Transitions - The Beginning
These blogs began even before I had cancer, as a series of enewsletters to reach out to others who could use the lessons I've learned as I've explored ideas - ways to make connections with others who might like what I like, want to move forward as I want to move forward.
Over the course of several years I’d met many such people. At conferences, seminars, workshops. Some presented by me, some by others. And in social or chance encounters.
I’d noticed a theme running through the conversations we’d had. A desire to live a fulfilled life. Generated by new ideas. Ideas capable of reflection, capable of something new, something nourishing to the mind, heart and spirit of each.
My mind is an ‘ideas generator’. It was telling me ‘Beryl, you have something to say. People often tell you that something which you’ve said to them, or written to them, has helped in their expressed dilemma - or simply a question that’s been rushing through their mind on which they needed some fresh thinking.’
Each of us comes to the best in us through a different path. Everything I do, say, write begins with my own experience of trauma - and finding out how to come through that alive and hopefully sane. So I had to give it a try - and see what would happen.
Of course at that stage they only went to a limited number of people; those who had asked for them. Now you have a chance to access them - and much new material as well.
I originally called them 'Transitions' because I realised that everything I'd been doing since the early 80s was actually designed to help others who had gone through transitions from some very difficult life experiences to a better life. If you want an expanded idea of what those things are I'd invite you to visit my website at http://www.anotherlife.com.au
Beyond those early enewsletters came the Big Jump Forward, to the day I needed some fresh thinking of my own because I was furious at the doctors who had failed to diagnose my cancer until it was almost too late to save my life. My colon was totally blocked by a cancer - and then they found it had been left so long it had gone beyond its early stages and was into my lymph nodes.
So after the surgery by a very gifted surgeon, bless him, and into chemotherapy, I wasn't moving forward. My rage at those previous doctors was holding me back. But I knew that writing down my feelings was the way to put them outside myself and free me up for the future I longed for. That was the beginning of my writing 'Cancer - a Journey' and 'After Cancer - the Journey Continues'.
For this blog I'll be posting one episode of 'Transitions', alongside current writing, at 'Courage and Cancer' each week to give you time to think, to absorb the meaning of what you’ve read - accept it - or reject it. Your choice.
And as a bonus you'll read what I've also learned beyond those early days of coping with cancer and dramas. Because cancer is a great teacher - if you let it be.
Transitions - early October Year 1
I’ve been thinking about you. Yes, you, my individual special friend. The person who may be searching for something a little different. Not just diverting, but something to nourish the person you are deep inside.
I want to support such special people. People who, like myself, share a world view that includes giving to others, helping them achieve their life’s desire; whether that’s in their personal or business life. And helping yourself become the you you have always wanted to be. The happy person, filled with love, of yourself, of others, of our world which needs us so much to be our highest selves.
So I’ve chosen to start offering inspiration, uplifting thoughts and ideas. Short items. Perhaps a copy of one of my ‘life poems’. Sometimes something for you to laugh at, access ideas that will set you thinking.
And today I offer you a poem I have sent around the world, for free, because these years of conflict make many afraid - and I know that, if we could just start with peace in our personal relationships, we would have peace in the world too. Every good thing expands. So here is:
‘Think of a World at Peace’
Think of a world where love is given and received in equal measure
where every parent values the selfhood of their children
and demonstrates every day their love for that child
where no hand is ever raised against another in anger
but only in kindness and blessing and to share the good and necessary things of life
Think of a world where money is valued only for the good it can do
where physical strength is prized only for its ability to build a better world
and protect the weak
where each person’s physical body and emotional feelings are truly respected as their own
and never transgressed without that person’s conscious permission
where words are used to describe the thing they really belong to
rather than to threaten or pull someone else down
Think of a world where we smile at one another
where we can look each person straight in the eye without anyone flinching
a world where joy is given out
and received as a natural sweet thing
Think of a world where no one steals from the boss
and no one wants to
because each worker is valued for their intrinsic worth
and given work to do that they can do well
Think of a world where we give and receive happily, but mostly exchange in fair measure
where every person of wisdom who has skills to help smooth out problems between people
is given the means to spend their life doing just that
for we are often weak and don’t know how to smooth out our own
Think of a world where colour, size, shape, hairiness or lack of hair, big feet or small,
brown eyes or blue, just the look of a person, all these things
don’t matter at all
where only the smile on your lips and in your eyes, the kindness and love you express
matters to everyone else
Think of a world where we have learned anew
what it is to love one another
and ourselves
This will be a world at peace. © Beryl Shaw 25/12/1999
(This poem may be distributed freely provided you add this copyright notice and my contact details for feedback: http://www.anotherlife.com.au
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