The Diamond Moment

On Big Leap Forward!

2010-12-08T08:59:00.000-08:00

Today the urge to continue on with a Mission already begun in Mission BC is great. There is a group meeting tonight at the Cafetorium in Heritage Park school to discuss the interest and sustainability of Forum Theatre in that town.

I got whisked away from that home base in a tornado like force to the Land of very green OZ, the Emerald City of Eugene Oregon. I have letting my newly sprouted tender roots grow in this soil since September.

We had returned for a David Diamond event called Us and Them. It was an investigative event researching for another show in 2012 that I hope to be apart of. (training is in February) Press Article Participatory theatre breaks down the wall between stage and audience. It allows for a new community dialogue to emerge and a transparency in a group that can only be experienced. We have become so divorced from the reality of how art and theatre can be embedded in our lives, not a commodity to be consumed. This type of performance can truly inspire more awareness and peaceful, restorative relationships.

Have you heard the phrase Morphic Field? It is used when talking about Family Constellations. This is a modalitiy that I have been trained to facilitate as well. The evening of theatre actually explores the subconscious aspects of the group. It can be applied to an organization, a family or a city.

Morphic field

"Morphic field" is a term introduced by Sheldrake. He proposes that there is a field within and around a morphic unit which organizes its characteristic structure and pattern of activity.^[12] According to this concept, the morphic field underlies the formation and behaviour of holons and morphic units, and can be set up by the repetition of similar acts or thoughts. The hypothesis is that a particular form belonging to a certain group which has already established its (collective) morphic field, will tune into that morphic field. The particular form will read the collective information through the process of morphic resonance, using it to guide its own development. This development of the particular form will then provide, again through morphic resonance, a feedback to the morphic field of that group, thus strengthening it with its own experience resulting in new information being added (i.e. stored in the database). Sheldrake regards the morphic fields as a universal database for both organic (living) and abstract (mental) forms. However, most in the scientific community do not accept the idea and regard it as a fringe science or pseudoscience.

Thanks to our sponsor company that can be found at www.cdgoodart.com. It's blog is www.rhiah.tumblr.com.

Kathryn Reese from www.ohmhome.com filmed this silly diamond moment. She was asking me about God. And for me, that is where all this begins and ends, I was trying to describe how theatre can bring us closer to that Source of Love, Light and Truth.

Participatory Theatre from cdgood on Vimeo.

The Diamond Moment: Preview "On Big Leap Forward!"

2010-12-08T08:54:00.000-08:00

We are Actors on a Stage.

Facets of Health

2010-06-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

This month of June has flown by already. The natural movement focuses on Health, the bridge between Body and Emotions of this next project. Health means financial, mental and physical of course. Setting up a Healing Arts Cooperative is on the agenda for the month before I establish an office/home in Eugene Oregon.

I have been focused on a move to Oregon, but this does not mean abandoning This Diamond Community, it just means opening up to a growing circle of supporters who will carry on the work started here.

This month started with a David Diamond Workshop. http://vimeo.com/11881086 We did an activity called Cops in the Head and other sculpted images. In one of the scenes I got to experience what was happening for me in my social art work efforts in Mission. I was trying to hold together a tight circle of people rather than step back and let the larger community in. So it helped me let go, open up and not hold so much in fear. Create an open space my my leaving and rallying for business and ideas in Oregon.

Letting go, meant a move to Oregon, along with a call from my spiritual group to relocate there, a possible Masters in Community Arts at the University of Oregon and an environment that more suits us as a family. My sister lives there too and we can recouperate for a while and begin to sell my Eco-fashion wearable art line, www.thebeadrollson.com that will be made with the cooperation of several non profit groups both here and Eugene ( I have dual citizenship ) Eugene is an artistic, green city and has poured millions of dollars into their arts education recently.

By November 1st, I suspect there will be a thriving cooperative set up to address the lack of a cultural director in Mission. Pioneering Connections is what I am calling it for now. It would be good to have an office at the Mission Arts Center.

Pioneering Connections cooperative set up to:
~ market local green and creative works
~ build collborative products blending several artist work in one
~ provide business training
~ create a hub for online promotions for locally made green and artistic goods and services
~ become the go to place for compassionate and creative workshops
~ employ youth as an eAbassador team to promote online and create forum theatre community buiding events to allow all voices to "Speak and be Heard" and gather community wisdom and resources.

This cooperative would be set up with the use of Smart Settle. www.smartsettle.com a revolutionary online tool, based on the work of Dr. Ernest Theissen.

It is affliated with local positive news magazine called Fraser Valley Connector.

There is a public meeting planned on June 24th at Blackberry Cafe, 7 pm.

We are hoping to raise money to get David Diamond here in October as this second eight month cycle is complete November 1st bringing in a new level of community cooperation.

Spirit Square

2010-05-15T16:26:00.001-07:00

Opening day for Spirit Square, felt like an opening for "new developments" as the Mayor said, but maybe not in the physical realm.

That is a funny word : Development:

development |diˈveləpmənt|noun1 the process of developing or being developed : she traces the development of the novel | the development of less invasive treatment.• a specified state of growth or advancement : the wings attain their full development several hours after birth.• a new and refined product or idea : the latest developments in information technology.• an event constituting a new stage in a changing situation : I don't think there have been any new developments since yesterday.• the process of converting land to a new purpose by constructing buildings or making use of its resources : land suitable for development.• an area of land with new buildings on it : a major housing development in Chicago.• Chess the process of bringing one's pieces into play in the opening phase of a game.2 the process of starting to experience or suffer from an ailment or feeling : the development of brittle bones.3 the process of treating photographic film with chemicals to make a visible image.
I feel underdeveloped, in development… like a blank piece of photographic paper slowly etching out an image of something once seen.

Come to Mission Song

2010-05-01T01:11:00.001-07:00

Come to Mission by Rick Chadwick. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cdgood/2010/02/01/the-mission-song

I’m here today to tell you ‘bout a place that captures all who stay a while

A place next to the water of a peaceful happy river going by

That seems to stop and look at you, a look that almost always makes you smile

As the river song sings to your heart and joins the wind’s secret calling sigh.

Chorus.

I first came as a guest and was welcomed by the people who lived here.

The people, some are new, some are children from so very long ago.

Ancient people came here first, joined by others who arrived year by year.

They all felt what I feel now, a home and friendly people, a city where the heart lights up to

glow.

Chorus.

Have you ever felt your tears wash away with all your fears by the rain?

And see them slowly mixing in the gentle river waters flowing through?

So you could say goodbye to them and feel your lips begin to smile again?

Well it happened here to me in this place that I would like to share with you.

Last time Chorus

Come to Mission, where the mountains touch the river and the sky

Come to Mission where the sacred eagle spreads its wings to fly.

Come to Mission, where the ancient peoples lived and I know why.

There’s a feeling that exists here, it’s here for all including you and I.

Add to last time Chorus:

There’s a feeling that exists here, it’s here for all including you and I.

Elvis, Vision and Youth

2010-05-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Wooden tile work by Wes Geisbrecht. www.wesgeisbrecht.com

This coming week is youth week in BC. http://www.bcyouthweek.com/ Perfect time to stumble upon a book that promoted a hiding Mission Diamond. Morris Bates. . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7qY8VrzRgg "The Mission resident was hailed by Nevada critics as the best Elvis tribute act on the Vegas circuit since Presley’s death in 1977. Working with the Vancouver Police and Native Liason Society as a specialized victim assistance worker, Bates developed an aversion program called Reality Check for Indigenous People (R.I.P), sometimes known as Scared Straight.
Looking back on what he has accomplished in his lifetime, it’s the chances he’s taken that stand out.
He hopes young people recognize that in an era without computers he was still able to live by his wits and accomplish something – and hopefully, that inspires them to do the same.
Bates’ book, Take a Chance on Life, which chronicles his experiences, was released on Thursday.
Bates will hold a book signing on Saturday, April 17 at the Power House at Stave Falls, 31338 Dewdney Trunk Road, in Mission between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The book, which is being released internationally, will be available at Chapters, Coles, Indigo and at Murdoch’s Bookshoppe in Mission.For more information contact Bates at morrisbates@shaw.ca." www.bclocalnews.com
I ran into his promotions agent, Eileen, at the Blooming Marvelous show at the Arts Council that I was exhibiting the Kraggleys (spirit dolls) www.cdgoodart.com. At first I was not interested in an Elvis impersonator book, but then when I found out that he has helped 8000 kids across BC work through drug and street issues, I wanted to hear more. I bought a copy of the book and will read it this weekend. It seemed like he may be a great person to affiliate with youth inspiration here in Mission.

Another piece this week was a Circle Meeting at the MRR new house/office. We call it the RIM Spinning circle. Restorative Intergeneration Mentoring--- We came up with some plans to gather together groups in town that are working with youth and make a google map highlighting activities. My kids cringe at the word "youth". It seems to segregate people into a label that they are not comfortable with. Many youth I know are wiser than the adults I know. In indigenous cultures there was no such thing as a teenager. I like thinking of each person as a soul, a living being and not worrying about the age. Each person is valuable and precious. Together we make a grand design of joy and sorrow.

