The Shepherds Tree

I remember the last time I heard the wind whisper your name across the desert plain. 
The wind she blew you on adventure away from your sheep and away from me. 
So I wait for you. I wait until the sons of ISIS bring you back to me. 
While I wait my heart lies buried deep in a tomb somewhere neath the Valley of the Kings. 
And I sit under the Shepherds Tree, holding your staff, watching your flock. 
It shelters me, bark healing smooth grey knotted and scarred, it holds me tight while I wait. 

I remember the last time I watched the waves carry you far away past the Nile. 
The river she beckoned you on a hero’s journey closer to the sun and closer to your gold. 
So I wait for you. I wait until the sons of ISIS bring you back to me. 
While I wait my heart lies buried deep in a tomb somewhere neath the Valley of the Kings. 
And I sit under the Shepherds Tree, canopy of autumn leaves filtering the sky. 
It comforts me, clusters of khaki star shaped buds so strongly sweet, it holds me tight while I wait. 

Blue fades to grey darkens to night and holds each star in its own time and space.
Black melts brown into fuscia golden sunrise and holds my heart in its own time and place. 
So I send you on your way and wish a thousand of every good and pure thing for your ka. 

I remember the first time I saw you midnight dreaming under the Shepherds Tree.
The moon she called you on a quest following your bliss following your heart. 
Since then I have waited for you. I wait until the sons of ISIS bring you back to me. 
While I wait my heart lies buried deep in a tomb somewhere neath the Valley of the Kings. 
And I sit under the Shepherds Tree, parched summer breeze humming of tales long ago. 
They remind me, fragments of you burnt into memory, to hold me tight while I wait. 

As the stars need the night sky and the eye needs the storm 
As my earth needs your fire and the tide needs the moon 
I need you like the desert sun. 

Sold

Make a list today of which industry sells you by using fear and which industry sells you by using love? Which industry sells you pain and which industry sells you ease? What if you could flip the sell and see where you already have what they are selling you? What if you saw that there was equally nothing to lose or gain at anytime? What can you sell YOURSELF today?

Conversations with Millie

I don't see the prison to my right or the cemetary to my left or the burgeoning new housing estate behind me. If all I see is the blue sky above and the gum trees that stand silently beside me, feel the cool teasing breeze of the imminent evening tugging at my hair as I walk along this old bumpy road, if all I hear are the caws of the crows, the delight of the parrots fighting over the mangoes in the trees, the silly tweets of the tiny little sparrows as they dart in between the broken down fence, if all I see are the mountains that frame this scene, and the sweet distant mooing of a cow ready to bed down for the night, 2011 is but a haze in the distance. It is 1969 and I'm a child holidaying on my grandparents farm. The kookaburras chuckle at my childlike wonder as I sit deep in memory. 

What is the magic of this time in the afternoon as I sit on this hill overlooking a green picture book country side? What is the comfort that the bush gives me that I don't get anywhere else in the world. My heart is light and I feel like I'm home. I breathe deeply in relief and my body feels like it can just be for a moment.My connection to life, flows through me stronger when I'm out here. The birds, the breeze, the leaves as they gently rustle are all reminders of the wealth that is right in front of me. I want to wrap myself in this moment. I wish to camp out here under the stars with nothing to cover me but this majesty and beauty. The creeks, that swelled and overflowed in January, calmly sit reflecting the sky while kangaroos congregate on the hill to farewell the day and settle for the night.

I can almost see Millie, my grandma, sitting on the steps of the dilapidated old farm house perched on the hill opposite me. She dusts off her apron, bends to the side to pull a couple of weeds from her geranium patch under the steps and wipes the sweat off her brow as she plans her next job for the day. Its not just the mundane household chores of cooking, cleaning, washing, gardening and sewing – she rises at 3am to help her husband do the milking and is planning another of her many projects – always for the benefit of others – household, family, church, school or community. Her sister is visiting and she’ll clean up after dinner quickly so she can play games with Aggie – roaring with laughter while scheming to annihilate each other in scrabble and Chinese checkers strategy.

I think of Millie often throughout my life but this evening, seated outside surrounded by bush, valleys, hills and landscapes dotted with farms, dams, paddocks and sheds, she is with me as if the memory overlaps into my present.

