Hello Doctor…

Some the things I get to do with my since retirement are most important to me. My friend Kasim Al-Mashat recently faced his final oral examination for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for Counselling Psychology.

These examinations are open to the public! What a great way to hear what the thinkers of today are bringing to the world.

Kasim and Hunter

These folk are the Stephen Pinkers and Elizabeth Gilberts of our future.

Kasim believs that healing occurs in community and talked about post-traumatic growth. Individuals can healing within community, and communities as groups can heal. My healing takes place when I release my own grudges towards others.

His use of narrative inquiry (storytelling) made his presentation enjoyable and understandable: Dream of the Hanging Gardens: Iraqi Refugees and Exiles in Jordan, Their Migration and Adaptation Experiences. This is a presentation I would like to hear again.

Some thoughts I was left to ponder:

• Coping is incorporating action
• What is the role of employment in the transition phase?
• How do I honor the experiences of others?
• Am I transparent of my biases?
• What do I really understand about social justice in the context of voices of people who are tweeting, Facebooking or blogging?
  What is viral media?

Long Term Vision 80% in just 6 years!

I went through my Long Term Vision guide this afternoon. One that I wrote in March 2005 while being coached by Andrew Barber-Starkey of Procoach Success Systems. 

Wow! Can you believe that about 80% of my intentions have come to pass.

In being able to look back over these past 6 years, I have to say that it is miraculous.  And an integral part of my process was having a coach.

Some of the successes?

• Business and Career – I work and travel in comfort around the globe
  
• Money & Finance – I feel confident and proud of my financial achievements
• Primary Relationship – Wow! I have the most wonderful and supportive partner
• Family & Friends – Family and I have found a happy place to meet
• Recreation & Lifestyle – I am given gifts of clothing and gems and watches (all top of the line) and in turn am able to give the same
• Personal Development – I have grown to a depth and understanding that I could not conceive of in 2005
• Contribution – I sometimes give $$ but often fund spiritual development, arts, education in business, etc by giving my time and sharing knowledge
• Spiritual Connection – Doesn’t the above say it all?

I like being a 72

Does anyone really want to be perfect?  To have everything under control in life and around them?

After  thinking about it, my answer is NO. I like being a little daffy, a little imperfect. Variety is the spice of life.

Beautiful spices in a Fijian farmer

My self-esteem has changed over the years.  I have grown and matured. The shy nervous girl of my teens has morphed into a confident (though not necessarily competent) business woman, to a relaxed entrepreneur.

So, grab a pencil and piece of paper. (remember those old fashioned things?) and see where you’re at.

On a scale of 10 through 1 rate yourself.
(1 = disagree or not at all, 10 = fully agree.)

Tally it up and I’d love to see your Comment – how did you score yourself. See what I came up with at the end. See you there.

1. I firmly believe in certain values and principles, and am ready to defend them even when finding opposition, feeling secure enough to modify them in light of experience.

2. I am able to act according to

Karissa Tynes – A Woman to Watch

Years ago, a little toddler caught my eye as her dad and I performed at a Highland Game in Victoria, BC.

From her first role as one of the children of The Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe with Monkeyshine Theatre, she has now held a supporting role in a Disney film “Sixteen Wishes.”

Today this “toddler” is building a career of her dreams to become a successful actress, balanced, with integrity, and joy in her art.

Here is an interview from Celebrity Interviews blog.

Wishing Karissa the best in a career with integrity, creativity, exploration and joy.

The Wonders of Scalar Energy

I am trying to understand the marvel of ">Scalar Energy and it is like discovering sex anew.

Life Is Just Around The Corner, But First Let Me….

Have you ever seen anything like this??? Smart Smoker Has anyone tried it?

Can we get any further from nature? What ever happened to a good old smoke. And the good old smoker’s cough? Where you knew you had smoked a packet and paid the price. What is the price of Smart Smoker? – Forget health, how about the price on enjoyment.  Good Tobacco is a pleasure all on it’s own.

All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace A Chance

It’s Tuesday night and I just watched The U.S. vs. John Lennon and it has shaken me up.

I grew up in Montreal during those times. To protect me my parents kept any real knowledge of the war in Vietnam and the conflict in the U.S. from my very innocent self.

My ignorance had me waving my fingers in the peace symbol with beaded headband and short “hot pants”, saying peace and groovy. It was fun and serious, and tame.

Then I saw tanks driving down a hill in Cote de Neige, Montreal, and felt the shock of fear ice my consciousness.

There was no one to turn to, no one who would explain why the things I was seeing were causing very strange feelings. And over the years, any thought of those times has been through a protected and unfeeling memory.

Watching the movie tonight stirred things up. In 1970 I was 14 years old and Martial Law had been declared in my home town.

It has taken 40 years for the fear from shock to melt sufficiently that I can think about my country bringing force to bear on me and my neighbors without shutting down.

Give peace a chance Trying for Peace in all I do.

Thank you John and Yoko.