The Force is strong in Sydney

There is much that could be said about this one...but I'll leave that to YOU!

37 reasons to get up in the morning

Happy Birthday to me!
Yes, I have made it to yet another milestone. 37 is as good as any random number to celebrate being alive and wandering this fair planet.

Here are 37 fabulous reasons to throw back the doona, do a jig, and crack a smile for the day.

1. I have four limbs, full mental faculties (most days), and all body parts working in unison (except while playing golf).
2. I can read and write, unlike a billion others in the world.
3. I have a computer, even if it does operate as if powered by small rodent on treadmill.
4. I have a loving husband who spoils me rotten (blueberry pancakes on birthday morning anyone?)
5. My days are inexorably (is this a word?) filled with peaceful moments.
6. A ton of books just waiting to be read and savoured. More than I can hope to read in this lifetime.
7. Rain.
8. Snow.
9. Sunshine.
10. Cats love to cuddle and purr all over me. This is nice, even if it does make me break out in hives and make my nose run like a torrent.
11. Star Wars on DVD. I can watch it again and again. And again.
12. Family who care enough to wake me up in the middle of the night to wish me happy birthday.
13. In-laws who like me enough to bake me a cake and give me kitchen appliances.
14. Membership to a gym where they know me by name.
15. Boobs any woman might envy, even though they do not know the dramas of finding a good jogging bra.
16. Roger Federer playing in Wimbledon again. The man is poetry in sport. They should have called him Wordsworth.
17. Friends who call me and remind me that they still love me, even with more wrinkles and silver hair.
18. More adventures to be had each day.
19. More opportunities to make babies.
20. More chances to connect with people, spread a little joy and peace, and eat chocolate.
21. Wonderful mentors and coaches. Thanks Drew!
22. Work that is creative and exciting and fun.
23. The BBC production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
24. Seeing the way Virginia Hausegger smiles at the weather guy on ABC news each night.
25. Selling cool stuff that helps people.
26. Cuddles from a husband who never tires of my silliness.
27. I drive a very cool car - Subaru Impreza R. Silver. Hatchback. Love it!
28. Funky hip parents who own a nice B & B in Prince Edward Island.
    
29. A sister who lives in New York who loves to have us visit. Big Apple holiday - here we come!
30. My camera. I love taking photos. It helps expand perspective.
31. My boogie board. You want true freedom? Ride a wave. Your life will be changed forever.
32. Amazon bookstore. What a cool business!
33. To see my vision of the Hang Out fulfilled: a health and wellness centre that incorporates personal development with health, fitness, and a cool place to hang out.
34. Opportunity to make the small moments count.
35. I'm not 40 yet!
36. I live in Australia: land of beautiful beaches, amazing wilderness, fun friendly people, sunshine, freedom and peace.
37. I'm breathing and above ground. That's reason enough!
    

Anakin Skywalker knew the Secret, but missed the boat

I admit it, I'm a self-confessed Star Wars geek/fan. The whole good vs evil, tragic hero, and wild fantasy is just soooo addictive.

Lately I have been re-watching the movies (for the zillionth time) and seeing the whole Law of Attraction unfold in the narrative.

George Lucas was ahead of his time!

So here we have good guy(Anakin Skywalker) who turns to the Dark Side to become ultimate-bad-guy Darth Vader.

Before the last series of movies, there was always the big question about 'why' Anakin went from being the best Jedi knight around to the real nasty of nasties, Darth Vader. Episode 3 shows it's his fear of losing his love, Padme, that drives him to try any means possible to save her from death in childbirth, including turning to the Dark Side, murdering kids, and attempting to kill his friend and mentor ObiWan Kenobi. Nice, eh?!

How he thought his wife would somehow 'get over' these little hiccups is anyone's guess. She of course does die in childbirth, allegedly of a broken heart when she discovers Anakin has changed (mild understatement).

From a Law of Attraction point of view, Anakin attracted everything he focused on and invested with intense energy. First he lusted after Padme for ten years since he first met her until she finally succumbed to his charms. Next, his fear of losing Padme consumed him. It is no surprise that this is what comes to pass. What we focus on and feel about most strongly tends to manifest. What we resist persists.

So it's his fear of loss that tortures the poor lad into evil. It's pretty obvious that Anakin is in desperate need of some energy/anger management techniques. His emotions overwhelm him. He is swept up in trying to suppress the awful pain of losing his lover. Those Jedi Masters, for all their wisdom, failed to teach him how to release the energy of his emotions and find peace. They were forever telling what not to do: 'watch your pride (don't be boastful), beware of arrogance (don't be oblivious to your faults), 'anger leads to the dark side' (stop being so angry), etc. But no advice on how to transcend his pain. He was somehow just meant to suppress it and 'let it go'.

Even our little green friend Yoda tells him to 'let go of what you fear to lose' but does not tell him how.

Have you ever been told to 'just get over it', 'time heals all wounds', 'this too shall pass', 'everything happens for a reason'? Great little snippets, but are not at all helpful in processing the energy of intense emotion.

So here's what might have helped Anakin had the Jedis known a little more about the energetic vulnerabilities of people in pain. Coach Master Zoe might tell young Skywalker, "First, focus on what you want, not what you don't want. (stop thinking about Padme dying and focus instead on you sharing your lives together with your babies). Next, anytime you feel anger, hatred, and fear well up in you, simply focus on where you feel it in your body, pay attention to its presence, and feel it dissipate. Alternatively, practise some EFT to scramble the emotional energy patterns. You can also journal about it too - verbal rants can be a great release."

Now of course these suggestions hardly make for great cinematic viewing. Can you imagine Anakin tapping on his meridians points as he fretted over Padme or pulling out his diary every time he felt a little anxious? From a movie's point of view, it is far better for Anakin to chuck a wobbly and slash a few people with his light sabre.

Ok so your life is not like a Jedi's in Star Wars. However, you would do well to explore where your emotions are being stymied or allowed to strangle your life. A bit of releasing and positive focus might allow you to leave the Dark Side behind and embrace a more peaceful way of life.

Remember, the Force is with you , always. ;)