Now Is The Time
Bloom Where You Are Planted

Having a vision for our future that differs from our current circumstances can be inspiring and exciting, but it can also keep us from fully committing to our present placement. We may become aware that this is happening when we notice our thoughts about the future distracting us from our participation in the moment. We may find upon searching our hearts that we are waiting for some future time or situation in order to self-actualize. This would be like a flower planted in North Dakota putting off blooming because it would prefer to do so in Illinois.

There are no guarantees in this life, so when we hold back we do so at the risk of never fully blossoming. This present moment always offers us the ground in which we can take root and open our hearts now. What this means is that we live fully, wherever we are, not hesitating because conditions are not perfect, or we might end up moving, or we haven’t found our life partner. This can be scary, because we might feel that we are giving up our cherished dreams if we do not agree to wait for them. But this notion that we have to hold back our life force now in order to find happiness later doesn’t really make sense. What might really be happening is that we are afraid to embrace this moment, and ourselves, just exactly as we are right now. This constitutes a tendency to hold back from fully loving ourselves, as we are, where we are.

We have a habit of presenting life with a set of conditions—ifs and whens that must be fulfilled before we will say yes to the gift of our lives. Now is the time for each of us to bloom where we are planted, overriding our tendency to hold back. Now is the time to say yes, to be brave and commit fully to ourselves, because until we do no one else will. Now is the time to be vulnerable, unfolding delicately yet fully into the space in which we find ourselves.

Please do go visit!!

http://zaadz.myminicity.com/


It's adorable!

Resurrected1 had a whole bunch of Quizzes in one blog!!!  I love quizzes!!! so I participated in the fun:



You are a curious person, always in a state of awareness.
Connected to all things spiritual, you are very connected to your soul.
You are wise and bright: able to reason and be reasonable.
Occasionally, you get quite depressed and have dark feelings.

You have great vision and can be very insightful.
In fact, you are often profound in a way that surprises yourself.
Visionary souls like you can be the best type of friend.
You are intuitive, understanding, sympathetic, and a good healer.

Souls you are most compatible with: Old Soul and Peacemaker Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

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Your purpose in life is to use your power for good.

Of all the life paths, yours has the most innate power.
Your power lies in your vision, and you must recruit others to help you in this vision.
You are able to be a great idealist, but you still have the practicality to get things done.

In love, you tend to be a big romantic -  but you also tend to keep your distance.

You have a lot of potential, and it's sometimes hard to live up to.
Sometimes you just feel like slipping into obscurity and doing nothing.
You tend to be prone to dramatic emotions, until you step back and look at things honestly.

What Is Your Life Path Number?

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You see many things through the eyes of a child.
Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded.
You cherish all of the details in life.
Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

How Is Your Inner Child?

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"We're going to dance
And have some fun"

For you, life should be one huge party...
And even though it's not, you tend to dance your troubles away!

What's Your Theme Song?

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Too much fun!!!

The last one.... perpelxing, but .... okay... I guess I do like to dance, I just haven't in such a long time! :)

Thanks again to Resurrected1 for blogging about these... they are a fun insert into any day!!!

Don't forget - the upcoming Boulder Colorado Zaangha!!  If you are in the area, it would be great to see you there!!!  I've already got an exciting response to this event in emails ... so if you are able to come -- please do email me and let me know, if you haven't already (and yes, that means my co-workers, too)!!!

Zaangha Hostess:  Kelly Cookson
Email:  kelly@zaadz.com

When: Saturday, January 12th, 2008
Where:  Folsom Street Coffee in Boulder, CO

Why:  To meet an amazing group of people who are in your very own neighborhood!!!  Let's find out what we're all doing to "Be the Change!"


ps... I've even got guests flying in from Dallas, TX for this event!!!

Abandonment ... for most of my life I have been well-subjected to this life lesson.  And for most of my life I have not fully understood the depth of what I am supposed to learn from it.  I have been so stuck at that stage of a child who vaguely remembers both parents *leaving* ... and in some way, all parental (guardians) leaving ... even if just in the mental/emotional ways. 

This has colored my life existence - and I am perplexed and frustrated, at times, how it plays out in this stage of my life through my connections with friends, my potential romantic interests, my job ... my life is surrounded by the constant thought that none of this is permanent... anyone and anything can abandon me... or so it appears.

