My Dreams and Visions for Our Planet

• I envision a world where "organic" (including organic chocolate) is more valued than "designer."
• I envision a world where age is honored and respected, wisdom is valued, and the terms "crone" and "elder" are claimed with pride.
• I envision a world where the Native American prayer, "Let nothing be done to harm the children," is in everyone's consciousness.
• I envision a world where communities share their abundance, strengths and support within, eliminating poverty, deprivation, and loneliness.
 
• I envision a world with acceptance of all paths, orientations, personal beliefs, races and religions; where dreaming is encouraged and visions are shared.

Would You Like To Step Outside Your Box?

Pam Babbitt, S.I.

Everyone has a box - a container that constricts, restricts, imposes, labels, self-criticizes, magnifies fear, and produces anxiety. Boxes come in all shapes, sizes and forms. There are sturdy wooden crates, toolboxes, as well as decorative hat boxes. Some may be padlocked or lined with Kevlar to protect from painful invasion, and there are also caskets, representing the death of dreams and fulfillment.

What does your box look like? Close your eyes and allow an image to ap­pear. Envision the size, shape, color, material, and all the unique details. Now draw an image of your box, be­ing as creative and exact as you like. Better yet, find an actual box that you can remodel and decorate as you like.

Now ponder the 'prison' of your box. What is hiding and lurking in there that shackles you? Is it self-criti­cism? Negative messages from par­ents or teachers? Focus on failure? Fear of other's judgment? Your be­lief that you are not deserving or entitled?

In what specific ways do those shackles hold you back from self-fulfillment, and the experience of joy, peace and pleasure? Would you like to join a bike club? Or find a partner? Take dance lessons? Ask for a raise? Connect with your inner Goddess? Learn to flirt? Would you like gain sexual self-confidence through intimacy coaching or tantric guidance?

Now here's Key No. 1 - The Universe does not care about your box. It simply doesn't like boxes and refuses to acknowledge them. The Universe cares about you being all that you can be. Acknowledging boxes would be counter­productive. Have you noticed that the Universe continually offers you situations that nudge you toward your greatness? Proof enough.

And here's Key No. 2 - Our limitations do not hold us. We choose to hold onto our limitations. You are the sole owner of your box. You may rip off the padlock, punch holes in it, or stomp it to shreds any time you wish. Or you may create doorways to gradually allow an increasing flow of possibilities.

Consider the doorway plan -

1. Engage support. Find a mentor, coach, or counselor to co-create an escape plan (from your box). An old friend who agrees with you on most everything is not a good choice.

2. Create the plan TOGETHER. This is your box and your personal escape plan. Your input is essential and it will strengthen your commitment.

3. Move forward using a series of baby steps, rather than a sprinting pace which may cause depletion and collapse. Sprinting also restricts you from recognizing and celebrating each of your accomplishments, or from pausing to tweak your plan when needed.

4. Use your awareness and intuition every step of the way to help support safety and growth.

5. Celebrate your effort, rather than the outcome. You do not have the power to control all people or all situations; you do have the power to control yourself.