When does Life begin?

Many have asked this question. Does life begin at conception? At the second trimester? When the little heart starts beating? When the brain awakens? With the newborns first breath?

Let's observe: With the union of male and female, the sperm and the egg meet. They join, grow, cells divide , more growth, more change until nine months later a "new life" arrives kicking and screaming into the world. As I observe it, life did not begin. It always was. The egg was alive. The sperm was alive. Life did not begin. Life is a constant. Life always is. What we call life, or the soul are those brief moments when life becomes aware of it self. Our brain is not us. It is living cells that interpret the input it receives. Life is the hum of the universe. "We" are but a brief awareness of our glorious part of it all. So rejoice in your awareness of life. Life grows, changes, enfolds on it self and becomes "self" aware. When we see that everything is alive and living, there is no death.

Life is the radio station. We are the receivers. "Turn on. Tune in". We hear it loud and clear - "We are part of this mind blowing thing called LIFE. - Rejoice!"

The earth is in crisis.

The polar ice caps are melting. Many Chinese cities are running out of drinking water.
The high hormone content of England's rivers are turning male fish into female fish. Famines, floods and "prefect" storms are the news of the day.
Global Warming is the ecological buzz word, with many solutions being presented.
The Green Plan I'm presenting is both simple and personal.
It is not a five year plan, a ten year plan but a Now Plan.
This is how I envision it:

G - Grateful not Greedy

R - Respectful not Resentful
E - Enough not Everything
E - Everyone not Exclusive
N - Now not Never

Grateful not Greedy

When we are grateful everything changes. When we are grateful a bowl of rice becomes a feast. When we are greedy a banquet becomes bitter. When we are grateful for the automobile, the bus, the ox cart or our shoes, the journey becomes joyous. When we are grateful for our relationships we see others for who they really are. When we are truly grateful for what we have we can not be greedy. When each breathe becomes a prayer of thankfulness then things will change. I believe gratefulness is the first step to change.

Respectful not Resentful

When we are respectful everything changes. Respect is the calm embrace that protects and nurtures everything and everyone. Respect for the earths resources makes our footprint not as heavy. Respect in our relationships, whether friends, family and even our enemies will begin the healing the earth needs. Respect can not wage war. Respect is not wasteful. Respect is the world seen through compassionate eyes.

Enough not Everything

When we know we have enough everything changes. If we have the attitude that "we can have it all" we will never have enough. Enough sees beyond ourselves. Enough does not waste but knows "there is enough to go around". Enough knows the consumer is powerful and not global industry. Enough knows that when we are awake and mature we will know what we need and not have to have advertisers tell us what we want. Enough knows the economy will not collapse if we are green but will grow healthier and flourish. Enough is the trust in abundance and not the fear of scarcity.

Everyone not Exclusive

When we see the world through everyone else's eyes everything changes. Everyone is not my country, my possessions or my beliefs. Everyone is not "I am always right" therefore I need enemies to fear. Everyone knows the world is home to one big family. Everyone feels the pain of the parents of a large poor family who know most of their children will die of decease, hunger or war. Everyone knows great pain but also great joy. Everyone has hope. Everyone embraces, listens to and values all things.

Now not Never

When we live now everything changes. Now is enjoying what we have and not grasping for what we don't have. Now is knowing what things are for. Now is being humbly grateful not arrogantly possessive. Now knows that when we have abundance it is to help others and not to build our own kingdom. Now sees everything and everyone as glorious. Now knows how to rejoice. Now is the time for us all to wake up and grow up.

Being Green means waking up to who we are and growing up to be adults who chose to live our own lives not someone else's. The day of the Guru and the Priest is past. The age of Rulers and Kings has long crumbled. The time has come for us to speak and live our conscience and with open hearts gratefully and respectfully nurture each other and the beautiful earth we have been gifted.

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Some added G.R.E.E.N. words

GROW some of your own food to NOURISH your family. If you don't have enough space join a Community GARDEN. Do some RESEARCH. READ some books.Find out where what you consume comes from. Don't rely so heavily on the ENTERTAINMENT Industry. Make your own ENTERTAINMENT. Sing with friends. Join a choir. Learn to play an instrument. ENCOURAGE local talent. ENROLL in a healthy cooking class. EXERCISE by playing sports not just watching. RELAX. Get a massage at a local Massage school. Meditate. Pray. EMBRACE the ones you love more. BE GREEN.

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Copyright March 2007
Can be reprinted in full with credits given.