Care Club started this week too. http://www.cdgoodart.com/oktobus/TheCareClub.html My sons seemed to enjoy this, a opportunity to do something for others. We are painting flat rocks to stack and count with to give to the new Kindergarten Classes.

Had an appointment with Coffee News. We forget this valuable free resource to post non profit events in town. Ads are cheap too. I made a batch of Beads from it that will soon be a necklace for his website. http://www.coffeenewsnet.com/what.html It is a world wide franchise! I had no idea. A positive news magazine trying to make people smile for a while.

Speaking of Positive News, here is Tracey Elias and I talking about her new magazine The Valley Connector coming out June 1.

Heritage Park Gets a Truck Load of Manure

2010-04-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

Why is this big news today, in the Earth day buzz? What is so blogable about such an event? It is the nourishment of the residential school orchard. Once overgrown with 14 foot blackberry plants it is slowly coming back to life. Perhaps it is a symbol of these intense times, a symbol of the restoration that is taking place in Mission and in my life personally as well.

Jared and I went down to the Park today. For those of you far away, here is a video about the park that we are speaking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbMdBEV9EDM

Found a five leaf clover this afternoon when thinking about "This Multi-faceted Diamond Community" and the visioning Mission forum that I was told about.

Heather Sterling the Park gardener, (I call her the GARDEN LADY), took Jared and I on a tour of the park through her eyes. So many plants are edible there now. She has planted three mulberry bushes honoring the Japanese pioneers.

Taken the original wild strawberries from the orchard and planted them near the rose garden. You will have to listen to the conversation we had about it.

Of course the best was off air when i was more relaxed. But you get a sense of the greatness of this individual, her passion and complete dedication to making this world a balanced place. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cdgood/2010/04/23/education-and-sustainability-1 I would love to illustrate a walking guide to the park through her eyes.

Heathers tour was completely fascinating. From the orchard, ( after the load of wormy steamy horse crap fell on the ground that a man name "ART" dumped).There were 13 loads that day.

We were driven in the back of her truck to the grotto.( a silo like structure with a cross on top= Mission's symbol) She took us into the grotto turning off the alarm. The pews and floors were covered in bugs. Flies mostly, but bees and hornets and ladybugs from white to red. They were thick candles and marble table. Crunch crunch under our feet. She adds them to the rose garden for nutrition as well. This composting idea took four years for it to be approved of and we witnessed it! How fortunate to be able to follow a whim and have it take us to such a destination.

Heather now is a leader in her feild and mentor for youth( worked with canada world youth) and her work is becoming known and respected world wide for the non-pesticide rose garden and heritage seeds.

http://www.heritagepark-mission.ca/stmary.html Here is a link to learn more about the painful history of this park and understand the significance of restoring the original orchard. Bringing up the pain to be healed is part of the work of this new eight month Diamond cycle ending Nov 1.

Drive with Smiley!

2010-04-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Fridays are Random Acts of Kindness Day. www.mission.ca/joinme A member of Mission Circle of Diamonds posted an idea worthy of promoting.

Every Friday put your Happy Face up in your window in participation with www.mission.ca/joinme

Print off the PDF at www.diamondcommunity.ca and give to your friends. Have some fun!

Now you take the smile within. This will cause you to smile on the outside. By smiling on the outside you will become more relaxed and at ease. This will cause you to drive more curtious-ly. Feel free to smile at other drivers. You will notice how good this makes you feel. Enjoy your journey I know you will.

Thank you for making a difference and for supporting Mission in leading the way toward creating positive change in the world.

Power to Decide

2010-04-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

This post was written by Susan Naja, an individual in Mission Circle of Diamonds.

It was made to contribute to the conversation around the 8 powers of Kindness and how she perceived this power manifest in her life and the Mission community. Powerful message here.

Power to Decide

The decision making process is directly connected to our level of personal empowerment. The more we know ourselves and operate from our own best insight the better equipped we are to make decisions that support our well-being and happiness, as well as our families, societies and worlds. Whether a personal, family or business decision is in the making, any important life choice has an impact on our quality of life and the quality of the life of others and the environment. Big decisions are integrated into and influence all aspects of our lives, which is a good thing.

Think for yourself, outside the box.

There are no problems only solutions. With this approach we free our minds to think creatively in order to create more choices or alternatives. Get in touch with messages that limit, whose voices are behind those messages. Do you trust yourself? Decision making is a good confidence check. We are all diamonds in the rough and life is the process of polishing. No one is perfect, life is a journey of growth and learning. When you recognize a limitation within yourself, celebrate that you've identified a hurtle to your dreams, do not make any room for criticism or self defeating inner dialogue. Simply realize that the information or conditioning you have stumbled upon does not serve you and choose or decide to release it. Consciously replace critical limiting information with supportive messages.

Examples of critical inner dialogue

You don't know what is best for you.

A higher authority needs to decide for you.

No one has done that before, why do you think you will be able to succeed?

You are not good enough.

There is not enough....(money, time, energy, support..)

Examples of supportive inner dialogue-

You deserve to pursue your hearts yearning.

Your dreams are what makes your life an exciting adventure in the making.

You are not alone, believe in your dreams and connect with others who share your dreams.

YES I can.

I believe in me and the whole universe supports me.

Knowing what we truly want to create in our lives.

Unless you are young without children or parents that need our support, most of us have others that we are responsible for. Family is a responsibility that is often neglected in Western Society. Our children are raised by daycares, there are many single moms that struggle with the double burden of working and child rearing. In the process of determining what our dreams are we need to stay in touch with the realities and responsibilities that we have created around us. The worlds present capitalist economic system supports only a fraction of the Earth's population while exploiting the majority. 1 billion people earn $1.25 per day according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Although enough food is grown to feed everyone on the planet the in-equal distribution of wealth leaves 1 bilion people threatened with starvation today. Humanist values have been slowly eroding in the heavy advertising push for consumerist values. Be careful of what you wish for. We all want success but please question how you define success? The country of Bhutan for example defines success by the Gross National Happiness of its people as opposed to consumerist product sales. What makes you truly happy?

How do we get in touch with our own true goals?

In the assault of government/corporate marketing research and campaigns that amount to trillions of dollars of spending in order to establish North American consumerist values, (Naomi Klein, No Logo, 2001) it can be a daunting job to sort through the media programming to discover what is truly important to us. Asking ourselves: What do we find the most fulfilling? How can we live a wholistic lifestyle, that balances our personal time, family time and work time? In our age of globalization its crucial to act with an awareness of the effect that our spending capacity has the power to sustain and support through fair trade or exploit people and further damage the environment.

The better we know ourselves, the better we are able to answer the above questions. An effective way to clear the clutter and touch into self is though taking a few minutes each day for self-refletion or meditation. 10-20 min. can make a powerful difference. Sit quietly and comfortably, simply be aware of your breath with the intention of being in touch with your highest self and highest information. Get outside of your thinking mind. Imagine you are holding a gentle effortless attention.

This is your time to empty your mind of all ...to reveal your true self..this is a state of magic where ideas from the universe are seeded! Simply sit in awareness and watch in wonder.

Process of clearing out others limiting information

Once you are clear upon your goals and have set your intentions you are ready to embark upon the journey of manifesting your dream. The birth of an idea can grow at rapid speed like bamboo or slowly and steadily like an oak tree. Remember the scenery on the straight paved roads are the most boring to drive. I always prefer the scenic routes, you never know what interesting people you will meet or amazing sights you will see along the way. "The journey is the destination."

The worlds old traditions of knowledge understood the importance of endings or completions and renewal. As with the seasons the winter prepares the ground for spring planting. Get in touch with and connected to the natural world, this alignment will ground and clarify your intentions as well as support your overall well-being and energy levels. Do your best to not fall prey to the frequency of anxious stress prevalent in our society. Immersing oneself in the natural world for walks, cycling, skiing...will also assist in releasing this highly unnatural and unhealthy social stress.

Integrity Check

Like seeds ideas need nurturing, touch into your goals daily implement your action plans steadfastly. To check in with the integrity of your decisions, a helpful affirmation/prayer/intention is "If it is in the highest good for myself, others, the earth and the universe, then may it be so."

Movement into Authentic

2010-03-26T07:05:00.000-07:00

As I bumble along this funny little town, I am in AWE at how much the simple act of making money propels us into exactly the right choice we need to do to be a better person and use this process as a self refining tool. After the ending circle for SPEAK AND BE HEARD…and the social planning commission presentation, I was hoping for more inclusion, but instead the rifts grew and instead of activity, there was silence. That puzzled me, but was content to watch and grow with what the next natural step is in this drama.

It lead me to an graphix/video contract with John Howard Society. Maybe you have heard about it. Communities Impacting Gangs Comments on the blog and video replies are encouraged.The main event/forum is on March 31 at the Cafetorium. We have some of the youth from "Speak and be Heard” asked to help and be interviewed.

At the Speak and be Heard event, the public came up on stage and a request for more alternative health information came up. In the facet month of HEALTH, last eight month action plan, holistic health practitioners began to gather. We have just posted a new website beginning these efforts. www.missionholistichealth.com. I look forward to seeing the response.

