Thursday, October 23, 2008

Let Me Love

Today, I want to share another poem from my friend John McIntosh, "Let Me Love". It is a powerful message as to the responsibility we all share for the common welfare of everyone.

Are you going through your day as a testament to the ever flowing, ever expanding love of the universe?

Are you spreading love or fear? Peace or disharmony? Joy or sadness?
Do you live your life in the cosmic flow of love or do you fight against the current?

Do you understand the simple power of sharing your love with the world?

Do you know the influence you have on those around you?

Do you understand that at all times you are example for someone, even just yourself?

Please take the time to read this wonderful, uplifting poem and hopefully you will understand the role you play in this world.



LET ME LOVE!

Let me not withhold
the overflowing cup
from any who are in need.

Let me,
with every beat of my heart,
extend an ocean
of healing love
to an ever widening circle.

Let me express in every tiny deed,
the grace and peace
that now fills my heart,
that all I touch will be inspired
to do the same.

Let me be an example of faith,
standing tall against the backdrop
of a world lost in fear and attack.

Let me love.

Blessings

John~Teach Only Love~ McIntosh
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.to%2Fspirittracks%2F&h=7ac866252c5ba4ce8f9df2ae0a0df048

BTW, the illustration is from my book, Rare Sense; One Day It Will Be Common: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life. .

If you have thoughts or comments, please feel free to share them here. I want to hear from you!

May you be blessed always and in all ways

Harry
http://www.raresenseunlimited.com/

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Empowering Women, Part 2


There are several areas where I have tried to make a difference by empowering women in my own community. I have always known that the place where you can have an immediate and profound impact is right in your own backyard.

Before I go any further I want everyone to understand, especially the men, that by empowering the females in your life, you are helping them to be the best wife, friend, mom, business woman, sister, aunt, cousin, girlfriend and woman that they can be, which will not only have a positive impact on your life, but on the world in general. I am talking about an equality and harmony of souls, so that together we can make this world the best it can be.

It is my hope that through sharing some of what I do, it will give forth ideas on how you can find ways to empower the people in your community and your life.

"Embrace and love all of yourself - past, present, and future. Forgive yourself quickly and as often as necessary. Encourage yourself. Tell yourself good things about yourself." - Melody Beattie

First if all, in my own immediate family. My daughter is 18 now and all through her childhood years I did everything I could to encourage and support her in her activities. I often pointed out that she could do or be anything she wanted as long as she put her mind to it and put forth the effort. I empowered her by never limiting her on things she wanted to try and always being there to provide guidance and coaching. We had many a "serious" talks during the car rides to and from school and not too long ago she pointed out to me that those were some of the most fun times we had together. I taught her to have big dreams and lofty goals and how to work towards those things. I taught her that the only limits were the ones she placed on herself. I celebrated her victories and comforted her in her defeats.

"Think in terms of what's good for the other person and success will seek you out." - Mary Kay Ash

I also tried to lead by example by not limiting my dreams and goals by going out on a limb and starting my own business. While I am not talking all the credit for how she has turned out, I can say that she is a loving, caring, determined, hard working, compassionate, young woman with a very bright future ahead of her.

"I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun." - Katharine Hepburn

Next, would be my beautiful bride. A few years back, Tammy came to me and said she would like to finish her degree. I knew it was something she really wanted and so I supported her wholeheartedly. She went back to school and during that time I did everything I could to ensure that she did not have to worry about the domestic things, so she could concentrate on school. Well, she not only graduated with her degree but did so with honors. You could not have found a more proud husband on her graduation day and she accomplished something she had always wanted to do.

"Success means that we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others." - Marianne Williamson

As a basketball coach for a Junior High girls basketball team I sit them down just before our first practice and tell them that they will be learning about life and that basketball is just a byproduct. Then throughout the season we have our "life lesson" sessions where we talk about teamwork, dedication, determination, passion, vision, etc.

"One's philosophy is expressed in the choices one makes." - Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

We do exercises like: 1. goal setting; 2. Writing down something nice about each of their teammates, which I compile and give to each of them and 3. defining words and how they relate to basketball and life. I also hand out inspirational quotes and encourage, encourage, encourage.

"It never occurs to me that there are things that I can't do." - Whoopi Goldberg

I know the importance of women having positive male role models and so I do my very best everyday to be that role model. And so what are you doing to empower the people in your life?

Well, that is all for today.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Glow Project for Women

http://www.glowproject.org
One of my favorite things in life to do is empower women. It is one of my passions because I know how critical it is to the very survival of our world. I also know that there are not enough men in this world who are actively empowering women and that is a tragedy of epic proportions. As further evidence and testament of the wisdom of women, I will be offering quotes from some of the most influential women of all time.