This morning I had a profound burst of energy, like an atomic bomb kind of burst.  Abandonment is the fear that everything "leaves me" and that I am essentially alone in all of this journey.  Abandonment is the action that is manifested from the belief in the fear of the unknown of what it means to be alone.  But I am never alone... within me is everything and everyone that I have ever loved and will love. 

And it is through the same attraction of energy (changing my focus from the belief in the fear to the belief in the Love) that I am now discovering that I have the power to never manifest situations of abandonment again in my life... but rather, I can manifest what I desire in my life.... close relationships, long-lasting friendships, romantic interests that are there for the complimentary reasons - not as a need for someone, ... and, quite importantly, healing of past relationships.  All of these things can be without the limiting expectations that I've previously set.

I am at a very empowering stage in my life.  Love is the dominant force - the primary energy that drives everything that I am - right here right now.  I choose to focus on Love and when I do this, fear subsides ... that childhood memory of Abandonment is easier to understand. 

By seeing my childhood (and further life experiences that most would call "negative") as ways to negate what I am at my Truest, Highest Self ... it now makes sense why I had to experience what I've held onto as "my story" ... and now I must do the most incredibly challenging thing in my life to do .... I have to abandon "my story" .... let go of it and move forward into new opportunities of growth and service to others ... I can not very well open my arms to new experiences if they are full of past pains to which I choose to grasp so tightly.

I am coming to a place of Peace about my issue with Abandonment ... people leaving, or passing *me* off to another responsible party (and yes, this has played out in my work environments throughout my career, too) ... this is the Truth of Impermanence.  Rather than focus on the negative and give life to that expression - Abandonment - I am choosing to see the Light in my life and recognize the beauty of Impermanence.

I live in a temporal physical existence ... change occurs ... often.  It is a natural Law!  And part of that change is the impermanence of the roles that people play in our lives.  It is the attachment to those roles and expectations that we place on others that grounds and gives life to the fear that then creates the perspective of "abandonment" ... Fear is not the Truth.

Even now in writing this I still feel the pangs of "what if" -- what happens now that I've let go of "my story"  ... can I truly interact with people on all levels without expectations, without validations, without wanting or needing something from it?  I've lived so long WITH that bad habit ... can one let go, "cold turkey" of such an addicting habit?

YES.  I am doing it.  I am consciously choosing to make my life about abundance as my sustenance and not about lack.  One can not nourish themselves with "lack" ... but abudance is rich with nutrients on so many levels.

So, my friends ... I announce this to you... very near to my own personal new year (that's when I prefer to set my new intentions)... and I am sharing this with you with the intent that by opening up and being in this raw format and announcing what I intend to manifest, that by the very law of attraction -- you all, as my witnesses, will be an active part of that manifestation by visualizing me *being* this change.  

So when you read this, please don't feel sorry for me... that is not the purpose.... but rather, ignite the energy that you feel within yourself to empower me.  And if this resonates with you to inspire you to work through the same issue or something similar... then, wonderful, Let's DO It!!!

If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again; it was probably worth it.

If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.

It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.

Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.

Never mess up an apology with an excuse.


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Sharing a small clip of my favorites from a list I saw today.  :)  {{All Smiles}}

So, I've been reading up on a newly developed site, and one post in particular has totally hit home for me... so much so that I wish to share a snipit of it here:

I’d love to help you, and I’ll try. Ultimately though, you must accept that all self-improvement must be taken on with full consciousness by the self. I’m afraid that we simply won’t get out of bed until we decide to do it ourselves! You are responsible, and no one else is coming to save you. In the end, it may be you, alone with yourself. It is a possibility, and humanity is thwarted if it develops myths in order to flee from this potential oblivion.

Unfortunately there are no answers out there for the self-seeking, self-actualizing person. You will come to know this, one way or the other, so I will be quite honest about it in my writing. The way can be shown, but you will be – must be — utterly alone in walking it. The alienation, the loneliness, the elitism, must all be confronted.