The eight facets idea has come through me in my early morning dawn think tank sessions, training with MRR. THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY has always been about self transformation first. That being said, it would be considered my intellectual artistic property although I have brought it through tuning into the energy of the community and in a collaborative way. These transitionary times are interesting. Any reference to " mine" is silly really. However to remove it from the entire vision and someone else’s would make for an interesting situation.

I am working for www.smartsettle.com in the promotions/advocacy department. We presented to the AGM Silverdale Heritage Society. They went from a meeting of discouragement and silent distress to gathering together and making effort to work together. Was so nice to see neighbors do this. They hold a seed of a dream as well that feels thwarted by Money. We are planning a public demonstration of this with the topic of conversation being the UFV and its integration within our community and a hypothetical situation set up as a conflict between the town and the university to show how online conflict can become Harmony and beyond WIN WIN.

Today I felt called to the forest at heritage park. There I met an individual with his grand daughters if we had arranged it. He is a retired prison worker and in corrections and leadership with First Nations corrections. He told me how corrections and the residential school entwine and if we are going for a public event about Residential School healing, he is willing to meet with JHSFV and Community Elders to see how best to go about this and several of us feel that the end result in these next eight months of investigations (November 1st) will be in public events around this issue.

Talked to Youth Unlimited staff about having a youth contest at the Illuminaries Festival so we can have stations around the park set up. Was so nice to see someone put an eight facet wheel on the hill last year. Bumbling into the staff at the festival revealed that they were looking for more exciting growth in the festival.

The Arts Council is considering MRR resolution to help solve the internal stuff going on there after a board meeting I was at. HURRAH! I am teaching art to the Ferndale inmates set up to help with gardening to payback my debt to Arts Council for the office rental there. If we can collectively get the arts united with social and economic concerns, there will be no stopping Mission as a cultural destination. Also… The StreetHOPE group is planning an Arts Show ! Shelaugh is doing great work there. She feed 60 people there every morning on her pensioners income!!

Other info discovered... that the waterfront issue was just a newspaper reporting on something they have no idea about and fell for an old trick.

The property has not even had an application on it. Talk about getting the town in a stew… so they can manipulate the situation. EDUCATE ourselves about what is really going on...

Well, thats the First facet report as this first month ends! Lots--- more happening too, really focusing on the EDUCATION / Power to Introspect this month. Mostly on my son’s self design. www.selfdesign.org and my own, going for a Masters? Online school out of California. http://www.ciis.edu/

Other groups and individuals are saying that they are tuning into the Introspection power and reaching out to educate others about what they do, adding courses etc… how does it relate to you?

Forward MARCH!

2010-03-17T04:45:00.000-07:00

We march on, ever forward into the blank canvas of our lives. It seems like a blank canvas this month anyway. The end of the eight month investigation into the Mission community brought its rewards. More than changing or healing anything in this city, my efforts changed and healed me.

Springing ahead, I perceive another eight month enquiry ahead. This time though it is a little different. This time it is deeply personal and even more public than ever before. The possible way this could take form is so varied. Following is a sketchy outline that several of us have looked forward into a dream of community evolution. I have shared it with several organizations and presented to the social planning commission. I wonder how it fits into your life currently? What we focus on expands.

March

Learning and Education

- Power of Introspection

April

Environment and Sustainability

-Power of Knowing what to keep and what to let go

May

Local business highlights

- Power to Tolerate

June

Health

Power to merge and accommodate... adjust

July

Family

Power to discern and discriminate

August

Sports and Recreation

Power to decide and act.

September

Heritage

Power to face

October

Arts/trades

Power to co-operate

What will your life bring by November 1st? What will mine? Perhaps we are in for some big changes that will encourage us all to drop our differences and connect to common ground and see the diamonds in the rough, the sparkle will come out and we will all feel a little closer to Home. People say, "If only Mission could work together better they would be such an amazing town". There would be more funding, more good will, less depression, more understanding. The youth in Speak and be Heard we saying the cliques at school were unbearable. People judged each other so harshly. One thing that Speak and Be Heard brought up was the "Pain" in myself, and in the community. It is healthy, for once seen, then it can be addressed and set free. If it is always under cover it festers and becomes increasingly uncomfortable until it is finally recognized. The youth are the ones who feel it, see it and need avenues to express their joy and sorrows in a safe place.

Speak and be Heard

2010-02-20T21:41:00.001-08:00

Who do you want to be? Where do you want to start?

The workshop with Andrew Burton and 9 of Mission's bravest youth sent us on a new trajectory of connected community. It was filled with impact in a experiential way. To really feel safe in a group of strangers, to be yourself and just play a role from your heart.

Go to Speak and be Heard Facebook page to see more and soon the pictures will be up at wwwgaiapix.com.

The night was like a pebble in a pool of still water. The ripples will grow and we will now be able to do more of this kind of work with the team of people established by this event. " We are all Actors" says Andrew. They youth learned about energy, trust and shifting dark to light.

The evening did not have as many solutions arise as I had hoped. However, sometimes the real solutions begins when pain is acknowledged, and that was how the evening ended. Knowing that we all have pain and we all escape from it in so many ways... people were riveted. I will be curious to here the comments as they surface.

Hand in Hand

2010-02-14T06:39:00.000-08:00

Lyrics by the MACL ( Mission Association for Community Living) Choir to be performed February 18th, 7 pm at the Clarke Theatre.

Hand in Hand

Verse:

Everybody has an equal voice
a chance to speak
to make a choice
speak up and let it be heard
let your thoughts ring out at last
take a stand no uncertainty here
trusting others will be stirred

Chorus:

rights and responsibilities, rights and responsibilities
We need em both to go hand in hand

Verse:

We all dream our own dreams
reaching for the place we see clear in our mind
dreams are possibilities
creating the kind of life we seek
you know what to do
believe and leave your
fears behind

Chorus:

rights and responsibilities, rights and responsibilities
We need em both to go hand in hand

Verse:

Believe everybody does belong
children of the earth
one with wind
like the sun
warm and bright
shed their light on everyone
we all need help along the way
put our differences away

Chorus:

rights and responsibilities, rights and responsibilities
We need em both to go hand in hand

Final Chorus:

Today hand in hand towards a better day
a better day
a better day
yes, a better day

Wonderment

2009-12-30T19:06:00.000-08:00

In a swirling mass of "to do's" she sat down. The endings were also "beginnings" she reminded herself. The beginnings we also endings. Her eyes fell on the purple pen in front of her

" Psychosissucks.ca" it said. It was laying on top of a depleted gift visa card, a fingernail polishing board and was sliding slyly up to the white CANADA pen. Her mind was used to seeing everything as a symbol partially alive and pulsing with meaning. This particular snapshot entertained her for a brief moment.

There was so much in her life that needed to end. So much was beginning. The year ahead looked very busy indeed but she could see the hope ahead despite the apparent situation. Her horoscope said "Risking does not mean giving in to every silly venture. It is about hearing a calling for truth - things you have denied, postponed, avoided, feared, but things you know were true. This is a time to be more truthful and follow a calling."

Calling, what was her calling? What was calling her most deeply, resolutely and absolutely. What did she know through experience and deepest regard for what matters most. It wasn't anything she could see, touch, hear or taste. That she knew for sure.

What was calling her, seemed to be calling every other person around her. In the still silent moments of early dawn, she could fill up and send a powerful current of clarity into the day ahead. Searing away the rigid bars of her mind that held her into a holding pattern of sorrow and dis-ease.

Hope

2009-12-15T21:47:00.000-08:00

Today was another Diamond Moment. I have ceased to be amazed at how this whole project in falling into place it is starting to create itself. Ever since I let go of this project and surrendered it to the GREAT MYSTERY, things have settled into place in ways I never could describe. It is really Art. Have you ever tried to make a" good " painting and it looks over worked and over done. (Like a older woman with too much makeup.)

It all started when I went to the New Heights Church on Sunday. They meet at the Clarke theatre. I have been dropping in there now and again, ever since I felt intuitively that I must go to the park with This Diamond Community brochure about the individual and community. The speaker was saying, "I don't know why I felt this during prayer right now, but I want to talk about the individual and community"... !!! They must have a part somehow, especially since they are an outreach church. On Sunday, Greg was speaking about waiting... and that waiting sometimes was like being pregnant and we are enlarged by the experience. He played the video called "the marshmallow test" and smiled in relief, knowing I was in the right place for it has felt like such a long slog at this art for social change project sometimes.

Afterwards, I picked up a brochure that said StreetHope " ~working with the marginalized to get them of the street and keep them that way through ongoing relationships with people and communities and God. Since Voices of One* forum theatre is all about marginalized people I thought that I should call them. So I did today. Shelagh Neilson answered and shortly she was at my studio that is the top floor of the Arts Center.

Shelagh started to talk about what she does. She is a pensioner and she feeds 60 people 5 days a week out of her own pocket. It is a need and she fills it. This woman is such a Diamond. Bright, shiny and resilient. She is not even a morning person, but faithfully she takes her fibromyalgia body to the X station and feeds a group of Missions transient and poor. 18 cans of coffee a month! It has become a community of sorts, a family. Now remember she is doing this mostly out of her own pocket since she took over in August. Her teammate Ann helps and Cobbs bread donates.

The way the sparks fly from her eyes I can tell she is connected to an inner power that keeps her going. Like the ever- ready bunny... just keeps going and going...She defines "God" as the Creator of Love and Love Itself. It is through many religions she feels that people can connect in their own way to that Source, her battery charger. You know, something is working for her, for not a day goes by that one mouth is left unfed. Her motto on the brochure is "And know that all things work together for good to them who are called according to His purpose. "- I think she is the living proof of that.

She has the only free Community Christmas dinner open in Mission on Christmas day. There may be 125-300 people. She says " Somehow God knows just how many people are showing up, I haven't figured that out yet, but it always happens."

"God just wants all his children to love, and our goal is to take hope to the streets. I may not be able to do something today but down the road they will know they do have choices. Its about planting seeds." she smiled knowingly and I can see the compassion she has and the fulfillment she gets out of the work. Her dream is to put on nightly workshops, but for now the morning breakfast is her place.

When talking about Voices of One*the homeless and Youth at Risk. She pips up. Youth at risk are some of the most talented. They are the ones who can't be put into ridgid slots that the school system wants them to be. Some of the homeless and addicts are some of the greatest artists. Here we stood at the top floor of a struggling financially Art Center and all this talent and potential to be tapped! This made a lot of sense. So glad to find a like mind. She could think of a few people off hand that may be able to work on the social theatre art project and placed carefully in different varying degrees of involvement, since she knows them so well, it will be a great asset to Voices of ONE*. She sees the virtue in each one, no matter how they are showing up and NEVER ever will ban anyone from StreetHopes doors.

You can leave your food donations for StreetHope at the "Compass Rose". This is the new restaurant that took over from Stellas. It has a eight point star as its logo, which I am working on for them. ( hmmm talk about connectedness) After a energy filled meeting with Delaney Rose and new owner/manager Davena Dyck, ( all of rebels from a mennonite background) they have a box of stuffed animals so are handing them out Friday for Random Acts of Kindness Day (www.mission.ca/joinme) and a 10% off coupons. Delaney Rose will be playing there Christmas Eve 5-10pm.

The theme of the Compass and the Rose is bringing the world to Mission. The Tourism team should like that. Follow www.twitter.com/investmission. I told her about the www.Scenic7BC.com. and how they are planning tourists to come through here in this marketing idea.

I will hopefully be meeting with Kusum of the Multi-Cultural Society this week and suggesting that the people here in Mission with foreign roots could bring down their art and artifacts to hang on the walls in circulating exhibitions. This could also be something the Arts Council teams up with to highlight multi-cultural artists and so artists talks there at the center/gallery/tearoom.

We are holding a Voices of ONE* fundraiser FEB 4th at the Compass Rose. Looking forward to a great community pre-show celebration and publicity time. Mark your calendar!

Strong Coffee

2009-12-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

A few evenings ago I had the opportunity to attend a free public event at "the Living Room of the community"— The Library! The chairs were gathered around the big screen TV and people from all walks of life merged, all we needed was popcorn!

The documentary was called Strong Coffee

http://www.strongcoffeefilm.com/

This was an evening organized by the Multicultural Department of Mission Community Services in partnership with the Library. "Making the Arts Connection" is a series that helps to bring in more awareness of multicultural and anti racism ideals through the Arts, thru"Books and Films that make a difference" and People's Choice. This evening was another shining example of how co-operation can happen and is happening between organizations here in Mission. Here is the gallery of pictures by www.gaiapix.com

Tonights show was terrific. Although I had watched it before, the movie was better the second time round. This movie is a documentary on how empowering women to earn money helps the community in general. By assisting them to buy land in Peru for a coffee farming business they actually helped end domestic violence and oppression. Dave, owner of Grab-a Java introduced the movie.

This coffee shop is located just below the Leisure Center, providing free trade coffee called Cafe Femenino that is now a global organization helping empower women all over the world. This makes Grab-a Java is an international community hub right in the center of town.

400 billion cups of coffee are consumed a year, as we become more conscious as consumers, perhaps we should know what goes on and where our dollar is going. The farmers work 10-12 hours a day in harvest time for our leisure!

The Beans are of the highest quality and 2% above the fair trade market value is pocketed by the women owners. When the money goes into the hands of the women there, the money goes into the family and not to alcohol, the kids are clothed and fed and there is more harmony in the community in general. The women now are branching out to other crops and ways to work in teamwork beside their husbands, not behind. The men in the film were speaking about how happy they are now that their wives have been able to be self assured and full of self respect. Domestic violence is a topic close to Dave’s heart for had experiences his in childhood first hand. So, when this business opportunity came to him, he jumped at the chance to make a difference.

Pam Willis, Executive Director of Women Resource Society of the Fraser Valley http://www.wrsfv.ca , moderated the discussion following and told of her gratefulness to the Cafe Femenino Coffee sales because a percentage of the profits goes to help women here in this community. This, then, becomes a global model of people helping people. Some of the lessons learned there could help us balance our lives here. So when you buy this supreme quality coffee you can relax and leisurely enjoy it, assured of the benefits you are giving to others to make this world a better place.

We have a lively discussion afterwards and Kusum Soni, the Multicultural Services Coordinator was impressed about how close Peruvian costumes and appearance were to northern India costumes. She said even the faces showed such similarity. There were a couple of us homeschooler mums there ready to do some more research about this and our kids walked away with a great impression of the good things that are being done in the world right here in our own little town.

The next evening is Making the Arts Connection - Richard Van Camp

Thursday, Feb 4th

6:30pm-8:30pm

First Nations author Richard Van Camp is a renowned storyteller and prolific author from the Dogrib (Tlicho) Dene community, Fort Smith, NWT. He will present his work and culture in his usual engaging, thought-provoking, and humourous way.

Photo by Mission Diamond Photographer: Gerhard von Rosen

Community Wonder

2009-12-09T07:56:00.000-08:00

Community wonder

This week was such a monumental life changer week here. This morning, as I pack for a trip south, I am hit with a need to just somehow stop the clock and catch my breath. Someone I follow on Twitter posted this quote, "Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads & empty hearts can do that." It made me smile.

Here in the final week of this facet, the intensity is rising. This morning I am seeing all the unfinished projects and papers scattered around. I wonder what is self care in the midst of the never ending list of things to do? Sitting down and detaching was the best thing to do. Take a few moments now with me....Just stop in silence for a few minutes. Remember that you are an immortal tiny point of consciousness playing a role? Look across the wheel to where you began. Your huge efforts, have been felt and miracles are happening. Our destiny is happiness!

The news came this week that we are being funded for the stage at the Clarke Theatre for Voices of ONE* part 3! February 18th. Things have just clicked into place. I feel like a facet turned on and the water just flowing through.

I met with Andrew Burton a theatre social activist from Prince George. His work and understanding of his work helped me understand my work. See www.streetspirits.com. I appreciated understanding the roots of my interests in theatre for getting a message and experience out to a large group. I was talking to my co-writer Rose Ericson. She shares the goal of people leaving the theatre that night with such a deep sense of purity, love and connection. Voices of the homeless ( we are all homeless), voices of the mentally ill ( we live in an insane world), voices of addicts (we are all addicts) voices of Prisoners (we are all in bondage) made with youth and for the youth in us all. We hope to work with Andrew for this event.

Such a nice email of support from Heather Stewart. http://www.heathermstewart.com/ The growing support for THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is humbling and challenging all at once. The Mayor came to my art table at the Metis Festival and after seeing the painting I made of Luis Reil that said what Louis had been told by God. " You will not be abandoned in the darkest hour of your life for you have a Mission that you must fulfill." The mayor said " You too have a Mission" . I saw a light in his eyes and we smiled knowing we are all doing exactly what is perfect to be doing. Souls playing roles. Actors on an infinite stage of being and becoming! We each ore powerful directors and collaborators in a drama that really does have a happy ending and beginning all at once.

Parts of One Whole.

2009-11-02T18:31:00.000-08:00

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every
man is a piece of the continent, a part of the
main. If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory
were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or
of thine own were: any man's death diminishes
me, because I am involved in mankind, and
therefore never send to know for whom the bells
tolls; it tolls for thee."

John Donne

Health and Heritage

2009-10-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

October was covering the HEALTH theme. We started with a meeting for people who want to start an Alternative Health Directory. Our own health was focused on all levels.

"health: a balanced caring for the body, mind, emotions, and the spirit of the individual, the family, the community, and the nation."

This facet also explored the power to merge and accommodate. What was being merged? What was needing for find placement? Mission Restorative Resolutions became the focus and community health became about facing the conflict that seems to be underlying this town.

Community Connections

2009-09-23T23:31:00.000-07:00

In these times of funding cuts, we can rally in support of one another. Part of the theory that I wanted to prove by introducing THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY model to Mission was that if people to connected values and their highest potential, there would be a natural synergy that occurs in support of such heroic effort. Following what is good and right sometimes takes courage and looking out of the box is not always easy. It always starts with self, so essentially this is just one's person's journey towards healing and power. But when i change will the world change? The only thing constant is that things will change. Will it all get worse? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe no matter what... it IS all good.

