"Nature is Change"

I gotta tell you that I love Pixar films. My kids love them, my husband loves them, and I could watch them over and over. And because I have three kids, I end up watching them over and over and over. Fine with me.

Recently, they've been into Ratatouille. In case you haven't seen it, it is about a rat named Remy who is passionate about food. He loves good food and happens to live in Paris, a mecca for great cooks and great food. The problem is, obviously, that he is a rat and humans don't look on rats in their houses, much less their kitchens, too kindly. As you may have guessed, he ends up cooking in the best restaurant in Paris and is elated.

Meanwhile, his father finds out what he is doing and is very disappointed and concerned. He does not trust humans because they have a history of killing rats. There is a very poignant scene when Remy's dad takes Remy to a shop that is selling rat poison. It has rat traps with rats hanging in them in the store front. The audience sees the brutality of "pest control" on display.

His father, making his point to Remy about the reality of how humans feel about rats states "You can't change nature." And Remy retorts "Change is nature."

My take on this exchange is that when you follow your passion, you can create what you want in this world. You can be a rat who loves cooking and food and against all odds, becomes a great chef in Paris. You can create different kinds of relationships between animals and humans and between humans and humans. Every moment is an opportunity to be different. To make a different choice. To tell a new story.

Have you been seeing things a certain way and can't conceive of things changing any time soon? Are you absolutely certain that "you can't change ______"? What rules have you made for yourself or others have made for you that have narrowed your point of view?

You may consider taking a step back and remembering that "change is nature". Change is our friend, not a scary thing that we try to avoid. Change allows us to look at things in a new way. It gives us wiggle room to see the infinite possibilities. Allow change. Welcome change. If you can, embrace change.

Leave your comments and insights about how change has served you in your life.

The Power of Love

I was watching my kids today. They were playing, eating Valentine's candy and to my surprise, actually sharing their candy with their siblings. It was good to see. My oldest had been looking forward to Valentine's Day for a while and it wasn't for the candy. It was for the love. She loves giving cards about love and of course, receiving them as well. She is open and generous with her love. My middle daughter loves to give kisses and squeezes and is always up for being carried around like a princess who is going off with her prince. My youngest, a son, is in constant state of "love me". He also gives kisses and hugs and asks for them often. That is the foundation of their life. It is the root of their survival. Giving and asking for love.

That is the power of love. Without it, we can cease to exist in this physical form or live a life where we feel dead. With it, we will not only live, but we thrive and blossom. In fact, love can change the planet. When just one person expresses and feels love, it has a ripple effect that can raise the vibration worldwide. It is our choice to add love to this world or to add fear.

Despite the crises that our world is facing, there is an increasing number of people awakening to this idea that love is powerful and that the solution to our challenges comes from love and not fear. Our fear-based thinking is limited at best, self-destructive at its worst.

How do you love more? Choose to love yourself first. Choose to have the best, more inspired idea of yourself, forgive everything else, and do the same for others. Choose to see people not as their roles, beliefs, politics, religion, jobs, spouses, friends or children, but as who they really are. They are waiting for love to show them to themselves.

Not clear about this notion of love? Think of the kindest thought you could have for yourself right now. Now even kinder...I know you can do it. That is evidence of self-love. Now, have that kind thought for another person. A thought that a really loving parent would have for their child. More evidence of love and loving. As you choose these loving thoughts more and more, see what happens in the next hour, day, week. See the power of love in your life.

If you get a chance, check out this music video!

7 min - Mar 28, 2007 - A choice for humanity, Love or Fear. What do you choose? www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMOMgQCRAqM