I think I feel most free in a natural environment, in nature. I feel less free in a city  environment, where there are high income needs just to exist in some sort of comfort.
That said freedom is a state of mind, and I would relinquish some freedoms for a higher cause, that would be my choice, and the ability to choose is a very important  freedom.

I would be a failure as a judge as I always seem to see the good in each person, knowing I am human and make mistakes, I feel empathy with others who get it wrong.
It's in my nature to give the benefit of doubt, i try to see both sides, forgive, and start afresh.

I see  independence as a myth, we are interdependent and not just with each other, but with all other life, including this living planet. I like to think I stand on my own two feet, yet i offer and recieve support,and share with others and  cherish and respect these connections, together, we are One. Happy July the 4th, celebrating our Oneness

Wonderful, it feels like continuous change, the tides of  love, like receiving and giving, with our first breath we receive, letting go we give back, if we breathe consciously and slowly, there is that moment of change between breaths, time to reflect, so life is continuous change, we can only hold our breath for so long before we have to move on. I guess when we slow down a little we have more time to feel the love within this miracle, and on our final breath we let go to return to that love. How wonderful that when we let go the plants take that in and give back the oxygen we need, there is balance there we should be mindful of  this because we can't keep cutting back this two way exchange, it's a living system we both benefit from.   Breath and life is a precious gift, having been asthmatic to the point of each breath being a painful battle and near death as a child, I learned to appreciate this beautiful gift of life

We need to be mindful and conserve the plant life in our environment -

http://www.rainforestportal.org/shared/alerts/send.aspx?id=png_redd_logging

Our time perspective affects our decision making, this video helps us to look at our best options, I thought it was interesting enough to share. Do share if you feel it is helpful..

http://digg.com/general_sciences/TED_Philip_Zimbardo_Prescribes_a_Healthy_Take_on_Time

LOVE. ( in it's broadest sense, inclusive, universal, unconditional )

I think complacency is highly dangerous, to guard against this I try hard to think laterally and creatively, to look at the wide picture, to be aware of change and see realistically in the moment, If the possibility of change is not considered, then nothing will be done to make that change happen, no matter how necessary.
For example I can be complacent and snap up cheap goods sourced at the expense of producers and perhaps child labour - or I can be aware and buy fair trade, and produce a lot of my own food to save polluting travel / airmiles. I strive to think of new ways to live sustainably, because I am aware of the impact on our planet earth, and those in poverty., and if ignored, on us all. We can choose to remain ignorant, smug and complacent, or we can choose to be aware , creative and responsible.

Physical pain can be so bad it takes over the whole body 110%, thank God I only experienced that once, after 36 hours in labour whith my son jammed tight in my pelvis and unable to pass through, oh the relief when they performed a ceasarian section, he almost died, and still bears the marks of that trauma.
When they invented some instruments of torture they knew some parts of the body are rich in nerve endings, ever had a blood blister under a nail where the blood can't escape and the pressure builds? It's a bit like a thumbscrew!!!!  
In severe trauma sometimes we can escape it and become an observer in an OBE or an NDE
Attitude can affect pain sometimes we can shrug it off or sleep it off, we can use distraction to take our mind off the pain, mind over matter, or we can dwell in the pain.
A lot of my working life was spent in caring for the terminally ill, and pain relief, ensuring people were kept comfortable despite dire illness and that included helping them through emotional and spiritual pain too, equally important. It mean't listening actively to what the patient was feeling physically, emotionally and spiritually and responding promptly,  anticipating where possible, putting them in touch with religious mentors whatever their religion.
Pain can and should be relieved where possible. as chronic pain can wear one down, when someone is unable to help themselves understanding and compassion is required.

Spirits rising
Ascending a spiral
Concentrated on higher purpose
Revering all life
Enduring and unfaltering
Dedicated to Divine


Sigh with wind's suspire
You and I connect
No exclusivity
Circle of One
Harmoniousness
Resting in wisdom
One moment of eternity
No dividing walls
In one ship called Unison
Creatures in accord
In tune with each other
Timed togetherness
You and U -niverse

Happiness is infectious, just Love, smile and BE happy  - it lies within - and I just Loooove and delight in seeing others happy too, though I am responsible for my own happiness, no one else.!!!!!

Errr...Wow, thank you for the question....it's something I just don't think about these days,
when i was younger it concerned me and fluctuated up and down. Now I just get on with what is in life moment by moment  I think it's no different to how I feel about others worth, being a unique part of this wonderful universe, I am no more or less worthy than the rest and we are a diverse lot thank God, vive la difference. In his own way the bee buzzing round the garden is the same as me, both a unique contribution to the whole of life and I try to respect this.

Inspiration comes from all sorts of unlikely places. I just give myself space,  use what presents itself, and stay open to possibilities, my curiosity and imagination.helps Though I'm stuck at home in a caring situation, the internet opens a world of possibilities and I have yet to experience wtiters block.

As long as I can concentrate, and keep my own thoughts at bay, nothing stops me listening, so I do my best to cultivate awareness. What I find much more difficult is whenI am aware but unable to make things easier, my Mother is diabetic and permanently hungry, it is a bit like Prada Willi syndrome; it's not good for her to eat non stop as her diabetes would spiral out of control. So I stick to doctors advice and three small meals a day for her which keeps her diabetes fairly well controlled, but being 92 she is forgetful and permanently asking for more food, she has been known to tuck into a tin of dog food when my back was turned, empty the fruit bowl in one fell swoop, and ate my cousins bean seeds when she stayed with them for a weekend, she has no willpower so we constantly have to be alert and she can be really crafty, lol. So many times during the day I have to acknowledge her hunger and gently explain yet again why she can't have more - it makes me feel like an ogre, but without some control she would develop the deterioration that comes with uncontrolled diabetes, she is already very deaf so deteriorating sight would be a disaster.  The doctors know what is best for her diet, but seem unable to control a ravenously hungry mind and I am left to deal with that., it can get very wearing LOL - i suppose I should be glad she enjoys her food, a lot of elderly folk go off eating, There,  writing this out has helped me count my blessings.!!!

I treasure my eyesight, and I hope i never have to find out, I can't know for certain, however I notice how other senses become more acute when sight is missing, I have always had a good hearing and a good sixth sense, I would hope these would come to my rescue and help to compensate. I know a baby who was blind from birth, and he's such a happy little fellow, it often seems to affect others reactions more than him, it is just how he is and he is a beautiful child, whole, and fully alive.  I wonder, seing he can accept it so happily why others find it so hard to cope with.and react badly? I hope i would be as alive and accepting as he is.

Errrr.............pardon?........Don't ask me, or shout at me!!!!    Sign me!!!!!

In all honesty and truth, we are innocent,  naked, but that is how we are born, I am reminded of Danny Kaye and the Kings new clothes....and left wondering where our innocence goes?.


http://monologues.co.uk/Comic_Songs/Kings_New_Clothes.htm

A blind person being helped accross a busy road by me, and before that someone putting a bowl of water out for dogs at a boot fair on Saturday, while the tannoy was asking another thoughtless owner to rescue a dog in distress left in a car.