Instead of operating in fear and lack, we start to see how we can join hands more effectively than battling for scarce dollars. The DIAMOND design provides a concept for seeing all parts of town as facets on one diamond. This sets a positive tone and plants seeds for co-operation no matter how that may look.

This month, local business was the focus. I developed a business course based on the eight facets with Holly Scabar owner of Bookkeeping Beyond. Its just an outline, but now can be filled in as we apply it to my own business, and develop a course geared towards people with ideas but need to take eight weeks to work on it in a supportive group. I looked at business plans and started one for my company that consults with businesses that want to learn about social media and get a web presence.

Perhaps we all really ARE part of one big thing! Here is an article about finding the Hidden Jewels and Bringing them to light. Obama is talking like this!!? "But it is important to note that community jewels – hidden or otherwise – don’t just emerge out of thin air. The kind of sustained success and institutionalized status these organizations enjoy come as the result of hours and hours of hard work and the devotion and commitment of countless community members. Often, just keeping up with community needs is so all-consuming it’s no wonder these organizations stay hidden – they are so results-oriented there is little time for self-promotion." http://theinnovationcenter.org/blog/community-solutions-and-hidden-jewels-response-white-house-blog

The power to tolerate was brought into focus this month. Toleration is usually a negative word. In this case it means you see the diversity in all things and see the way its all unified. You can tolerate differences as well because you know that each truth is one's own. We have dovetailed several proposals for a few grants pending. Seeking local business sponsors The joy would be to have a place for youth to go to for help... much like R.O.C.A. We have the people to do this now! http://www.rocainc.org/ One thing the youth shouted out loud and clear at a recent social planning forum for youth was that they want communication and creativity workshops.

This is the facet that also represents the body, or bringing things from the mind into form. Boy, did I have to look at forms this month! Did you? I wonder sometimes if our intentions create our experience or our experience creates our intentions??
Art is a way to bring abstract ideas into a more universal message. We had the Arts Alive Tour and many people dropped by my heritage house/studio to see the work. Delaney Rose was singing at 2 pm. People walked into the place and said it felt like walking into one big HUG. Wes Geisbrecht had his paintings selling there as well. www.wesgeisbrecht.com

Another highlight of this month was The Celebration of Community. There was a big sign on the stage SHINE YOUR LIGHT! it said. It was apparent how all the people were banding together under the stress of change as the BC government seems to be gutting the towns of essential community services. We reached a tipping point that night and for the first time tons of people stayed to dance with their kids to the band afterwards. Next year will be light sculptures by the youth, perhaps.

Good feelings and lighthearted connections are always welcome in a family, town or country.
Thats a very practical and sensible thing! and very marketable.
“You have the right to love, to smile, to be happy, to share your love, and to not be afraid to receive it also.” ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

The Goose

2009-09-07T09:44:00.000-07:00

A new facet of Local Business has begun in THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY, this month of September.

This facet is also explories one of the Powers of Kindness called TOLERANCE. It is on the southern direction which often holds the element of Fire. In some First Nations teachings it is the voice of innocence and community. A focus on healing, the Mouse and Wolf totem. Here we begin to bring in what was formed in the Mind, into the realm of 3-D and physical form.

I am filling out proposal forms, consulting with business advisors and encouraging local businesses to rally together and get online: using social media to create more local business and community. There are many talented artists here in this town that have been like diamonds hidden deep under ground ready to surface and shine.

What does this have to do with the Goose?
This morning a writer in Ontario who I have been working with as THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY has been forming told me about her totem, the Goose.

Geese fly in formation. The leaders change with who has the most energy at the moment. They value the individual yet see how they are one unit. They care for the wounded in groups, the weak are never left alone to heal. The goose call to each other when they fly. Do you think they say "Hurry up you fat slob!"? No, they are sending out encouraging words and motivational tips! Thinking about community in this way, the Geese provide a wonderful example in nature how was can all work towards co-operation. Marsha Ward Will conduct creative writing classes for THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY. To encourage the power from within, to learn to be gentle with ourselves and let our own authentic voice come through our writing.

Our hearts and THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is calling to all of us to address issues without degrading ourselves. To understand how to come from a more humane place. The old ways of building community have worked to a point. We can respect the foundation and bring in the next phase, like the start of a new video game level! As the old ways crumble a new form of shared leadership can occur. Restorative Justice and the Peacemaking Circles can play a big role in this. See. www.mission.ca/mrr.

Creating new platforms for supporting one another are vital to the times ahead when we are all going hove to honor the gentle, the music, the abstract inner worlds seeking to be expressed in the silence. As the wars rage around us, the screams of pain and hunger, the fear increases. We are going have to not resort to silencing the voice of joy. We are going to have to trust in the creative power of the soul. Compassion in one eye and creativity in the other. Responsible. capable and ready to withstand even the darkest storms in a spirit of commUnity of diamonds.

Rejecting the dysfunctional worlds idea of normal.
When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro! What are you waiting for?
Just be U. Each person has a special role to play in a sustainable natural world order.

Reality

2009-08-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

21 days since I updated you last!
"They say" it takes 21 days to change a habit.
2 for relationship (to anything)
+
1 for new start
=
3 for joy and expression ( see Book, The Life You Were Born To Live- D. Millman- author of the Peaceful Warrior. )
- I am a 22/4

Numbers are fun. Yes, cdgood, is saying that. The right brain, rebel who is really a closet accountant!
This month has been very full to say the least.

The intense pressure that it takes to create a diamond in the depths has been increasing. I am far from exhausted, in fact as THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is developing it is taking a life of its own. The balance is between leading and following.

Have you ever started painting or working on a creative project that starts to create itself?

That is what is happening, in fact THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is creating "me". I have complete trust in letting this process develop for each day the right person is brought, stops in, sends a note to add another refining influence and brushstrokes into this collaborative venture.

PIONEER has been a word we have used much as we have gathered to discuss directions of this project. Not only is it a great car dealership along the main street in town, but it encompasses both respecting the heritage of all the cultures that pooled into this valley. Pioneering new products, new ways of thinking and being is also included in this.

As we become ore and more authentic, the diamond spark within us shines. Bringing us to the reality of our brilliance. How many times have we shut down the still small voice inside that wants to shine, but it is told to 'GET REAL' and we trudge off to a joy that binds us, keeping relationships to scenes from movies that we all have seen a billion times.

I encourage YOU that it is now safe to be really you. Is it safe to be me? These two voices rage in my head sometimes.
Over and over though, tons of people are standing up and rejecting the force fed formulas for "NICE, GOOD AND PROPER"

When the Living Being inside is allowed to come through, there is pain at times but a community of support is waiting. For this is the natural force, the Natural World Order. There is harmony then, way less need for policing, policies, by-laws and punishment. This applies to a self, a family, a community and a universe.

TIME: A Friend had this published on her facebook profile.

Just a reminder about the SECOND facet Circle for THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY. We have been through 8 weeks of transformation. Sustainability and Green have been all the buzz. Power to Let Go and Pack up has been brought in from a tiny glimmer to full fledged all round shine. Look across the wheel and see the power to discern.

Creating Calm in Chaos

2009-08-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight is a Lunar eclipse. It has a special influence on us that resonates with the objectives of THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY.
It even is about strengthening the Power to Let Go. When I look at the moon, no matter how busy the street lights and distress from the people below or my thoughts. There is always calm in her face--- floating softly in the deep night. it gives me a reference point for being detached and loving all at once.

This is the link about the lunar eclipse.
http://celestialspace.wordpress.com/2009/07/28/lunar-eclipse-and-full-moon-in-aquarius-on-august-5th6t-2009/

In summary some themes that may arise are; group consciousness, teamwork, like minded groups, organizations, humanitarian ideals, higher vision, progress, change as well as long term dreams and goals.

it is aiding in creative communities that are based on intuition and creativity. Sound like THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY!

Role-playing detective work and understanding.

We have Sunday booked for a Family Constellation on behalf of Mission. This requires people to step into roles for different aspects of this town and give a voice to them. We will video tape it and quiz people and groups before hand and test for accuracy after. It is an enlightening process. A group used it to work with the mercedes benz company. They were gifted with 1,000,000 bucks.

With the news tonight that the government is freezing funds from gaming to all non profits, i see a real need for the dependency on the government to end. We can work in collaboration, but there must be a wayt hat we can begin to relay on ourselves once again. We have given so much of our power away. If there would be one dream come true is that the people of this town learn to work together and solve their own problems. really there are no problems, only solutions.

Following is an excellent article that can help shift into calm no matter what.

Empowering Use of Language By Jeanie Marshall

http://www.empowering-personal-development.com/calmness.html

Power to Pack Up

2009-08-05T06:58:00.000-07:00

This month of August seems intense so far.

Was sent a you tube video on the Swine Flu issue.

What came through in response was the writing below. It has to do with the purpose for THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY and why forging relationships with compassion, creativity, clarity and co-operation are so important, This begins with the relationship with myself. I am my own worst enemy at times. Having a solid inner life helps...then the impossible often is possible.