“Can you feel the trees here? Can you hear the birds and the crickets? They are singing to you. This symphony kept me alive in times of exhaustion, stress and grief and heartache. The sound of the bush is the sound of the stars is the sound of my mother’s heartbeat in the womb. Feel this space – the peace – the green – remember and breathe it in slowly and deeply. Do you remember having a bath in the late afternoons, changing into freshly starched hand sewn pyjamas, having early dinner and then sitting on the steps listening to the bush? You were never afraid and always eager to explore and discover the life that danced amongst the trees at twilight.”

“Drape yourself in your childhood memories of bush, farm, playing, freedom, silence, safety and love. Your parents loved you well for they recognised that you needed to be in the bush. Taking you to wherever I was and to Cooran was their gift to you. The smells of the bush ignite a fire in your heart and this fire is me – my love – my energy – my life force transformed.”

“A big part of you have become a cynic and your jaded view of soul mates and love diminishes your view of that glorious landscape. Look closer. You have been shown the colours and textures of your own heart and been loved deeply. Open your hands, kiss the dove that you hold and give it permission to fly free - fly into the divine blue sky that tomorrow holds.”

As the setting sun fades the green of this valley, the damp emerald of the vines that climb over the cow bales tease my nose with smells that erase so many decades at once taking me back to just outside the kitchen where I can almost hear Millie and Aggie rolling around in loud guffaws as they bellow about their made up seven letter triple score words.

Venus has appeared above my head, giving me a sign that love is all around me, as I sit on this hill overlooking a green picture book country side, safe in the arms of my memories - my very own made up triple score story.

Conversations with Millie

I don't see the prison to my right or the cemetary to my left or the burgeoning new housing estate behind me. If all I see is the blue sky above and the gum trees that stand silently beside me, feel the cool teasing breeze of the imminent evening tugging at my hair as I walk along this old bumpy road, if all I hear are the caws of the crows, the delight of the parrots fighting over the mangoes in the trees, the silly tweets of the tiny little sparrows as they dart in between the broken down fence, if all I see are the mountains that frame this scene, and the sweet distant mooing of a cow ready to bed down for the night, 2011 is but a haze in the distance. It is 1969 and I'm a child holidaying on my grandparents farm. The kookaburras chuckle at my childlike wonder as I sit deep in memory. 

What is the magic of this time in the afternoon as I sit on this hill overlooking a green picture book country side? What is the comfort that the bush gives me that I don't get anywhere else in the world. My heart is light and I feel like I'm home. I breathe deeply in relief and my body feels like it can just be for a moment.My connection to life, flows through me stronger when I'm out here. The birds, the breeze, the leaves as they gently rustle are all reminders of the wealth that is right in front of me. I want to wrap myself in this moment. I wish to camp out here under the stars with nothing to cover me but this majesty and beauty. The creeks, that swelled and overflowed in January, calmly sit reflecting the sky while kangaroos congregate on the hill to farewell the day and settle for the night.

I can almost see Millie, my grandma, sitting on the steps of the dilapidated old farm house perched on the hill opposite me. She dusts off her apron, bends to the side to pull a couple of weeds from her geranium patch under the steps and wipes the sweat off her brow as she plans her next job for the day. Its not just the mundane household chores of cooking, cleaning, washing, gardening and sewing – she rises at 3am to help her husband do the milking and is planning another of her many projects – always for the benefit of others – household, family, church, school or community. Her sister is visiting and she’ll clean up after dinner quickly so she can play games with Aggie – roaring with laughter while scheming to annihilate each other in scrabble and Chinese checkers strategy.

I think of Millie often throughout my life but this evening, seated outside surrounded by bush, valleys, hills and landscapes dotted with farms, dams, paddocks and sheds, she is with me as if the memory overlaps into my present.

“Can you feel the trees here? Can you hear the birds and the crickets? They are singing to you. This symphony kept me alive in times of exhaustion, stress and grief and heartache. The sound of the bush is the sound of the stars is the sound of my mother’s heartbeat in the womb. Feel this space – the peace – the green – remember and breathe it in slowly and deeply. Do you remember having a bath in the late afternoons, changing into freshly starched hand sewn pyjamas, having early dinner and then sitting on the steps listening to the bush? You were never afraid and always eager to explore and discover the life that danced amongst the trees at twilight.”

