DREAMS AND OPPORTUNITY

Only as high as I reach can I grow,
Only as far as I seek can I go,
Only as deep as I look can I see,
Only as much as I dream can I be."

Karen Ravn"

In April this year, I never dreamed that I would be running 10km races. Instead I was focussing on the symptoms of my body not being able to do what it use to do. I was immersed in the past and allowing all that knowledge to dictate who I was.

Whilst it is important to reflect and look back on our growth, our successes, our failures and our life's walk, it is equally important to use this knowledge and to focus it in some kind of direction. Without a vision of some kind of dream, we tend to wallow in the past and focus on what "is", and not what "could be!" So how did this change for me?? What was the catalyst and how did the change happen?

Well, by joining Run/Walk for life, I was introduced into the realm of possibility. My first session there gave me access to the knowedge that it was indeed possible for my body to walk systematically and purposefully for 5 minutes. Whilst this is small, it was the start. Indeed, most people can do this! After I had affirmed this twice, I was shown that my body could indeed accomplish 7 and a half minutes. Every third session, the possibility of a further two and a half minutes emerged and was accomplished. Those small steps of affirmation have led me to where I am today - a full 10km in 76 minutes. I am marvelled and amazed!

I have always held the view that "SOLID FOUNDATIONS MAKE STEADFAST BUILDINGS!" but have now come to realise that "EVERY SMALL BRICK COUNTS!". Once a brick has been laid firmly and cemented in place, it is very hard to remove. This is such a true analogy for life in general.

So today, I celebrate my third 10km race. These accomplishments I regard as the bricks of further dreams and opportunity. They are special and cherished achievements and rightly so. I would like to ask; What are your special bricks? What possibilities do they represent? They are waiting to be solidly placed into the plan for your dreams. Go for it! Take courage and embrace the opportunity which presents itself. I wish you the best. CAM

"People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains,
at the huge waves of the seas,
at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean,
at the circular motion of the stars,
and yet they pass by themselves without wondering."

St. Augustine, 354 430

INSTINCTIVE ME

What makes me, ME and what makes you, YOU?

The debate in psychological circles continues to rage on; what is instinctive behaviour and what is learned behaviour? How much of our personalities are genetic and how much is learned? It seems that most modern psychologists hold the view that much of our behaviour is learned; that we have been moulded from childhood into the characters which we are. Although I share this view, I also believe that the 'instinct' in us should not be discounted.

We know, for example, that there are certain emotions which are universal and observable in the facial expressions of all human beings across the world - such as anger, happiness, fear, surprise, sadness etc etc. - but how much of our instinctive behaviour is unique to ourselves as individuals? I would like to suggest that there are indeed some uniquely individualised INSTINCTIVE behaviours which are not common to all individuals. Whilst my view is not backed up by research, I continue to experience profoundness of this view on a daily basis.

In the very early hours of this morning we had our first hint of a rainstorm. Although there was quite a bit of wind, a solid soaking did not materialise. The wind and the rain brought a visitor to my bedroom. As I opened my eyes to the dawn, a tiny movement on my carpet caught my eye. A fledgling dove had found its way through my open window and had sought refuge (it seems) in the folds of my bedroom curtain. Even the dogs who share our room hadn't noticed. It was then that my own instinct gripped me - the ever pervailing compassion for people and all creatures in distress.

I gathered up the little bird in the palms of my hands and whilst still in my pyjamas padded barefoot down the passage, onto the patio and into the garden. I deposited the frightened litte creature close to a small shrub, knowing that if its mother was around, she would surely find it. I was delighted to see that within a short while the little bird embraced its own spirit, stretched its wings and flew up onto the wall.

My own instinct of releaving a creature in distress speaks so loudly to me. Indeed I believe it to be part of my soul. I remember, as a small child, sitting for hours in quiet sanctitude on our farm, just taking in God's creation and knowing how intricately involved I was in it. This kind of feeling/emotion cannot be learned. I believe it to be purposefully created in me and my experience of it - again unique to me! Its essence is raw, pure and and links directly (I believe) into my own creation.

The little dove this morning allowed me again to receive this peaceful message, "Embrace who you are, understand and listen to the instinct of your soul and honour it!" So, I would encourage you, too, to take some time aside today and ponder what it is that makes you, YOU. You are unique and indeed God's perfectly created creature. Gather your own spirit and spread your own wings to even greater heights!