I saw a quote in the Mission Restorative Resolution office yesterday when I was there to do a file. Its said " If there is too much then something is missing" a Hasidic saying.... July was all about defining what THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is, meeting after meeting of planning and communicating.

This month now, we enter the bridge between mind and body. Its the facet for the environment. We are researching sustainable living and living off grid. There is a new face to mission that has designed a heat source and a building system with sacred geometry. What he has designed in his life work as an artist, is breath taking. There is a need to have emergency housing and alternatives to how we live now. he has a solution, that could address the homeless problem here, providing flexible structures and also a way to affect lifestyle and mindset to assist and turn problems into solutions. What if our towns most important assets were embedded right in "the problem? "

People have joined into the personal work in order to try the diamond experiment too.

If I change, does the world change? How can I carve facets in my mindset that move me from a diamond in the rough to a perfect jewel? if you are drawn to this site, you probably already respond to the work laid out already and in retrospect can see how your last month fits into the weekly progressions.

You can sign up at www.diamondcommunity.ca to join in.

When Pigs Flew

The THEY, the Few,
The falsely enlightened,
Illuminate the world with fear.

The painting had a base coat of dark control,
The brushstrokes laughed out their colors of might
seeing how all truly was a masterpiece.

Mastering peace was not an easy task.
but it became easy when they turned from the screen of images
and saw the pinpoint of light from which they came.
The One Source that they all came from
no matter the role.

The shining ones stayed on course
They became channels of blessings
They healed their connection
They broadcast the reality of TRUTH.
They built sacred places and fortresses of protection
Each brought their own authentic voice.

No matter what the world was used to hearing
No matter what they were judged as...

They sent deep currents of Love into the
forces of imposed authority and lies
for they knew....
Love was Truth
Fear was the opposite of Love.

They steadily connected themselves to
their source of their inner light.
Their True Core Essence
that morphed into many roles.
As Their Father
Their Mother
Their Friend
Their Child
Their Beloved
and Teacher.

Steadily sending out its honing beacon from their shared home.
and remembering then who THEY were.

Omega Dawn

Circles and Silence

2009-07-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

The First Community Circle was perfect, just as it was. We had many people intending to be there, 8 others were physically there. Many others we there as well, in their thoughts. I had planned a major public launch in the papers and have Jason there, but it seemed too sensational. Its not quite at that point yet, maybe it won't be ever... maybe it will.

I kept picturing that it was the tiny pin hole in the dam's wall that would start an awareness in this entire community of the power of sitting in a circle and listening each voice, each valuable facet of one collaboration of life. i caught myself smiling at the possibilities of how we could expand this idea into many groups and families.

Lyle Bridges had a superb idea to set the chairs up in a circle in front of the large mirror covering the south wall. It created a figure eight. We set the camera from an elevated vantage point on a table. All faces in the circle could be seen in this way.

The topic was " What Do You Know"? Many had a story of how they came to Mission and how special it was. THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY is creating a directory of resources. Will be started at the farmers market. Come and add your name and resources. What is your talent, what would you like to share? We all have wisdom no matter how old or young, rich of poor, famous or hidden. In the tough times ahead it will be good to know how we can help each other.

Here it was safe to drop roles that we are used to getting stuck in and meet in a group of strangers where each person can be heard out, known and understood. As I listened, it was as if i could see myself in each of the perspectives, and strangers were just friends yet to meet.

Sometimes we sat with the rock in our hand and passed it on in silence. Sometimes we just paused waiting to know what to say in this moment, which was different than every other moment as the rock circled around. The silence was welcome. It was bonding. It was unifying. It was a relief in a busy frantic life just being allowed to sit, be received and accepted, just as you are, now.

Topics of personal vs professional, transparency and following intuition. Resources of Website design, childrens classes, music, borscht making, teaching, engineering, circle facilitation and inspiring children to trust in themselves.

If you don't know me already, i should tell you that I see everything like a real life movie. So much symbolism all around. I thought what if this circle was a mini version of a big version? I looked closer.

It occurred to me that the people that were sitting in the circle also were holding a voice for the facets of town, the way the diamond looks from the top. The sports facet was BUBBLING over about its enthusiasm for life and THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY. The Education facet was suffering from a sore back, ( support ) and needed to share its knowledge. Local business facet had deep points about meaning and awareness of what diamond community was about on a deeper lever.( showing there is a great deal of potential to inspire more local business) There was a gap in the health facet. ( no one sitting there. ( found that funny considering the latest hospital issues) and three people were squeezed into the family facet. ( also the emotions) This facet during the course of the circle, moved from fear to utter open connection, and actually was a mother daughter. Lots of layers,, Heritage had stories upon stories and me, sitting in the arts section kept talking about teaching art and abstract things. The environment facet was the leader of sorts, and made me think that if we as a town focus on what is greener and more in balance, we will find great potential for sustainability and practical solutions.

Adding a layer of the Powers on top of that, its interesting, but that is more for later.

From sorrow to joy.

2009-07-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

This is a piece of writing that was written in celebration of Diamonds, community and new ways to do things with compassion and creativity. People now bravely stepping into the center stage ones, that stayed off stage for so long. Marsha is a prolific writer who moved from the Fraser Valley to Ontario. She is teaching a course this fall from my online creativity classes at www.oktobus.ca. "Write from the Heart. Right from the Soul" helping you find your voice.

THE DIAMOND"S LIGHT
- Marsha Ward

I didn't say that love was not alive in your heart
a gleaming jewel, sparkling, waiting to be held in your hands, noticed within your heart.

I didn't say that mermaids don't sing in the early morn, that fairy's disguised as firefly's won't flutter
and fly showering the ever present sky with magic.

I didn't say that loves call is harsh, wrong or broken.

I didn't say that wonder isn't alive and well waiting for our notice.

If a mermaid sang would we notice her song, singing to the seals her friends?
Would we notice that as we walk that the ground is alive beneath our feet
feeling us
calling us
to sing our song
to the delight of grasshoppers, ants.

To babies that giggle for no apparent reason
To all children who forgive so easy with open, trusting hearts
.. can we see this and honor the presence of loves song?

Can we hear the wind speaking in voices that bear messages of long ago?
Messages holding tears unshed, a dam,
A torrential cleansing bursting forth!

Lets dance in the rain, rejoicing in a moment of innocent love.

I said please don't hurt them for they suffer as we all have
for in that that moment where anguish lives, voices snicker calling out names that mark and mar our already wounded hearts.
We all need loves affirmation to raise us up become who we are again listening to our own hearts song.

Oh my friend of my heart how I cherish you!
You who shares of a song once sung.
For you are like a diamond that gleams.

You stand in my heart shining,
I feel your brilliance
You can be nothing else but as you are.
You refract so many colors all bearing a message spoken in the sky by a rainbow, a master piece of emotions
so willing to be so humble
so willing to bear a smile
a reminder of lights warmth.

While darkness comes the trees bow their branches.
Leaves hang rustling in the wind, bearing shelter for those who call out.
And yet we weep and mourn forgetting the gentle moon
Forgetting the stars reminding us of our home that lives within us all.

This play that we are all a part of ... What are your lines?
I look to the sky
I feel the stars
I sing
knowing I am heard.

I look within, eyes closed feeling the warmth of the sun upon my face, the kiss of day .. heat bugs .. soft falling snow and remember ..
This day I can laugh, embrace love, feel the tears once forgotten,
I sing
I sang
I do my best
Remember my song the song of my hearts calling from birth.

The heartbeat of my Mother, the voice of my Father
the love I do receive,
The joy, the laughter that is present.
For in these moments, I surrender, wrapping myself in your blanket of loves truth.
to start anew to enjoy what treasures you have revealled to my heart.
I give thanks.

Oh my heart.
Oh my Creator, I give thanks!
Oh my friends, my family, your treasures that some may yet lay still buried
I feel you and rejoice in your blessing!

Make way for the presence of laughter song!
Make way for the touch of beauty in- living you to hold a tender being in the face of dark times!
Where the moon nor the sun lights your way and think on the things of blessings.

Call out from your heart in the silence of dreams
For days come and night falls, all things that bear the seeds of hope grow tall into a garden of kindness to be tended.

Be kind in your ways for all are fighting a battle somewhere.
Lay aside your weapons.
Lay aside in waiting to feel deeply the blessings of love's tender being for we are but a reflection of this beauty.
We are all an orchestra that may bear a beautiful symphony.
To bless the Earth with a tender touch of love to remember our own hearts song.
I didn't say that the Creator has bad days and forgets things and needs to forgive us. I said there is no one name for this being there are many.

That God, Goddess, Mother, Father, of our hearts, Creator .. has no bad days .. we do and this is known and embraced and we are loved beyond our human minds comprehension
I said it was us who has bad days,
The Creator is our diamond to remember our light where we come from
what ray we flow with, knowing that all colors come from each other,
flowing to form a blessing of promise

Ties that Bind

2009-07-21T12:50:00.000-07:00

This book caught my eye today as I was flying intuitively through looking for the branding that i would like to use as commUNITY.

