.</div>
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In the midst of all of this, an aunt that I was very close to while growing up, and aunt who in many ways was like a mother to me, passed away. Everything in my life was put on hold as I went to NY for the funeral and to deal with the emotional tidal waves of being around my family.</div>
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I still have a lot more to do. And nothing is perfect - or ever will be. Nothing I ever have done has ever been, for that matter. As I said, a Work in Progress. And yet, I continue to move forward. I continue to do. I continue to be tired. And this is where my path now takes me.</div>
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There is more to do and more to come. *Fingers crossed* that this is the point that all paths have been leading to and that an income will soon come. I am very excited about all of the things that I am thinking and creating, and extremely excited about the possibilities.</div>
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While I will continue to post on Blogger, it will also simultaneously be posting on the <b><i><a href="http://worldofperspectiveradio.com/">WorldofPerspectiveRadio.com</a></i></b> site so you will be able to keep up in either place. In addition, I will be continuing to post on Relatetocancer.com. It would be nice to one day be all in one place, and maybe that will happen. But in the meantime, I am going to be doing my all too usual creative dance of being a little bit in a lot of places.</div>
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If it helps at all, my intention at the moment is to have this blog be about the show and its guests. The Relating to cancer blog will be more about me and what is going on, in addition to things about cancer and the experience of cancer.</div>
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I will do my best to make sense...but that may be asking a lot of me at the moment, LOL. If you have any questions, though, please do ask!</div>
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Thanks for your time and attention, and I hope you can (and will!) join me live:</div>
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Podcasts will be available on an individual - or subscription - basis. This is something else I am excited about, as it will be a way that people can help me and get something from it for themselves. I may wind up with some sort of business model after all. LOL.</div>
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I look forward to taking this journey with you.</div>
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Thanks for being a part of it.</div>
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<br />Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-29955563273767583262010-07-06T15:34:00.000-07:002010-07-06T20:05:31.379-07:00A Letter of LoveI continue to share these Letters of Love for what they may offer you. While they are often written for someone specific, there are many times the message is more universally felt. If you'd like one of your own (which will be kept confidential and private, if you want it to be) visit <a href="http://notes-of-love.com">Notes-of-Love.com</a> for info.<br /><br />You will survive this. This is a blip in your radar screen. You have taken huge steps along the path of life, and have moved up each time. You must recognize the progress instead of focusing on the losses and pain. It is really a perceived loss which isn’t a loss at all. It may seem to be one, and yet you will gain more than you could possibly imagine from this time. You have no idea what is in store for you, and each step you take brings you closer. <br /><br />Before XXXXX you were resigned. You thought there would be no one. Had you ended life, you would have missed the incredible time that you had with XXXXX and the awesome gift you got from it. You can’t see the big picture, but you can see the smaller parts, and while some may look like tears, they may be flowers yet to bloom. <br /><br />Who you are is not who you’ve been. You would never have been able to have an experience like this with who you once were. You had to give up certain ways of looking at things to allow for this to happen. You had to give up who you believed yourself to be. Each step is an important step, and you must trust the love that brought you here. <br /><br />We know you are thinking and believing that love brought you to pain. But love only brought you an experience. Your perspective created the pain, and in the same way it was created, you can allow yourself to let it go. You can finally allow the anger of your past and not being able to express yourself and not being heard, go. You can express yourself and be heard at any time to anyone anywhere. You don’t need an acknowledgment of your expressions. You don’t need someone to validate them – or you.<br /><br />You wouldn’t be sitting here, learning of this lesson, had it not been for what has occurred. And it is a perspective worthy of absorbing and growing from. When you look back at XXX you see so much of who you became because of what happened. You had so much to give, and got so little in return, and yet you allowed yourself to express yourself and you allowed yourself to love. You have received some very profound gifts that you have been able to share with others.