“Drape yourself in your childhood memories of bush, farm, playing, freedom, silence, safety and love. Your parents loved you well for they recognised that you needed to be in the bush. Taking you to wherever I was and to Cooran was their gift to you. The smells of the bush ignite a fire in your heart and this fire is me – my love – my energy – my life force transformed.”

“A big part of you have become a cynic and your jaded view of soul mates and love diminishes your view of that glorious landscape. Look closer. You have been shown the colours and textures of your own heart and been loved deeply. Open your hands, kiss the dove that you hold and give it permission to fly free - fly into the divine blue sky that tomorrow holds.”

As the setting sun fades the green of this valley, the damp emerald of the vines that climb over the cow bales tease my nose with smells that erase so many decades at once taking me back to just outside the kitchen where I can almost hear Millie and Aggie rolling around in loud guffaws as they bellow about their made up seven letter triple score words.

Venus has appeared above my head, giving me a sign that love is all around me, as I sit on this hill overlooking a green picture book country side, safe in the arms of my memories - my very own made up triple score story.

Chasing Answers

My first sentence as a baby was the question “How?”. I have grown up NEEDING to know. Chasing answers like butterflies has been second nature. My entire life has been “Making it Happen” instead of “I wonder what may happen?” OR "Wow look at what is happening?". 

Collecting books, opinions, stories, evidence, people and experiences, my obsession with knowledge has transformed from a need to a choice to a black hole of possibilities. Being a raging Life Voyeur and throwing discussion subjects in the air and watching dinner party guests embrace the opinion challenge is my way of appreciating this ancient pattern of mine and keeping black holes open instead of closed off in one person’s certainty. I don’t wish to delete my pattern of “wanting to know”. I choose merely to value it for what it is and remain open to everyone’s “story”.


In my “story”, my observations have led me to a conclusion that the mythology of us, the stories we choose to live, remain – regardless of how much knowledge we gain, “work” on ourselves, develop, train, educate or articulate. 

My son is a gifted composer. No matter what style, genre, lyric or production used, he seems to be writing the same song. 
My friend is an incredible artist – always painting the same picture. 
I am consistently writing the one story in several different forms, characters, locations and plots.
Is this the driving force behind all that we do - our purpose, our myth and ultimately our brand? 

Linking results of scientific experiments where we define a truth, form a belief, measure against a benchmark, gather information, characterise, identify, develop hypothesis, analyse and interpret and draw conclusions, apply principles via test and trial, confirm, evaluate and iterate, publish, obtain peer review and ultimately define a truth – isn’t this all filtered via the “story” of us? We examine what lies underneath our logic, our belief, our filtering system.

What underpins what? 
How do we demarcate? 
How do we know what we know? 
What impact does our culture have on the way we use language make assumptions, join the dots and communicate? 
What impact does our community have on the way we use language make assumptions, join the dots and communicate? 
What impact do our beliefs have on the way we use language make assumptions, join the dots and communicate?

If I link my “story” to research, utilise intelligent articulation of language, told via the value system of my target market, sold in a solid and certain confident manner, isn’t it possible to provide evidence for my “story” in whatever form I choose? Religion, culture, brand, business, philosophy or science?

For example what if I observe behaviour based upon a benchmark that I have created – more often than not as part of my bio survival responses in my childhood. Pleasure = Good. Pain = Bad. Where does the benchmark originate? Parents, school, TV, Movies, Books, Religion – any source which I have deemed to be my authority. Comparison of my observation is made against this benchmark and measured based on a set of criteria (that I have also typically created in my childhood). 

Examples of this behaviour are established within this observation, and I identify behavioural characteristics, creating definitions according to these benchmarks. A hypothesis is developed based on this data and predictions are prepared accordingly. My various archetypes play and experiment, test and trial these behaviours as I iterate and repeat patterns creating cycles and structures for my behaviour. As a consequence confirmations of this behaviour are made – either by myself or from the reflections of the people in my life (or well paid professionals), I begin to identify myself with this little scientific experiment that I have so expertly fashioned and created and loop this little pattern again and again, reiterating and reinforcing a definition of a so called “truth.”