Community

I have been wondering why I have been so obsessed about this vision of community, the diamond and the power of art to transform a life. I have seen changes for the better in my own life and continue to do so. Although processing in public is not exactly safe or professional. The medium of internet lends well to transparency, and that is like a diamond!

Today has been a day of advertising for the public " What Do You Know" circle on Sunday night. Although it laps the Mission Folk Festival wrap up. We will record it an post it. The thing about art is, that all you need is one mark on the blank canvas and the painting is begun. That is the intent for this night. The perfect people will be there at the perfect time.

Here is the blurb emailed out. I am resistant to printing out posters. Seems like word of mouth/internet may be best.

Like you, I have a pile of bills too. The funding options are numerous. Its important to discern what and how. Bringing castles out of the air to earth is my personal challenge in these next months ahead.

We harvested the transparent apples in the back yard, made sauce and dried them. My sisters neighbourhood in Oregon has a garden sharing circle. Is there anything like that here? The farmers market is supposed to be such a place but few people take their stuff down there.

We will be there Saturday to promote the Children's Art Camps at
www.oktobus.ca on Family Fun Day. Its located behind the Mission Library in the parking lot. Come and get fresh Bannock. Since this month is education, I am sending out this site to the homeschool networks and schools for distance ed. Walking through the schools I see the same art done year after year in the same ways. Nice result, zero expression and inner vision. In this world where children are fed constant images, its so important to let them come through from inside as well. That takes time, silence and encouragement. I have a workshop for teachers to help them understand the visual language. We all know it, just have to remember it.

This whole diamond community adventure truly is an art process. A documented evolving collaborative effort. There is close to 50 people/groups following from around the world and contributing to the eight month effort at the start this July.

CommUNITY efforts

2009-07-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Close Encounters Of the Third Kind... Remember that movie? 1977 was a long time ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUcOaGawIW0
It was about a line worker, after a encounter with UFO's, feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen.

Like here in Mission.

Feeling undeniably drawn to attend New Heights Church http://www.newheights.bc.ca/ at Heritage Park on Sunday.
The young pastor was feeling lead to talk about the individual and community. There I was, with diamond community papers in hand. CLICK. In place. I love when that happens. I asked him to send me the notes so I can link them in here today.

Creating commUNITY based on authenticity, virtues and the highest, most innocent part of who we are can not be a bad thing. Different maybe but not evil. Trusting in the process takes time.

So this art project is about bringing far out concepts down to earth, piercing through labels and brands and sound and to a place where we meet as individuals. Different yes, but more the same than different. There is nothing to fear. Something very practical and sensible in a poly-dimensional sort of way, adding quite big dose of humor as well. I am up for a challenge at bringing opposites together, rich and poor, aboriginal and professional, male and female, yin and yang, heaven and hell. With unconditional love, all unite and solutions are found.

I attended a meeting for Downtown Residents Association. It also was almost a mini diamond community meeting. Topics about Mission's Unique-ness, its deep roots of community involvement, its need for inclusion and bridging silos, getting information out fast and quickly, getting more communication flowing between fragments of town.

Our team that has felt undeniably drawn to this project for self transformation as well as being able to help the town, have been at the drawing board, in the board room non-stop. Suddenly this week the ball is in motion. It is very apparent that this is a completely collaborative effort. We got the publicity in motion here in order to reach a wider audience.

On the far out side: Found a site I thought was quite close to what we are developing here... made me wonder a bit about the collective unconscious and the implications of what we have started. On the other side of the world a similar use of words from Celia Fenn. and this site... www.diamondlightworld.com

or this video...

If all this is new to you I do not want to scare you. Grounding and practical has not been a strong point , but like you and this town, I too an being transformed. I do not want to hide either. So as I learn to face my fears of making business cases, set up ledgers for cashflow and help make a solid platform for alternative housing and power, I ask you to meet me in the place of the unknown, without fear.

The Diamond's Aim

2009-07-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

Writing things down made her realize how big this vision truly was and how utterly incapable she felt a bringing it to life alone, yet how necessary it felt to contine forth. The point was however, that it was already there, that more people would step up to see it and start to be inspired. So many people have lived out their life essence making this town what it was. Somehow though, in the walks through its streets she heard its whispers of wanting to claim its potential, wanting to live its dreams and heal from the past.

It was the hearts that needed to understand that times were not as hopeless as they might appear, that no matter what people called the Source, there truly was a divine element at play. She like the word "ineffable". Yet, over time that point of connection where each one comes from,where each one returns to, was getting more and more known, tangible and simple.

There could be freedom. The chains of sorrow could be broken. It was her own inner chains she was breaking. The vision outside she new would change as a wise teacher once told her that" change was the only constant". THe mountains of sorrow were crumbling.

They were not all destined to living their lives in slavery, drudery and fear. A hub was being revealed, a hub that people could centre around, a vision to resource each other, celebrate the past and let it go into a future of co-operation and communication. At first intangible occurring in dreams, but soon to show up in practical form.

"Social Media creating Local Community
Valuing our stories, transparency and collective wisdom " It was not too late.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES
To provide an eight month plan to market our town, our talents and alternatives to each other and the world
To be a platform for individuals to launch their dreams and draw global attention to this area.
To highlight an ever growing network of people to integrate solutions in these massive times of change
Provide a vision and model to bring Mission’s social plan to reality.
Building cooperative alternatives for a community based balanced society.

Letter to my town/self

2009-07-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

A speech to the town: at the forum to develop at recreation plan.

I'm wondering how happy each one of us are? How peaceful and content with the quality of our life?
Do we have time with our loved ones the way we would like to?
The future does start now.

Do we want to continue on the same way? Perhaps there is a way of looking at growth in more ways than dollars or a linear fashion. Perhaps we have an opportunity tonight to recreate a future, using parts of the past that have worked and building a
future potential of a deeper vision.

I'm in art, I'm not in politics, but I'm still thinking that there are ways that we can unite in ways that we haven't thought of before, ways that we can really develop a new idea here. I've been here in this town for four years. When I moved here there was a rainbow over my street and I said," there's something special about this town".

The banks are going in crisis, families are in crisis, everybody knows that the social breakdown is now begging for an evaluation of what we as a community can do for each other. So let's increase the kindness and creativity. I'm a designer, we're designing communities, maybe we can approach the community planning with a new focus?

I trust in a creative process. We can create something that is way beyond what we could possibly imagine. As we listen to each other and to our elders, reinvent together, listen to the children. Let's not follow what we've already done, let's not just think tax dollars and think other things that we have always done but not worked. What we need to do is start to depend on each other. Its time to listen to each other, time to rely on making our own food, goods, and unite in ways that might make our town an example to a hurting, warring world. Making technology be in balance with nature and the individual voice.

What if the majority of the residents just stopped doing what they hate to do and tried to change their lives to do things that won't deplete them. What if we collectively decided not to feed the fear? Started listening to our own wisdom and develop with
beauty and respect and harmony? If we continue in the old ways, we will really not have much to grow and develop in
the future!

If we develop with nature, with our hearts, with our happiness, maybe we'll invent Mission as this cultural destination and people will wonder what did that little town do?Perhaps if everyone join in a circle, if we put our brains together in an inventive way we're going to come up with some practical. innovation, fun solutions

The Circle

2009-07-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

The Circle

My friend, I cannot be silent
My friend, I cannot stay still
My friend my heart just won't let me follow you.
My friend, my song must be sung.

The chaos and fear is growing deeper around us
The past sweeps into the present
and future seems confusing and dim.
First impulse is to order in labels and boxes
In the name of security and peace.
My friends, a tone is calling you
Can you hear it?
The ones that can,
join hands.

Long ago, i had a dream
I was lost, alone deep in a forest
ahead of me I could see the light
and followed it to the edge.
Stumbling through brambles, I emerged.
There were people gathering in a large circle
in a warm, green meadow, on top of the hillside.
They reached out to me saying
join us, join us
reach out your hand
reach out your hand.

My friends there's a new song arising
My friends its ancient and true
My friends its a new kind of order
My friends it respects each ones difference, it includes.
Can you hear it?
The ones that can, raise your hands.
Each one hears it in a different way.

One by one, step by step we let go of the old ways
Singing out above the artificial world and its lies.
To the tune of our soul, to the current of power
that comes from stepping out with courage and might.

Its over, that pain of the past
its over, the things that don't last
All that remains is the circle that was there all along.
join in,
join us
reach out your hand
you are safe to be YOU!
Safe to be True.

My friend, lets stand and be silent
My friend, its ok to be still.
Step into the circle.
Talk in the circle
Take your place in the circle of Life.

All alloy melts away in the circle
till only pure gold remains.

When you change, the world changes.

2009-07-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the truest aspects are the ones that are most ancient. It intrigues me to combine technology and social media to explore ancient and natural Wisdom. We add on layers and layers to our authentic core of who we are, only to strip it away when we allow ourselves to sit in silence. It is then we are transparent, this takes time and effort.