<br /><br />And we hear, what about ME? <br /><br />What about you? You are who we are. We are you. You are others. Others are you. It is all ONE. And when you realize that you will be giving yourself the greatest of all gifts because within that there is no lack. There is only support. There is only Love. There is only growth. Understanding. Compassion. Love. All of the things that you think you seek. They’re all within you right this very moment. When you acknowledge them, you no longer feel the need to be filled. There is no need when there is plenty. When love overflows, nothing is left in want. Nothing. Not even you. You give of love, and you have love. It really is that simple. You are love, you are in love. There is no love to find, and there is no love to give, as love is already in place for everyone at every moment, every where. <br /><br />Acknowledgement is what is needed more than love. Because LOVE is present right now. Right this moment you can be embraced in love. You can feel love. You can know love. Right this moment, and it is not conditional on anyone anywhere. It is NOW. You can feel the shift in your energy with these words. You can feel how things move without moving.<br /><br />Life is fertile. Life is ever changing. The mistake people make is in believing that things will stay the same. An even bigger mistake is wanting them to stay the same. They have an opportunity to always be, and get, better, and yet human beings hold onto the old, the known, and the things they think they want, and they run the risk of losing out on the things they truly do.<br /><br />The time for those to awaken to the things that truly matter is now. The things that truly matter never have price tags, despite what others believe to be true. Many think that value needs to have a number assigned to it. That is why there are lists. That is why there are boxes. That is why there are graphs, bar charts, bank accounts. That is why there are ratings. That is why there are so many things that divert from the things that are lacking in form - physical form, that is.<br /><br />The physical form of something is only an eggshell. It is only a covering. Knock it the right way and it can crack. Knock it a different way, and the shell can be remarkably strong, keeping things out, and other things in. Limitations are formed when a form is attempted to be maintained…it doesn’t matter what that is from a relationship to a vehicle, to another type of vehicle, the body. Everything has a form, and every form can and will change moment to moment. And what you do with it will have you standing, sitting, crying, crawling. You may want to crawl into a corner to think that you are safe. The problem is that corner isn’t safe. That corner is as flexible and changeable as anything else. There isn’t much between you and the outside world, and it can be gone in one fell swoop by words or actions, by creation or by destruction.<br /><br />You create when you grow or you destruct. The difference is only a matter of perspective. Which is it that you do? Do you grow or do you destruct? It’s all the same in terms of the energy and the result, however, it is what you see and what you experience that will take you to the next moment of growth which is right now and now and now and now. It is endless and it is unstoppable.<br /><br />The question is how unstoppable are you and how unstoppable are you willing to be?Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-8140346006835260412010-07-03T13:09:00.000-07:002010-07-03T13:17:25.368-07:00Perspective Short: Knowledge (CY)"Listen and learn and you will be amazed <br />at what you will teach yourself <br />about what you already KNOW."<br /><br />- Elizabeth Alraune (CY)Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-118189872371089222010-07-02T21:26:00.000-07:002010-07-02T21:28:27.962-07:00Perspective Short: PerfectionWhat if perfection doesn't look <br />the way we think it should?<br /><br />What if nothing's perfect<br />and everything is?<br /><br />Elizabeth AlrauneElizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-36040172752519115072010-06-29T22:43:00.000-07:002010-06-29T22:54:10.695-07:00A Letter of Love6-29-10 10:04 PM<br /><br />Mankind has thought for a long time that when it improved his situation, he was making life better. The problem and the answer were both deceptive. There never really was a problem, so there was really no answer to be found. <br /><br />Man is very clever, but he must learn when to say no to the things of his imaginings. Not everything that man becomes aware of must be acted on and not everything is going to make life any better. <br /><br />He must learn this lesson by either being simpler or being made to be simpler. <br /><br />Man is very jealous of other men and is always seeking ways to up himself over another. There have always been competitions to prove one's worth and one's mettle. Over time the competitions may have changed, but the competitive piece remains, and in competition is destruction. <br /><br />There may be the illusion of unity, however, the pieces that are in unison are working against the other pieces. Whenever there