Over the last few weeks this site has had some strange happenings going on and I am putting it down to my lack of attention to it. You can liken it to a car for example. If you don’t put petrol in it, it won’t go!! To my loyal readers, for this I apologise in not bringing you material that keeps you informed and growing within yourself. With the upgrade and migration to a new server, I encountered some technical issues which are now resolved so all is up and running and now and I am back to writing for you.

Good vs Bad

I would like to bring your attention to something that struck me the other day. I watched a movie (shock, horror) which made me think about the good and the bad that is in the world today. Without the bad, there would be no good. What I mean to say is that every action has a complimentary reaction so when we hear of natural disasters or terrorist acts, we think these are bad things, but without them, we would not see the acts of kindness of the human race either. Follow me for a moment here.

In 2001, we all remember the planes crashing into the twin towers on 9/11. It didn’t hit me until one week later because at the time, I was with my firstborn in a sleep centre learning how to get her to sleep without too much interference from me. She happened to wake about 2am and that particular night, her cot was in the conference room where the night duty nurse had the TV on. I was half awake and the chaos of that day was unfolding right in front of my eyes on the tube. It didn’t really sink in until I was back home and my fogginess had cleared.

The events of that tragic day had everybody (or so it seems, as that is what the MEDIA portrayed to us) against terrorists and focusing on what they could and would do about them. Much later came the stories of acts of human kindness and because of this, there was a major shift in consciousness around the globe. People were helping others because it seemed the right thing to do. Now I am not discounting the thousands of people who lost their lives due to those attacks, and may they rest in peace, I am simply saying that if something as big as 9/11 didn’t happen, we may not have come as far as we have with a shift in consciousness.

I still don’t fully understand why it happened and I guess I never will because I cannot be those terrorists that made it so. What I can do though is be grateful that the human race can come together in times like these and give a helping hand.

Acts of Kindness

Now I have just described an event of mammoth proportions but it doesn’t take such an event for human kindness to shine through. Maybe you helped an elderly person cross the street, or maybe you cuddled a child who was hurt in an accident. It could be that you telephoned your wife/husband just to say “I love you” or even to take your mum shopping, or letting your niece write a post on your blog, lol! Whatever the case, I know each of you has this capability and if you wouldn’t mind sharing some thoughts on this, I am looking to write an ebook to be released when I get back from the Kokoda trek in which I will include a section about Acts of Kindness where I can feature what you share here.

PS. My niece who wrote the post prior to this has now set up her own blog at Michalea Is Me and I look forward to seeing what she does with it.

To Our Success

The Free Hugs Campaign in Melbourne on Monday was a blast. I headed into the Docklands with my fellow Thirty Day Challenger Brendan McNally and we almost got blown away by the wind so we decided to go into the Bourke St Mall where it would be a little more protected and I’m glad we did.

It’s funny how people react and for the most part and we gave and received some very big hugs. There were also those who took a wide berth, mainly the corporate types but I did manage to get some of the suits hugging me

There were all sorts of people in need of the human touch and one little boy especially who was nudged towards me by his mother. He would have been maybe 2 years old and his mother told him to get a hug from me because she never hugs him… ever. Having two little girls myself, my heart just broke so I spoke with him for a few minutes as he hesitantly came my way. Eventually he got close enough and accepted my hug. He was really sweet.

I feel for those people in the world who just don’t have that capability of being able to express themselves in this way. It is a form of love and healing when you touch another person and the warmth and energy that you get from a hug is just incredible. There is always room for more hugs in this world.

I think that my energy was zapped by the end of the day as I would have passed it on to those in need. I was truly exhausted and wouldn’t change a thing about the day (except my cameramen, perhaps). Moving right along.

There were also many highschool students around doing various projects around the CBD and this group in the photo here came up and mobbed me in a group hug. They actually couldn’t help themselves and kept coming back again and again. It was really great.

All in all, I wanted to get out there and Make A Difference to the lives of those who wanted me too. The Free Hugs Campaign which started with Juan Mann in Sydney, is all around the world now and speaking of which, I must thank Sam who is a seasoned hugger and goes to many of these events in his travels all around the world. He showed up after I posted in the forum at the main site and I was glad to meet him. He has also attended these events with Juan Mann himself.

I overcame many barriers on that day. Going out into a public place and hugging total strangers was a real buzz. I hope that the hugged people also felt blessed and that their barriers were broken down a little too. I did ask them all to pay it forward to others.

Making a contribution to a society that is filled with bad news 99% of the time, or so it seems, and the fact that it was the day before the anniversary 9/11 made it all the more special.

With a little social transformation going on right now, I would urge all of you who can to take part in this event. You can do it any day you want to in your local area. Or even better, check out the forum to see when one is coming up in your area and join in. I will be doing it again, that’s for sure.

As my friend Yogi says, if you want to be noticed, try being human. Afterall, we are spiritual beings having a human experience so let’s use it to our advantage.

Oh, I almost forgot, the footage of this day is being edited so I will let you know when it comes available. This is something new for me so be patient please. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

May You Be Blessed and virtual HUGS to all of you.

Ange

In the previous post I brought your attention to a revolution called The Shift movie and I have received feedback wondering where to go from here.

If you want to be a part of the biggest shift in social transformation in the history of the world and make a contribution, please visit the official website The Shift and there you will find a link to make a donation.

The movie is due to be released in the Spring of 2008. Here is an excerpt from the official website.

A massive worldwide phenomenon is in progress, offering seeds of great hope for the future.

Millions of individuals, organizations and corporations around the world are waking up and embracing a new outlook with an emphasis on their responsibility to contribute positively to our collective future.

We are in the middle of the biggest social transformation in human history, The SHIFT.

At this critical point, it is imperative we make the masses aware of this global movement quickly. This evolutionary phenomenon is broader and deeper than the most visible SHIFT, the environmental movement. It involves our very understanding of who we are as human beings, and our responsibility to the world and to life itself.

THE SHIFT movie raises awareness to the story of our roles in an evolutionary shift in our collective consciousness.

As it chronicles the faces, the stories and leaders assisting in this social transformation, the film reveals its emergence & meaning.

The rest is up to you.

Be the change you wish to see in the world today Mahatma Ghandi

Ange