July, This first month of an eight month process of transformation, is on the theme of the Power to Withdraw. Most everything starts in the Mind, with a thought. We have a mind, we are not our mind. We have thoughts, but are not our thoughts. Who are we then? Re-membering who we really are is a process. dropping the roles and who people have told us we are. Its in the stillness that we begin to allow that authentic voice to come through us. That is what is guiding me as I initiate this online, collaborative. community project. My mum used to say, trust the still small voice within.

These next eight months ahead are going to be created in collaboration with the individuals of This Diamond Community,--- with you! I welcome you to start online journals as well documenting your process as personal as you dare to go, as you intent to follow along this development from isolation to power filled integration.

My Art school mentor at the Philadelphia University of the Arts taught me that the way to be most universal is actually the most personal. So that’s the risk, the intent and the drive. We are like mountain peaks with rivers of connection running through our deep bases. Not so separate after all, yet each majestic and unigue in their own right.

It may take time for you to understand my language and terms. I try to be as gender neutral, religion neutral and as universal as possible. It makes sense if we all are connected to one Source of Life that runs through us all. Facing the center of our circle we have One aim, One objective--- to be linked to that tip of the diamond, The roles that we all are playing become less conflicted and fragmented.

Here is the Link for the Diamond Map. Here in Mission there is a small core of people who have felt led to move here. In the last four years they have been almost feeling “sent“. We experience it to be true that as you change the world changes and have approached social development as a way of self development. We have been working on this level in Mission, BC for over three years. See www.Oktopus.ca. We have produced a couple of plays for adults and children, called Voices of One parts one and two.

We encourage you to begin dialogue with your community and encourage more people to join in more circles, gathering in groups that are there to encourage values, collaboration and human resourcing. building a diamond community of your own in these times of separation and isolation. Today’s world where the binding elements are fear, movies, news, sports and TV the connections are contrived and surface. When we reach towards our Authentic core, own the natural truth and communicate from here, our divinity of sorts, the binding elements are freeing, loving and virtuous.

When we see another, It is as if we are looking into the eyes of a part of ourselves. true empathy can arise and solutions are found.

Often, the largest trees grow from the tiniest seeds.

July 1st launch

2009-07-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

At one o 'clock today 8 of us and one baby named Noi, gathered in a field in circle, that generations of First Nations have gathered around. In the circle center at our feet was ashes and soil. In our minds eye, we saw it turn into a rare, precious diamond and grow till we looked down and could see our feet turn into a The Sunlight was brilliant today. Dragonflies and a tiger butterfly flew by and the wind blew gently around us.

The intention: That THIS DIAMOND COMMUNITY program benefit ourselves and draw connections of light between isolated facets of the world and the communities that we live in. I want you to feel like we are companions on this journey ahead. Its starting from a tiny seed and you are part of its expansion and the renewal. We gather in a global circle, in our towns and villages to begin today, knowing self transformation is truly world transformation.

We start in the east in this journey. Focusing on the Air Element, on the mind. Notice this month the breeze your breathe. Send it powerful purifying thoughts. Breath in the gunk and breathe out clean and pure. This flows through us, in us and unties us.

This month of July brings in the Power to Withdraw. It starts off as iron age. Like a turtle, we sometimes close off to who we really are, hiding deep inside. This month our intent is to transmute this power to gold! knowing who we really are.

Here is a video about how to cut a diamond. it made me smile as I thought about our willingness to be master craftsmen of our lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of96rWSOTYo&feature=related

May you be constantly be sparkling.

Diamond Clusters

2009-06-27T22:44:00.000-07:00

The Farmers Market was fiiled with sunlight this morning. It is surrounded by trees in the back to the library parking lot. Today, the Bannock tent had a line up and I walked in there with a bucket of wild flowers picked from the Storage for Life yard. They seeded about two blocks of the front of their buidling with the most colourful wildflowers I have every seen.

In fact this year everything seems more in color, like the land of OZ. My last years seems quite black and white and very distant.

Was thinking of getting together in Cluster Groups, much like my old church organized when i was growing up. They could be responsible for collecting stories and videos form people in town. The biggest obstacles to this art project is TIME. so many people can barely get time to cook a meal let alone have one more meeting. In the future though we will be happy we took the time to get out of a rut that strangles life from each other and our families.

I am meeting such terrific people here in this town. Something very grand is occurring and its nice to be a part of it. Its more than nice. That word doesn't say much. I feel honored to be part of it. Like the prophet at the East gate church said, God has big plans for this area and angels are set up all around the fraser valley.

Whether God is in your picture or not, its still neat ( another Non-word ) to think of something special happening in our midst, isn't it? Worth it to take a little time out from normal?

Is it too old fashioned to think "people have the power?" : ) thanks patti smith.

Success

2009-06-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

S- Surrender,
U-Unite,
C- Care.
C- Commune,
E- Elevate,
S-Serve,
S-Synchronize

Redefine it, what it means personally! Not what others define it as.

See this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnJN_quq0Go.

Its like fishing: Is Success when you catch the fish or the fact that I left my other duties to go fishing, or how I could keep all the worries from my mind? Or if you catch a big fish or small fish? It depends upon your intent and focus. That is personally defined.

Redefining Success helps us become individually involved with our lives, community and relationships. Stops putting a form upon us of how things "SHOULD" be, but Loving and appreciating how things are. Just as they are. Even if its a big "yuck". That then transforms the present and attracts more of what we want. All things change. How do things change under negative vision? What we focus on expands.

Forming a group and living a life where everyone dresses the same, thinks the same, furnishes their homes the same, compares themselves to a standard set from the outside, is like building a wall with bricks that falls down in a matter of years. Instead of a stone wall that lasts hundreds of years, built with each stone hewed within its own authentic nature fitting together with beauty and Just_ Right_ness.

Realistic Awareness

2009-06-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday was Aboriginal day. The pow wow drum beat filled every atom of the room. The heart wrenching sounds of the singers mounted in ever heightening lightness, busting through the dense clouds of sorrow and stuck patterns. She danced, this little one, with resolute focus and attention to each step, each breathe an act of wilful intent. This was truly a diamond moment. The bannock and blueberries were piled high on the table, the songs acknowledging our unity and diversity, celebrating our connection to our creator and creation.

"Bring up a chair", an elder said to me. "See the diamond in my ear? The individual and the multi-faceted community, thats old teachings." The white haired men smiled, buck skin vest and guitar at his feet. I didn't have to talk, but there was understanding. " We will call you to speak at our group soon".

Circles of healing and restoration begin here and now. Rumours of health care alternatives and the opportunities that changes bring. Greeting the longest day of the year with renewed hope, as we are looking into the possibilities of gathering around the medicine wheel, July 1 to start the 8 month progression though the Power Wheel towards more community co-operation.

Butterflies and Diamonds

2009-06-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Charchol under deep pressure turns into Diamonds.

And its been intense. Something is yearning to come through me. I am ready to step into it and ready to serve. "Being fully living who we are. Living our joy, this is inclusive of you having your needs met!"~ David Morelli

So they say... And sometimes life pares you down to core needs. We really do not need to be run by our needs!

I have spent the last months investigating what it is that my family and I truly "need". Simplified down to essential basics. For some its a rigid lifestyle, yet for us its freedom. We are investigating what is is that we crave and why and stopping any attachment a deep peace.

Here is a recent observation.

We ordered Pink Lady butterfly larva to our home,
a few weeks ago they arrived,
In tiny little worlds of a sealed plastic cup
eating sugary granules and emitting their waste. ~ omegadawn

Four of them crawling around in tight misery
not knowing the wonders of the world outside.
Not aware of the soul watching them.

Then as if following a secret discussion they attached to the roof
of the tiny cup no bigger than two inches tall.
Dangling there and then somehow, staying very still
silently spinning their web around them,
each on to their own unique design,
some more decorative than others

The four of them hung their in eery solitude,
the weather changes outside,
the days came and went
Immense change was happening
as we almost forgot about them in our
scurry of activities.

Until Today.. the little boy cried, its born!
Our Pink Lady is born!
Its free!
Oh it was! we lifted up the lid
It was panting and disoriented,
hugging onto one of the other forms in bondage.

Another hanging form was swinging wildly with so much force
IT was makigng intense effort to undo its wrappings
it was ready to fly
and so, at the right time, it burst out
with the determination of its life
and in a second, it was in a new world.

Pausing, uncoiling its long black tongue in and out
shimmering its wings
it took off into flight to the nearest hanging flower
swinging around to our faces to say goodbye.
and wish us well.

The Eye of the Storm

2008-04-14T09:03:00.001-07:00

What does starting a new blog today have to do with what REALLY needs to be done?
To have a public trail of events: one more thing to take me away from studio time, children time, book making and play writing time. Its a big commitment. Yet.... I enjoy the possible benefits that the work will harvest in the end.

" Do you Know? What You Know? How you know? Are you in the KNOW? The NOW the current current. Ride the wave of Influence that takes us all ever deeper, ever subtler ever higher. The Tide of your dreams of the ocean of bliss, the ebb and flow of your own Muse unleashed on a thirsty desert built of your own annihilation and lack of trust. Let all that you Know go and immerse your Self into a infinitesimally multidimensional point of awareness with me, and come out the other side refreshed, renewed and gleaming gold"