is competition there is weakness instead of strength. There is confusion instead of clarity. Mankind must begin to realize that the very thing that he aspires to, the very thing that he dreams of the very things he wishes for are all inside of himself. He must realize that the world outside is only a distraction. <br /><br />The environment in which he lives is being threatened one thought at a time. <br /><br />Man has become more distracted through the generations. He was never meant to become distracted. The things that have drawn his attention were meant to be tools to learn to compare to contrast to be able to see what was of value however instead of things showing what was of value things became the value...and until man is able to go within he is going to have to at times go without. <br /><br />There is great abundance in the world, and yet all of the clutter is having it disappear and fog over. It is becoming uncertain and the world is turning in ways it doesn’t need to because of the distractions. Mankind can begin to alter the external world by allowing itself to view the internal one. <br /><br />He must be able and willing to go within and look at himself and see himself clearly and when he does the world will clear up as well. Until then it is like a foggy cloudy nightmare and even though the sun does shine, it is no where to be found for some. The world needs its inhabitants to be able to see the sun shining for the world to get what it needs. <br /><br />For in darkness there is only death and despair, and while they are true and real emotions, there is a transformation that is possible with even one ray of sunshine. One ray of sunshine is all it takes to make a difference, and each person can be their own ray, if they are willing to get out of their own way and stop paying attention to what is going on with their neighbor in a competitive way. <br /><br />If he on the other hand is able to be friendly with his neighbor and be willing to support his neighbor, he will find that the one ray that he has will be multiplied many times, and the world as a whole will transform when the attention of the individuals shift from what they believe to be true to what they know to be true. <br /><br />The time has come to see what truly is and there is no more hiding from it. There are events that are compelling that are occurring – things that were once unfathomable that have become possible realities. The time is now whether man is ready or not does not matter because he must be involved in what happens next because he has brought much of this upon himself and this is not said as in a punishment or a judgment, but rather just an observation. <br /><br />What is now IS. What is tomorrow is something that can be all together different. <br /><br />There is nothing that is set in stone, only perceived to be so. Man is resilient, and man will find his way through what is about to happen…what remains to be seen is how he does it. There is no question of if, just only how. That is the one thing that mankind is able to control and that is how he personally comes to interact with nature and the events and his fellow man. <br /><br />The time is now to become aware and to stop doing, and start allowing. Start allowing himself to BE. The time to BE has come. Man must come to BE. When man comes to be, there will be peace in his heart, and peace on his earth. <br /><br />***<br /><br />Please let me know what you think of these messages.<br />Thanks!<br />ElizabethElizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-81583261860940686312010-06-29T09:37:00.000-07:002010-06-29T09:41:16.920-07:00Endlessly Seeking | Note of LoveI have decided that I am going to begin to <br />use what I have access to - what comes <br />through me - to see what might show up on<br />a more regular basis.<br /><br />This is what came today:<br /><br />Dear Ones<br />You are endlessly seeking the best of everything when all the while it is right in front of you. You are always in such a hurry to get where you already are. You are always seeking the ultimate - when what is ultimately yours in its purest most divine most beautiful form is right in front of you.<br /><br />Why do you seek more when it only leaves you with less?Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-41303970636470826682010-06-28T08:30:00.000-07:002010-06-29T09:37:09.532-07:00A Letter of LoveHere is a Letter of Love that was recently <br />written for someone and, as often is the <br />case, there seems to be a universal message<br />that can be appreciated by more than just<br />the one it was intended for. It also <br />mentions (briefly) about the oil situation<br />in the gulf.<br /><br />If you read it, please leave a comment, <br />and let me know your thoughts.<br /><br />Hope you are well. Thanks for stopping by!