Nancy said: First, I have to laugh at your “published versus not-yet-published book that is NOT about birds” comment … information traveling along the highway of communication can certainly pick up a little extra color and flair, to be sure. One thing that is safe to say is NOT fuzzy or muddled is that there will be plenty of people ready to own a copy of your book, Drop the Bags and No One Will Get Hurt: A Practical Guide to Abundant Living when it does get published and becomes available for purchase. Add my name to that already-long list.
Also, thank you to Kathy for providing the link (in the comments section on Laurie's blog entry The Ripple Effect - Boomerang Style so that I could find my way to this features group discussion. Always nice to be invited to a tea party.
Laurie, you were also the first person to welcome me to the gaia community. The invitation alone was much appreciated, but that you did it in such a generous and sincere way really caught my attention. You made it personal and believable, and I could hear your smile in every word. I was feeling a bit awkward and unsure, and your kind words held the promise of an environment that not only welcomed exploration, but actually encouraged pushing the boundaries.
In true “ripple effect” nature, it also prompted me to discard my own inhibitions and to reach out and be the first person to welcome others to the Gaia Community, (or to be the first person to comment on one of their blog entries). Even in my comments I tried to follow your lead, by being sincere and personal, and also extending the hand of friendship and encouragement. Not surprisingly, the “boomerang effect” blossomed, in that the very act of me reaching out to others had the immediate effect of expanding my own circle of friends within the Gaia Community.
This is only one of the ways in which you've already impacted my growth in a short amount of time. Whether in the area of writing, expression, growth, exploration, or making intentional choices, your voice has become a welcome visitor in my head. You truly are an inspiration and a model of what it means to live a life with intention, and I am grateful that our paths (intentionally) crossed within the Gaia Community. Thank you for sharing your spirit. Thank you for adding your color to the beautiful Gaia Community Garden.
Laurie said: Nancy - With tears streaming down my smiling cheeks I say thank you. And thank you, again. It has been my distinct pleasure to watch the buds in the Garden of You unfold and blossom. The colors that have burst forth are magnificent. My Gaia friend Sandi (a Master Gardner) would be oh-so-proud! I do my 'distance work' each night before I go to sleep and you are one of the many Gaia friends that I hold light for. Thank you, my friend, for shining brightly!
Joyce said: Someone asked you if you were a bird which one you would like to be. You replied you wanted to be a Kestrel. I said Yippie! I am from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean where the Kestrel is endemic. Thanks for sharing your pearls of wisdom with us Laurie.
Laurie said: Joyce - You have provided me with another bit of knowledge today. Kestrels are endemic to the Island of Mauritius. And since you live there, you too must be special, indeed! I have just sent you an invitation of friendship. I am pleased to be among the first to welcome you to the Gaia Community. You have found your way to one of my very favorite groups within this wonderful community of environmentally and spiritually conscious people. Jump right in and make yourself at home. On behalf of all of us I am pleased to say - Welcome Friend!
Lee said: Hi Laurie ~ what a warm and wonderful feature… good works from all. The gossip game is a lot like viral marketing & a good idea. I loved your blog on the bubble of water on the leaf. The day Sandi wrote on the daily Q&R about Simplicity inspiring me to blog a Q&R Siona creates for us; and now I find your simple solutions on living & setting examples to be eco & value minded – trailblazing for others. When you invited me to be a friend based on my Q&R, I felt that interconnectedness we share on Gaia and that is very special.
John said: I love that Laurie usually says, “Listen with your heart.” To me this means feel your way with the experience of love. Laurie, you have really touched me since the beginning of our friendship here on GAIA, enough so that I would join this POD just for this comment opportunity. Your mere presence is enough to calm many storms within me. You have stilled my waters many times with just the peaceful vissage of you in the photo of yourself. What a beautiful being you are! I'm grateful for your life and your journey with us here.
Oh, and great introduction Kathy. You are a great promoter of all that is loving and beautiful. I will listen today WITH MY HEART! Wouldn't it be great if we all became more heart centered.
Laurie said: John, thank you so much for becoming a member of this group so that you could leave your heart-felt, and heart-accepted message. Whether I am at the end of a paper letter or email correspondence my closing is always, Listen with your heart.It is my perspective that the heart is the intersection of thinking (logic) and feeling (emotion). When these two powerful aspects of self are healthy and used in conjunction with each other, we operate from a place of wisdom -- the heart. This brings clarity in decision-making, removes drudgery and adds exponentially to the abundance factor! John, thank you for listening with your heart. And you are spot-on about Kathy - she is f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!