In short, I don’t know anything with certainty. And I’m ok with that! I love playing the game of discovery and possibility though – that’s a slightly different game. It’s fun and liberating NOT to close myself off to one opinion. The paradox of course is that in writing all the above words, I have certainty, know much and have opinions about having not one opinion yet still know nothing - especially WHO I REALLY AM.

And truly - does it really matter?

The Dynamic of Balance

A dynamic exists in every entity. Nature will naturally balance this.
On this side of the planet it is day. On the other side of the planet it is night.

In your Relationship, there is a dynamic. In your Family, there is a dynamic.
In your Workplace, there is a dynamic. In your Community, there is a dynamic.
In your City, there is a dynamic. In your Country, there is a dynamic.
In your Earth, there is a dynamic. In your Galaxy, there is a dynamic.
In your Body, there is a dynamic. In your Mind, there is a dynamic.
In your Heart, there is a dynamic. In your Soul, there is a dynamic.

What the many repress the select express. What ONE represses, the other will express.
CAUSE = EFFECT in Space and Time.

Theologica Aristotelis - Aristotle's Essays on Ethics and Metaphysics holds the premise that in life there is an order where nothing is missing. Dr John F Demartini bases his philosophy on this concept - nothing is missing - it is in a different form.

In this age of global financial crisis, climate change, green living and sustainability, this may be a concept that doesnt seem to fit easily. However if you look closely, this is what sustainable is ACTUALLY all about.

Living in balance.
Living in appreciation.

So before we look at the Earth - lets draw an analogy to the human body - when it is under stress, it is balancing de generation and the 12 different systems (eg Circulatory, Digestive, Endocrine, Muscular, Nervous etc) will take over from each other in order to keep the body alive - the pancreas may take over from the stomach to aid digestion in turn liver and adrenal rebalancing in order to maintain survival. There is always a cost in this balancing and eventually the body system will require a quasi "reboot" nutrtitionally to get it back on track. 

Similarly, our Earth, like our human bodies, is in the process of balancing a de generation of sorts. Aristotle says "Nothing is Missing and the balance WILL be conserved". Like our human body, this conservation process will incur a cost to our different Systems (eg Natural, Ecological, Chemical, Geological, Physics etc) and be expressed across Regions (Polar, Temperate, Tropics, Sub Tropics) and Seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) in various Cycles (eg Biological, Agricultural, Astronmonical, Time, Climate, Electromagnetic, Mythical and Cultural).

Everything that we do on this Earth - swills around in our Eco Footprint. If we can appreciate and understand how the Earth systems actually work, we can begin to manage our own Eco Footprint to minimise the cost somewhat. This is where the "attitude of gratitude" where we appreciate our Earth resources - will truly add value to our Earth and ultimately our lives.

In a very basic sense, what we choose to eat really can have some major environmental consequences. We’re often not aware of the energy, water and materials that go into producing items like a chocolate bar, soft drink or packet of chips - not to mention the fuel burnt to get these things to you.

Simple, unprocessed foods require much less energy and water.
Food is actually the biggest part of our personal eco-footprint (the land area needed to support a person’s lifestyle). Animal products make up 34% of our footprint - and that’s mainly red meat and dairy foods – while vegetable foods make up a further 8%.

We need our gardens to be in harmony with the natural environment.
This means not using too much water on the garden and choosing drought-resistant native plants and lawns. Combine that with keeping our gardens chemical free and growing more Australian plants to provide habitat for native animals, and we can really make a difference.

When you look at you body, you know how very important it is to balance all the systems through nutrition and excercise and a healthy balance between the seven areas of life.

When you look at our earth, you know how very important it is to balance all the systems through appreciation and value of resource for a healthy balanced expression in the continuous Cycles of life.