<br /><br />Want your own letter? See <a href="http://Notes-of-Love.com" target=_"blank">Notes-of-Love.com</a><br /><br />***<br /><br />You are a perfect child…full of fertile imaginings. <br />You can create anything, including perfect health <br />and happiness. You are a wonder to behold, and <br />yet you do not behold yourself as such. You are <br />one to be loved, and yet you do not love yourself... <br />at least not in the way that acknowledges that <br />love is present. You speak of Love and yet you <br />remove yourself from it. You dance around love <br />instead of dancing in love. You think somehow it <br />is for others, and yet you too are deserving of it. <br /><br />The aches and pains you feel are your desires to be <br />loved to feel love to embrace love to be embraced <br />by love you have a healthy love life to live and <br />you will live it because you are beginning to see <br />how you affect yourself and you are beginning to <br />find your own way. Reluctantly at times as you, <br />like other human beings, want to be told what to do. <br /><br />It makes no sense really as you already have the <br />answers and they await your acknowledgement and <br />action. It does not matter what will happen tomorrow <br />just as it does not matter what happened yesterday. <br /> <br />Claim now and live it to its fullest. Live it in all <br />of its preciousness. Live it fully and completely. <br />Live it totally conscious and aware and you will <br />find more beauty than you have ever imagined or known. <br /><br />Fear is anything but living in the present. Fear <br />only exists in relation to the past or to the future. <br />There is no fear in this moment. In this now. In this <br />now all there is is now. All there is is what you <br />choose. It’s what you choose and recently you released <br />a lot of hurt and pain and disappointment and anger. <br /><br />You were someone who has had much pain and disappointment <br />because you have yet to understand the power of this <br />moment of this now of who you are in this moment. You <br />are an incredible piece of beauty and love and direction <br />and you have much to share and this time of crisis and <br />pain and feeling lost will be something to share when <br />the time is right. <br /><br />You will know what it is that you need to share and <br />when is the time to share it. Keep being who you are <br />and embracing the love the care the concern the passion <br />the love it is all available to you at each and every <br />moment. Each and every moment is a gift that should <br />never be analyzed or assessed value. It is of value <br />in so many ways for so many people you must understand <br />that there is no way to understand something for another <br />that can be understood so many ways. Yes you can try <br />and even to yourself you can try to understand or you <br />can understand. <br /><br />You have the ability to understand right now in this <br />moment you have the ability to claim understanding. <br />There are zero absolutes. One will fight to the end <br />with a belief in absolutes. They will claim one thing <br />or another and they will die speaking “the” truth that <br />they believe. <br /><br />Even these gurus know within, that truth exists only <br />in a moment..and try as they may to capture the moment <br />they never can, and they never will. At least not <br />permanently. They catch it as easily as you would catch <br />a ray of light. It is only a momentary thing that <br />appears to be something that it is not. <br /><br />Human beings want to make things solid, and therefore <br />many things appear to be solid. The problem comes when <br />they are proven otherwise…they are lost, and they don’t <br />now what to do, because they are wanting something solid <br />to latch onto. <br /><br />There is nothing solid to latch onto ever…and the only <br />time there will seem to be is in that one precious moment <br />of awareness. <br /><br />Awaken from your sleep. Awaken from your dreams. <br />Awaken and recognize that the only power that you have <br />is the power of this moment the power of this now <br />the power of who you are. <br /><br />And yes it is the sum total of many things that would <br />appear past present and future, but once again it is <br />only a mere illusion. You must claim all that it is <br />in THIS moment. In This now. <br /><br />In this way are you are to be the empowered should that <br />you are meant to be. Life is a journey and journeys <br />never end. There is always a new turn a new twist and <br />the appearance of an ending. But there is truly no <br />end as there is truly no beginning. <br /><br />You will never reach an “end” point because you have <br />never begun. You are all that you need to be and always <br />will have everything that you need for the moment. <br /><br />Start listening and you will hear many things, and you <br />will know which ones to act on and which ones to dispose <br />of for when you hear things, you will hear an acknowledgement <br />and/or a call to action…a call to love, a call to act, a call <br />to forget, forgive...whatever it is, you will know if <br />you only listen. <br /><br />You must listen to what you must do to get the balance <br />you seek in your life. You are out of balance when you <br />aren’t listening because then you go off in a direction <br />that is fearful and/or motivated by anything other than <br />love. <br /><br />Love is never fearful. Love is never despair. Love is <br />never pain and love is never repair. Love is just there <br />and here and you are love my dear child. You are love <br />completely and totally and it is as solid