Jeannie said: "Whatever you are not changing you are choosing.” A quote from Laurie that immediately began to empower me the moment I read it. The Love and nurturing I recieve fom Laurie's words is pure refreshment to my be~ing. Her offering is poised with simple perfection ~ beauty of Life! She represents the the sisterhood I've always dreamed of and now recieve.
Laurie said: Jeannie, my beautiful friend who looks like her son's sister instead of his mother … Thank you for stopping by and jump-starting my day.
Barbara said: Anything featuring you is going to be a peaceful (albeit thought-provoking) experience. Look at all the wonderfulness you have attracted to you.
Jeff said: Laurie and friends, I just sat here and wrote my thoughts and what is coming for me with this conversation. When I went to add a photo -- because Kathy so lovingly ask me to post one here -- the verbiage was lost. I wish to thank everyone for co-creating some of the most beautiful energy I have experienced on Gaia! I will get back to what I wrote before it was lost … as for photos, you can view them by following this LINK.
Laurie said: Jeff, Your photography is outstanding. It speaks directly to the heart. One of my favorite pieces of yours (although it's hard to decide) is Flower Shop Window. To me, the angle and reflection are other-worldly. It hints at the ability to pass between space and time. It draws you in for closer examination … like looking at memories. What we don't know is … are they memories from the past, or have they not happened yet? Thank you for touching the lives of others with your gift.
Laurie said: Barbara, good morning and thank you for stopping by. “Peaceful” you say? When I read that to my husband, Len, he laughed. He says, Laurie has two speeds:
1 - Flank 3 (as fast as it goes) 2 - All stop (sound asleep)
Kathy said: Thanks for sharing between clients Laurie! You are so lucky to create working with your husband. What an ideal scene! This is great to read friends… I am in awe when I visit this thread to post. I feel this sense of loyalty and feel the dream of us being together. I am posting answers that Laurie sent to me to help our networking on Gaia be the best. Add your suggestions too.
What do you most dislike about Gaia / wish would change? How are you helping to change that? Laurie said: There are times when I am invited to visit a group to “throw in my two-cents worth” on a topic. In order to do that, I actually have to become a member of the group. Like most people, my time is limited. As such, I try to limit the number of groups that I make a commitment to because I don’t want to become a member of a group where I can’t spend quality time and make quality contributions. I have messaged in the suggestion of a one or two time interactive “visit” opportunity.
From my point of view too Laurie, I agree that you bring to Gaia our original intention of how it is when we joined and I feel so much closer and safe with all of you from how you make it safe for us to just communicate. Thanks!
Barbara said: In person, I imagine that you are in various speeds of zzzzooooommmm but that is the gift of the written word … I can read it as quickly or as slowly as I choose and take as much time as I need to mentally digest your message.
R George Merrill said: Last week Laurie posted that feeling free is a state of mind but geographically speaking she feels most free among trees. From what I know of Laurie, tree's are a wonderful metaphor for who she is. Trees provide so much spiritually to the world. Laurie you give so much. This one is for you and the trees.
When the wind speaks of light When the wind speaks of love
The angels sing of their strength The angels sing of their peace
These wise ones of ages These wise ones of time
Nourished from the gift above Nourished from the gift below
These guardians of light These guardians of love
Laurie said: George, with open arms I accept and thank you for this lovely gift. I listened with my heart to what you wrote. I am humbled.
Meenakshi said: Laurie, I'm getting to see each visitor to your thread in an even warmer light; and I thank you and Kathy and all for doing this. This is exactly what these features are for; in a way they become a feature of all visitors; the world of Gaia through Laurie's energy! Your message of heart is exactly what is needed for our time. As my mentor used to say: Think with your heart, feel with your mind.” A way to raising the vibration as you do so effortlessly. I really loved that poem about trees, George. Even though you haven't used the word, you have described the celestial tree!
Jeff said: What I wished to say earlier today was how wondrously drawn to this conversation, more so than any other that I have taken part in. For throughout the day yesterday and this morning I read every one of the posts here. I love how the vibration of this pod/group/community as been gently mounting, enfolding each and everyone of us. What I wish to ask about is your practice. I was so thrilled to know that the map is there to shine light on my own vision of weaving the science of mind, with the healing of the soul and spirit. For the past two years and longer I have been seeking my BA in Psychology. In the past year I have had the vision of weaving the energy of Spirit through Shamanism, photography, the practice of Reiki and psychology in to a nice abundant practice.
Yet at the moment it is just a vision. One that I see in the near future, but unsure how to manifest it to evolve. Maybe you could share with us how your practice came about. Why did you chose this Holistic path? What where your hardships or roadblock if any? Or did you see the path clearly and followed it to manifestation?
Under Construction Pardon our dust as we are still pulling over pieces from the full on-line Gaia Community interview. Check back soon for more highlights.