Your Gold

A stream, high in the mountains, is being panned for gold.
You are given a battered old lead pan.
People line the stream beside you in faith that you will lead them to gold.
Once you teach yourself how to pan for gold, you realise that the gold you are finding is being created by you simply by seeing it.
Gold drops from your fingertips and your footprints in the shallow sand of the stream leave a ream of gold wherever you pass.
You see gold everywhere. Read More.....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/your-gold.html#more

Terrestrial Intention

Silent sentinel I stand in a world that holds endless species of light.
I am Surya driving through the heavens.
You look up and imagine that you see a golden orb.
This sun is merely your own reflection.
It is your own heart.
It is your own light.
The light you seek is within you.
The light you seek is within me.
The sky of the old order fell when a bird was knocked from his perch and the deluge destroyed the people of the wood. Read More ...http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/stand-tall.html#more

Just Driving

My beloved brand new Peugot was waiting for me at home after five weeks of being a New Yorker pedestrian. I hop in, turn the key, and nothing happens. Shit the battery has gone dead! Roadside Assist arrive within the hour to start my car and it is recommended that I drive for at least an hour to charge the battery.  Read More....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/just-driving.html#more

Question

Bertrand Russell said "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Be surprised and ask "What the" on a regular basis. You never know where it may lead you. :-)

Homeostasis

As with the body, extreme pain can be experienced for example when storms, floods and droughts express a planetary homeostatic imbalance thus providing humanity with feedback and information to make new choices and inspire new behaviors to equilibrate the health of our earth.  Read More....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/homeostasis.html#more

Play

Play is a vehicle for self discovery and blowing off steam. You get to try out all sorts of alternatives with absolutely nothing at stake - the ultimate in creativity! Each day, try not to sacrifice your light hearted nature by letting life get too serious and get in touch with your inner muse. Remember what it felt like to be a kid, lie on the grass and make shapes out of the clouds, scribble with crayons, dance like you did when you were three, cut out shapes, images and words, play the drums on your saucepans - just play! And remember how it feels.......

True Blue Skip

After a storm, the colors of a rainbow glow in pure brilliance. The children of the rainbow serpent, the melting pot of Australian immigrants, my Hibernian background and my Mediterranean offspring – we are all true blue skips. Read More.....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/true-blue-skip.html#more

Love To

The body is seeking Love in order to survive. 
If the heart doesn’t take action, the head will. 
If the head won’t take action, the body will.  Read More .....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/begins-with-love-to.html#more

 

Love To

The body is seeking Love in order to survive. 
If the heart doesn’t take action, the head will. 
If the head won’t take action, the body will.  Read More .....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/begins-with-love-to.html#more

Appreciating Your Business Story

Very successful, wealthy, high profile advertising guru and, up until this point, extremely fit and healthy, my client, let’s call him Jack, found himself in an emergency ward at 2am one morning last week suffering chest pains. What events took this energetic self made man to this potentially life threatening situation? Read More ....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/appreciating-your-business-story.html

Exchange

Exchange is the basis of life. Fair Exchange is according to one perspective. Everything that happens in life is a commercial opportunity. If someone can effectively utilise a resource and get more out of it by investing time and energy into doing so, then this will be charged and sold on accordingly where needed or where it is perceived to be needed. Read More....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/exchange-enlightenment.html#more

Take the Helm

Henrik Ibsen said "A Community is like a ship: Everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." Practice. Take the lead and imagine that you are the only person available to do what needs to be done. Do it for the good of your community. Do it without expecting anything in return. Wow how does that feel? :-)

Available Right Now

The impossible is simply another Business Opportunity. Niche free and available right now. As its impossible, no one else will compete with you.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, 
With conquering limbs astride from land to land; 
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand 
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame ...Read More....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/new-colossus.html

Exchange

Exchange is the basis of life. Fair Exchange is according to one perspective. Everything that happens in life is a commercial opportunity. If someone can effectively utilise a resource and get more out of it by investing time and energy into doing so, then this will be charged and sold on accordingly where needed or where it is perceived to be needed. Read More....http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2010/12/exchange-enlightenment.html#more

I Wish I had More

For most of us, asking for what we want is the hardest thing that we can ever do. How often do we say: “I wish I had more money.” “I wish I had more time.” “I wish I had more love.” yet without making any real changes to the present structures of our lives. In New York recently I was fascinated by the increased number of beggars.  Anytime day or night, on the subway, in restaurants, at the Port Authority and at theatre entrances, people had no hesitation about asking for money in a variety of creative ways.  Some sang, some danced, some offered directions and many simply presented a binding obligation to feed. Read More..... them. http://nicholaburton.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-what-you-want.html

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