as anything gets, <br />and yet it is fluid. It is something that morphs from <br />moment to moment and yet you are able to capture it in <br />any moment that you choose to. You can capture it in a <br />smile, in a laugh, in a hug, in a shared moment, in an <br />understanding, in an appreciation in art in music, in <br />the oil. <br /><br />Yes even the oil. There is love there. It is just <br />covered up by human beings who aren’t listening. It is <br />the perceived ugliness that is calling people to see the <br />beauty. <br /><br />There is much that is taken for granted when one isn’t <br />aware of the moment to moment nature of life and of love. <br />When you are in the moment, you are able to treat it with <br />love and respect and admiration or you are able to throw <br />it away. <br /><br />There truly is no future or past, however all nows are as <br />beautiful as the sum total of the moments that are <br />appreciated. There is no moment more precious or <br />beautiful than this one. <br /><br />Love it. Respect it. Cherish it. Adore it. BE IT.Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-72338019497167654822010-06-20T11:01:00.001-07:002010-06-20T11:07:15.805-07:00Hope this finds you well...It has been a long time since I have posted.<br /><br />Life has a way of taking twists and turns,<br />as we all know, and I have had to go off in<br />a different direction for a while now.<br /><br />I am still not sure where I am headed, and <br />was reminded recently that things are ever<br />changing and evolving, so while we may think<br />we know something, we just never know.<br /><br />It has been difficult for me to balance <br />everything...only so much energy to give.<br /><br />I do miss spending time here, and connecting<br />with those I did on Twitter. Occasionally<br />I will poke my fingers in, and say hey. <br /><br />I am not going to say much more at the moment,<br />however I did want to let those who appreciated<br />my 15 Essential Things to Ask Yourself, that I<br />now have <a href="http://jolope.com/15/more/15moreessentials.pdf" target="_blank">15 More Essential Things to Ask <br />Yourself</a>. <br /><br />If you get a chance to check it out, please<br />let me know your thoughts.<br /><br />As always, I hope you are well, safe, and <br />living a life that is true to who you are.<br /><br />with Love...Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-40917395887574474082009-12-28T13:00:00.000-08:002009-12-28T13:04:47.249-08:00Perspective: A good kind of exhaustionHave you ever really wanted something really bad?<br /><br />Have you done all that you could to make it happen,<br />even if didn't? Have you said all there is to<br />say?<br /><br />I came across this today, and I thought it an<br />interesting statement that I made to someone in<br />a letter:<br /><br />"I have done all that I can. I have exhausted<br />every avenue, every option, every street, every<br />thing...so much so I stand here feeling empty<br />and yet complete."<br /><br />The beauty is that it was a situation that I <br />very much wanted to turn out differently than it<br />did, however I found peace in the fact that I <br />said and did everything I could. <br /><br />Communication is a beautiful and powerful thing.Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-38194872708546841062009-12-28T12:21:00.000-08:002009-12-28T12:31:22.006-08:00Perspective: From A Third Grade Report CardToday I was going through some papers<br />one of which was my third grade report card.<br /><br />One of the teacher comments was,<br />"Elizabeth is a lovely child.<br />She can do better work and will <br />if she talks a bit less."<br /><br />I remember someone saying that the <br />thing you got into trouble for as a child<br />is likely the thing you are meant to do.<br /><br />I LOVE to talk to people, and I am in a <br />"talking profession"....what a surprise!<br />:-)<br /><br />We aren't all meant to be spectacular at<br />everything. While it is difficult for <br />me to do certain things, the one thing I<br />have always had ease in is talking to <br />people.<br /><br />The mistake we can make is to limit the<br />things we are good at in the interest of<br />refocusing on the things others find <br />more important.<br /><br />I remember as a child I always talked too<br />much - according to others. It may have<br />been my way of trying to get attention.<br />However, it also seems that I did - and<br />do - have a knack for it.<br /><br />What do YOU have a knack for? and what <br />are you doing with it?Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-65473149419111957202009-12-27T10:33:00.000-08:002009-12-27T10:45:30.551-08:00Things that make you go hmmm...People who know me know how much I get <br />upset when people are manipulated by the<br />likes of those who are adept at hypnotic<br />technique and NLP.<br /><br />Today I saw something that I think is<br />questionable. I know exactly what the <br />person is doing, and it troubles me.<br /><br />There was a blog entry about the "dangers<br />of conversational hypnosis" which ever so<br />conveniently linked to a program on how<br />to do conversational hypnosis. How much <br />you want to bet it's an affiliate link?