"My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment." - Oprah Winfrey

For way too long, we have been a patriarchal society, dominated by male energies and suppressing female energies. The imbalance of these two energies has been the root cause for so many of our social ills. I am not advocating a return to a matriarchal society as that imbalance is not right either. The balance and harmony of these two energies will bring in the dawning of a new era of peace, compassion, love, tolerance and acceptance and must be pursued with all vigor.
"Regret is an appalling waste of energy, you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in." - Katherine Mansfield


I have learned first hand the power of women from my Mom. When her marriage to my father was finally coming an inevitable end, she was determined that for the first time in our lives, we would own our own home. The whole time my parents were married, my father refused to buy a house but rather chose to rent and spend much of his money on alcohol. My Mom wanted us to have a place we could call home and on her small salary as a school secretary and many second jobs, she was able to buy a house. As a single parent, she struggled to pay the bills but she always provided for her children, often going without herself. However, there was never ever a lack of love. She had to assume both roles of Mother and Father and did so with courage, determination and grace. I will never ever be able to repay her for all that she has done for me but I can pay it forward.

"Success means that we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others." - Marianne Williamson

So, to honor my Mom, I encourage all women and the men who support them to go to http://www.glowproject.org/ and learn more about "The most inspiring movie ever created for women!" It is through things like The Glow Project and E-women Network (http://www.ewomennetwork.com/index.html) that this new era will be ushered in. And not a moment too soon!

"I believe that we are solely responsible for our choices, and we have to accept the consequences of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime." --Elisabeth Kubler-Ross


That's all for today!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

Monday, October 20, 2008

My new venture!

Today is going to be short and sweet. I began a new venture last week and I am so excited about it. I have my own Internet radio show on Blog Talk Radio (BTR). Now, before you get too excited for me I have to say that anyone can do a show on BTR but not everyone can do it quite like me and so I am excited.

Here is what I am doing with the show: Harry's radio show, Rare Sense Thoughts will combine helpful tips and advice on living a fulfilled & balanced life, spiritual & personal growth, as well as, interviews of experts in the areas of manifestation, spirituality, life coaching, passionate living, psychic phenomenon and more. His goal is to help millions of people be the best they can be in all aspects of their lives.

My tagline for the show is Empowered, Enlightened, Evolved!

The link to the show is http://www.blogtalkradio.com/harryshade and the cool thing is if you cannot listen when the show airs, which BTW is Wednesdays @ 11:00 pm EST, they are automatically archived and soon they will be available through I tunes.

So, I hope you will tune in. I know it will be empowering, enlightening, evolving and fun!

That's all for today!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

Friday, October 17, 2008

On Our 10th Wedding Anniversary


Well as you can tell from the title, today is my 10th wedding anniversary. You know the old saying that times flies. Well, I like to say that time flies period but it flies faster when you are having fun and so the past ten years have gone at light speed because it has been an absolute blast.

I do tease my wife quite a bit and say things like "Ten years? It feels like thirty!" But in reality, I wish she was the one I had met first.
So, today, my blog is dedicated to my wife, Tammy, because I want the world to know how I feel about her and what she means to me.

I LOVE YOU

I LOVE YOU WITH THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF MY SOUL.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU SAY SILLY THINGS THAT MAKE ME LAUGH.
I LOVE YOU WHEN WE HAVE "QT" WATCHING OUR FAVE SHOWS TOGETHER.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU MAKE ME APPLE CRISP.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE SMART
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE KIND.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE COMPASSIONATE.
I LOVE YOU WITH EVERY FIBER OF MY BEING.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU DON'T MATCH.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU SNEAK PEANUT BUTTER TO THE DOG.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU SPEND TIME WITH MELINDA.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE CARING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE ACCEPTING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT.
I LOVE YOU WITH EVERY OUNCE OF ENERGY I HAVE.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU KISS THE TOP OF MY HEAD.
I LOVE YOU WHEN WE HAVE DATE NIGHT.
I LOVE YOU WHEN WE LAUGH AT OUR SILLY PETS.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE CARING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE GIVING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE PASSIONATE.
I LOVE YOU WITH ALL THE POWER OF THE UNIVERSE.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU ALLOW ME TO BE ME.
I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU ARE YOU.
I LOVE YOU WHEN WE TAKE WALKS TOGETHER.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE LEARNING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE GROWING.
I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOU.
I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY TO MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDE.
HERE'S TO MANY, MANY MORE.
YOU ARE WHY I DO WHAT I DO,
BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO BE PROUD TO BE MY WIFE.

LOVE YA LOTSA MUCHAS!

HARRY

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Know There Is A Way

From time to time I come across articles, stories, poems, etc, that I want to share with you because they are so inspiring, empowering, enlightening and/or uplifting. Today, this one fits all four. This comes from John McIntosh. If you would like to learn more about this beautiful soulful being named John and his spiritual writings please visit this link http://johnhmcintosh.wordpress.com/

When darkness comes and fear fills your heart, Know, there is a way.

When all your dreams come crashing down, Know, there is a way.

When friends cannot be found and there is no one to comfort you, Know, there is a way.

When you are ready to lay down and quit, Know, there is a way.

To know is to find the way.

Knowing cannot be found out there.

Knowing is found in the silence of surrender within.

The way is within.

John McIntosh ~Teach (BE) Only Love~
Copyright 2008 John & Ananda McIntosh

Now, I would like to share an excerpt from Chapter One: Know of my book; Rare Sense, One Day It Will Be Common: A Practical Guide to a Fulfilled and Balanced Life, Copyright 2008 Harry Shade.

