The ‘moment’ of inspiration came while on the beautiful, extensive and clean beach of Grand Bend, Ontario, one of my favourite rejuvenation destinations. It also comes from some of my experiences of wilderness trekking inclusive of Arches and Canyonland National Parks in the U. S. and the many miles logged on the incredible Bruce Trail and the Niagra Escarpment. Many of these areas share the commonalities of having much limestone, shale and or “sandstone”, and have been “shaped by the elements of nature”, wind and rain.

The idea on the beach came after years of spending time revisiting this beach and engaging in ‘Beach’ tai chi, Yoga in the sand, and the great workouts of climbing sand dunes or ‘beach biking’ ( the additional workout challenge as the sand ‘yields’ it also has “give” to protect from falling over). I have often shared with others the value of visualization of ‘feeling connected to the earth, as if all the grains of sand that support you on the beach are connected to one another, extending that connection to the surf, the horizon of the water is connecting to the sky,…all is connected,…all is one.

Further, building on the idea of the sand as yielding, even though it is connected can, through forces of nature, become hardened to a solidified state. So very many life experiences over years of time, can harden us and sometimes appear as if to solidify a destiny for us. There is an analogy here, as other forces of nature such as the water and wind have carved out the Canyons, the Arches, or the cliffs and/or waterfalls. Remnants of beauty, and connected in so many ways to all the elements of the immediate environment. There is a past from which all things come, and a future which can be different with the changing seasons or climate change or years of “weathering”.

We have the capacity to “carve out” a different destiny is we so desire, remain motivated and acquire the tools in which to create a masterpiece, a work of art, or just a heap of fragmented rumble, if we so chose. It is “intentional living” or “Transformative Living” as I refer to it, that has the tools of empowerment for the individual to really create a life that is inspiring or of “legacy” potential.

What is provide here, is an opportunity for may to expand on these concepts and insights. We believe it to be a multi-step process to empowerment, it doesn’t just happen, with a book of typical “life coaching”. It begins with “enlightenment” which is beyond typical approaches to education, it requires continuous critical appraisal of all “truth”, “reality” or “knowledge”. Knowledge is power, but only if it has first, been channeled through, the process of “emancipation”. We all long for true freedom, liberty, and many need the justice, as in Social Justice, to be more than just a buzzword of lip service to a disadvantaged group or individual. Once true emancipation is realized than that new knowledge, can be empowering. Empowerment comes with a price and a responsibility. We are advocates of personal empowerment, yes, but feel one of the key transitions that must occur on this entire planet, is public accountability and social responsibility as applicable for individuals, businesses, professionals, and corporations. Many work from a consumerist paradigm, or an “enterprise” system and this needs to evolve past individualism . Global responsibility for all, yes, while acting “nationally” and locally, will have the greatest impact over time. We will share further, a vision of a Transfromative Living Community, and the principles of community development online, and “communitarianism”.

We invite you to visit often for new postings to add your comments or your own blog, you are invited to full participation in your new community, one that values and promotes Wholeness, Healing, Health and Well-being.

BE well,

Dave