<br /><br />When you tell someone about something like<br />this, the danger almost always often is a<br />call to investigate further.<br /><br />I have said for quite some time that people<br />CAN be manipulated with hypnotic technique,<br />and it concerns me that there are those who<br />are teaching others how to do it, claiming<br />that it's not the tool that is troubling, <br />but the people who use it. I even heard one<br />such person's audio which said that if you<br />were unethical you should not buy his program.<br /><br />All I can say to that is, "Puhleassse." If <br />someone didn't know what he was doing, they <br />might think how wonderful that he was discouraging<br />misuse. Do you really think someone unethical<br />would care about what he was saying? Besides<br />the fact that how he was saying it, was only<br />encouraging anyone and everyone listening to <br />buy his offering.<br /><br />And all I can say to you is do what you can<br />to become aware about what is possible. The<br />more aware you are, the less likely it is <br />that you could be manipulated. Sadly, I do<br />not believe there is any way to truly and <br />completely guard against abuse, but it is a<br />start.<br /><br />Be well and be safe...and enjoy the rest of <br />the year.<br /><br />with Love,<br />ElizabethElizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-58466960414479118462009-12-22T14:23:00.000-08:002009-12-22T14:54:25.435-08:00Perspective: Stores OnlineRecently I went to a seminar for Stores Online.<br /><br />They use a common ploy these days:<br /><br />They invite you to an hour and a half introduction,<br />and serve you a meal. In addition they offered a<br />"free" mp3 player. It wasn't an ipod. Although<br />if you wanted an ipod instead of the cheap looking<br />thing they offered, turns out you can get a <br />remanufactured one for shipping of about $8.<br /><br />The introduction they offer is convincing. They <br />tell you for $48 they will provide you an internet<br />workshop and lunch. They also tell you - to be<br />"fair" - that they will be selling you on their<br />products and services.<br /><br />I always like to learn as much as I can, so I paid<br />the money, and went to the day seminar.<br /><br />I wasn't sure what to expect. I had gone to a <br />similar one several years ago in NY, but thought <br />perhaps things had changed enough, it could be <br />worth it.<br /><br />Sadly, what I saw was manipulation.<br /><br />When I went several years ago, I didn't know what<br />I know now, and I "bought" into what they were <br />offering, only to rescind it within the legal period<br />of 3 days after purchase. I realized when I got <br />home and checked things out, it really wasn't for <br />me. They had, however, convinced me that what they<br />offered (which is "merely" tools and a platform)<br />would open my horizons.<br /><br />Back then I wasn't as aware of language and manipulation,<br />as I am now, and I have to wonder how much of that went<br />into play.<br /><br />Forward to this time, and I felt badly for those who<br />were manipulated into the purchase. OVER $6000 to <br />buy in, and then a monthly fee of about $50 (if I <br />remember correctly).<br /><br />Granted, everyone is looking for internet magic, <br />however, from what I could tell, they weren't offering<br />much of anything that isn't available somewhere else,<br />and for - in some cases - free.<br /><br />The instructor mentioned a "Key Word Tool" and said<br />that that alone was worth the money that they were <br />charging. I couldn't believe what he was saying! Yes,<br />it is a valuable tool, but it is also available through<br />Google at no charge!<br /><br />He also kept making a distinction between the "basic"<br />site (the one you got for $48) and their more advanced<br />site with all of the tools. Interestingly, for an<br />internet seminar that was supposed to teach you <br />something, it was sorely lacking for anyone who wasn't<br />in a position to (or desirous to) spend the money. <br />None of the things that were really helpful were a part<br />of the "basic" plan/site.<br /><br />Didn't have the money? No problem. They had financing.<br /><br />If you weren't going to do this, and you had credit<br />problems, then good luck to you, because if you didn't<br />have a merchant account, then people wouldn't do business<br />with you. They - my friends - were your savior.<br /><br />I decided to write about this because I have some <br />perspective regarding their services, and my experience.<br /><br />I went knowing nothing, and got "sold." I went knowing<br />something and came away with a story to tell. I find it<br />sad that there are so many organizations that will <br />manipulate you into doing something, and under the <br />guise of "helping you."<br /><br />To be fair, some people have had success with their<br />products. However, I suspect the failure rate is much<br />higher. There are many complaints about them on the <br />web. <br /><br />They do tell you that you're on your own with these tools.<br />They don't make promises that they don't keep (at least<br />not as far as I can tell). But what they do do is <br />manipulate people into buying something that may not <br />be beneficial, or right, for them by weaving a deceptive<br />web that could easily be caught up in.