Next, we come into knowing and when we reach this level the whole universe opens up to us. We say “Aha” a lot! Nothing is impossible. We have a total sense of peace & well being. It is quite clear who we really are, a spiritual being in human form. We now live for the moment and make a life instead of a living. We know that we are responsible for all of it. We are creating life anew, every moment of every day. We know that we make the choices that control our destiny. We are our future.

We understand the perfection of it all, how everything is interconnected,
interdependent, and inseparable. In other words it is all one within itself. There is no separation. Everything is a necessary part of the whole and that whole is God expressing itself.


As John so eloquently said, Knowing is found within. So, go within and you will find the true you and you will know, then, who you really are and that all your answers can be found there.

I will leave you with this quote:

“Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” - Epictetus

That's all for today.

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

11 Things to Help You On Your Life Path


Yes, 11 things, not 10, not 9, but 11. I could have easily made it 10 but 11 just feels right and it is a power number for all you numerologists out there. OK, here goes.

1. Find your passion: What gives you the warm and fuzzies? What do you love to do? Several recent studies have said that upwards of 80% of people do not like what they do for a living. I would say that they either do not know what their passions is or they have not been able to find a way to turn it into a career.

Since, there are 20% of the people who are happy with their jobs more than likely they are passionate about what they do. So, if they can do it, why not you? I suggest two things, get the book "The Passion Test" by Janet and Chris Attwood and step through your fears.

2. Get healthy: Whatever you need to do or can do to be healthier, do it! Today, not tomorrow, today. You know what it is you need to do, so start doing it. No more excuses! Do it now.

3. Serve others: If you are currently doing something to be of service to others, skip to #4. If not, make the time and find a way to serve. You will get more out of it than you give, trust me I know!

4. Try something new: Get out of your boring day to day routine and try something new. It can be new food, new clothes, new hair style, anything. One way you know that you are living life to the fullest is in your experiences. When was the last time you tried something, anything new? If it took you more than 2 seconds to answer that question then it has been too long! Do you know how many different cuisines there are in the world. Tonight, get on the Internet and try a new recipe or restaurant. You'll be glad you did!

5. Get your financial house in order: This one does not require a long explanation why this is important. Finances are the one area in life that causes the most stress, fear, anxiety and relationship issues. So, do something about it and do it now.

6. Learn new stuff: You could say that this goes along with "try something new" but it is actually different. What I mean here is read some books on your career field, watch some interesting shows on the such channels as Discovery, History and National Geographic or take a continuing education course on a subject you know nothing about. It will expand your horizons, your brain cells and possibly your ability to be promoted at work.

7. Get away: Go somewhere, anywhere where you can just get away. Take some time to unwind and recharge. If money is an issue, take a day trip to a State Park or a ride through the country. Go to a festival or visit a themed area, like Amish country, here in Ohio. Whatever you do, just make time to get away! This will definitely help with #2.

8. Get your sleep: You would have to be living under a rock to not of heard about all the studies concerning lack of sleep. It is one of the biggest health issues facing us today. This negatively effects your immune system, your energy level and your ability to focus. Sleep allows you body to regenerate, heal itself and reduces stress. So make sure you are getting enough sleep.

9. Drink your milk: Milk is one of the wonders of nature. 8 ounces of skim milk provides 8 grams of protein for building lean muscle, has only 90 calories and provides many other nutrients and vitamins vital to a healthy body. It has even been shown to help with weight loss by providing everything body needs to help recover from exercise. In fact, there is a weight loss campaign called 24 in 24, 24 ounces of milk in 24 hours. Now, if you do not like skim milk, my wife calls it scared water, then 1% only has 10 calories more and all the same benefits. For those who are lactose intolerant, there are lactose free products, such as Lactaid. For you soy milk drinkers, you may find there are more calories but they also offer skim or fat free varieties.

10. Find a hobby: Doing something simply for the fun of it helps make our lives full. Whether it is scrap booking, photography, puzzles, you name it, having something that interests you and occupies your mind is a great way to spend time. This allows you to focus on other things, which provides time for your body to decompress from the day to day things. It also allows you the opportunity to go into solitude, which is highly important to your physical, mental and spiritual well being.

11. Keep a journal: Keeping a journal is a great way to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper, or perhaps typing into a computer. It allows you the opportunity to review the day and just check in with your inner self to see how things are going. In this hectic world, we often times neglect what going on inside of us, since we are so preoccupied with everything outside of us. Now, this can be a regular journal, where you put down everything and anything or more specific like a Daily Gratitude Journal. Many people I connect with say that they find it works best for them to journal at night just before they go to bed. I happen to journal throughout the day through my blog, other writing, Twitter and in a discussion group where we list at least three things we are grateful for each day. No matter how or when it is very helpful and enlightening.

I realize that I gave you things but not the how or where to look for information. Well, that's because I presume you know where to look. If you are reading this blog then you are on the Internet, start there! I am sure you will have no trouble finding things for each category.

OK, that's all for today. Once again, I know that if you start adding some of these things in your life, you will find it more balanced and fulfilling!

May you be blessed always and in all ways!

Harry