<br /><br />My experience of their over all attitude was that they<br />were quite arrogant. As with anything, I always say <br />you need to find your own way - listen to your gut - and <br />if what they offer truly speaks to you, then by<br />all means, act on it. You could be one of those success<br />stories.<br /><br />However I have found that you can "get by" on your own a<br />lot less cheaply. Don't know how, or where to start,<br />perhaps I can help. I do all of my own stuff, and find<br />that while it may not be the best, it is a place to start.<br />I'd be happy to see how I could help you get started.<br /><br />All the best to you.<br />Hope you are enjoying your holidays!<br />ElizabethElizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-89249396670890268952009-12-17T10:53:00.000-08:002009-12-17T10:54:50.827-08:00Muppet Internet PerspectiveBe sure to watch to the end :-)<br /><br /><object width="390" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kDA9NbPAK8o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kDA9NbPAK8o&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="390" height="344"></embed></object>Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-60777052190976392752009-12-08T16:26:00.000-08:002009-12-08T16:38:00.231-08:00Joy, Santa, and Susan Boyle<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhrlOislWnavfUEnE8y7HzI9peKkKBBWMqdITobvLhCV2MQtnha73FiSaMvHpTlwZ9FaICQglcfbeuzApEKX2WeqRCI3WOWAx8VE0M68M0XjPqHOHL99OEVhnVl28yKofajc-vlxTN7k/s1600-h/joy.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQhrlOislWnavfUEnE8y7HzI9peKkKBBWMqdITobvLhCV2MQtnha73FiSaMvHpTlwZ9FaICQglcfbeuzApEKX2WeqRCI3WOWAx8VE0M68M0XjPqHOHL99OEVhnVl28yKofajc-vlxTN7k/s320/joy.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413026648995352834" /></a><br />As much as I don't appreciate the <br />commercial aspects of the upcoming holiday, <br />I can't help but wonder what a world would be like that <br />exhibited more of the pure joy <br />Santa brings to the child in us.<br /><br />By the way, I heard Susan Boyle's version<br />of Silent Night today - it is so beautiful<br />Listen for yourself (affiliate link)<br /><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=jo0a-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B002XSQSW6&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /></center>Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5168337788506782369.post-7096095792969290002009-12-08T13:10:00.000-08:002009-12-08T13:45:30.731-08:00The Paradox of Deciding Who Dies and HowI just saw this article about an <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_re_us/us_ohio_execution">Ohio inmate who <br />was executed via lethal injection</a>.<br /><br />I am writing about it because it occurred<br />to me that it seemed rather paradoxical <br />that we live in a culture that would think<br />that OK, while being against a person's <br />right to choose to die (such in the case<br />of someone who is terminally ill).<br /><br />I realize that inherent in the choices is<br />likely to be a judgment of what a life worth <br />living is. However, I have to wonder how a<br />life in pain is judged to be worth living, <br />IF the person living it is suffering so much <br />that he or she wants to make the choice to die.<br /><br />I realize it - like many things - is a <br />complex set of issues and facts, however,<br />the problem, to some degree for me, is how<br />those who aren't in the situation get to <br />dictate what is allowable for someone who is.<br /><br />In my opinion, when there is a true respect<br />for a life and an individual, there is an<br />awareness of a perspective that may vary<br />greatly from one's own. In some cases it <br />may be wise and helpful to watch out for <br />another, but when does watching out become<br />unnecessary - unwanted - control?<br /><br />I'd like to think that most people have the<br />best of intentions when it comes to others.<br />However, these intentions can be troubling<br />to the intended recipient. <br /><br />We may not always understand another's <br />perspective, but if we are truly to help<br />another, I think we must allow for varying<br />personal experiences, even when we disagree.<br /><br />I also think it worthy to consider that<br />the choices we may inflict on another may<br />have more to do with us, than with them.<br /><br />I am not saying that I know "THE" answer,<br />because I don't know that there is ONE.<br /><br />However, what I do know is that throughout<br />life most people I know desire to be heard,<br />and paid attention to, and to have their<br />perspectives respected. Given that death <br />is a part of life, I would suspect that the <br />same would hold true even as someone <br />terminally ill knows more about the<br />impending end than others might.<br /><br />What are your thoughts on <br />this very difficult topic?<br /><br />(Want some perspective on assisted suicide?<br />visit <a href="http://www.assistedsuicide.org/">http://www.assistedsuicide.org/</a>)Elizabeth Alraunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06424278576626529817noreply@blogger.com0