You will decipher the esoteric propaganda developed by the very gurus who seemed so powerful and mastered… you will endure the betrayal of close friends and some times it will seem that in all of the world, there is no one else who seems to ‘get it’. We all come to this test of our ‘faith’, of our ‘resolve’. It will come to the most frightening part: you will be forced by circumstances to make a decision, and asked to accept that you may just be completely alone, for the rest of your days. That everything you ever say, until the day you die, will be construed as babble, or taken out of context, or misinterpreted.

READ MORE HERE (and do explore the site as it is RICH with content that will make you think!!!):

[Solitude and the Myth of Self-Improvement]

Just a quick note to anyone in the Boulder County area ... the house that I live in has one room opening for rent.  If you are interested / in need of a place to stay ... please contact me and I will give you more specific details on the room... and we'll go from there!

Quick Stats:

Two-story "farm" house out on 10 acres of land in rural Lafayette
7 bedroom house 4.5 bath (availble room shares a bath w/one other person)
huge fireplace (currently in transition)
yoga/meditation room
wireless internet
washer/dryer in house
community-minded household


email me directly: kelly@zaadz.com if interested.


THIS ROOM HAS BEEN RENTED!  (That was quick!)

Saturday's gathering was a lovely opportunity to chat and connect!  We had only one minor glitch:  When I arrived, the section that I had requested to reserve was not reserved - the owner had forgotten to move that note over to his new calendar... so we weren't even on the radar of the people working that day... a phone call and a couple of requests later, we had two small tables with which to make it work.  And we most certainly did!

In attendance throughout the 3.5 hour gathering were the following lovely people:

Myself, of course. :)
Jackson
Aimee & Ryan (of FallingFruit.tv!)
Mark
Jake  UPDATE:  Jake took PICTURES!!!  Check them out!!! 
Gwen
Matthew
Siona
Vince (also of FallingFruit.tv!) & Emily
Todd (and his lovely guest)
Kelly
Joseph (who has a visionboard workshop coming up on the 19th!!)
Tajana & Almir
Manny & Blue
David
NMDave

as well as many who had noted they would be there "in Spirit" ... :)

It was lovely to see that even with the small challenge of space that people did gather in smaller groups and talked amongst themselves... mixing and mingling to get a flavor of the whole group!  It finally boiled down to a small group and we were able to wrap up our presence at Folsom Street Coffee nearing 4pm and head out for our next adventure!

I definitely enjoyed the connections that I had made with some new people... and look forward to expanding this beautiful gathering idea towards bigger and bigger events!  I really like the idea of bringing the virtual community closer together with these kinds of off-line gatherings!  My thoughts on this topic are headed towards making a regular event of it .... maybe every other month at first ... and then moving up to once a month if the community desires to do so.  Please share your thoughts on this with us here as well!

I know a few people remembered to bring there cameras to capture the moments... if you have them posted -- please do share the link in the comments section so that we all can enjoy them!! :) 

Thank you so much for all who attended .... you made the event all the more beneficial and inspiring!!!  I look forward to seeing you all again very soon!

I love this community ... I mean, it's like a plethora of AMAZING people ... and in that mix I am finding the most incredible art, music, etc ... and this is one that I really wanted to share.

So, I see the profile and think, "Wow, 'ambient piano' ... I am curious what that sounds like."  And with that curiosity... I go to the link on his profile page (Joffry Arthur).  Words can not explain the connection to the beautiful samples that he shares ... I was so taken by the music that I immediately added him as a friend and just as quickly went to his site to purchase his music ... I even went a step futher to request a SIGNED CD from him!! :)  This music has become my evening relaxation music that soothes away the rough edges that a long hard day has created.  I can close my eyes and soar into a realm that is blissful and magical.  Listen to samples of his piano music here.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have found this member of the community... and I *highly* recommend that you go explore.... if you love piano music... you will WANT to buy his music!  A composer / piano player that truly and deeply connects to Spirit in his compositions and performance!

Here's how it will happen!  (this or something better, for the divine highest life purpose of all those I encounter and deal with in this year!)

** I have produced a set of my own Divination Cards that will inspire others to connect with the Source/Divine/God regularly!

** I am in a position that allows me to fully express my creative nature and bring together some of the most inspiring people, projects, events that will change the world!

** I am loved deeply and authentically for who I am.

** I am experiencing phenomenal breakthroughs on healing for my own spiritual journey and share that with others so that they, too, may heal and grow!

** I have established a regular community gathering that encourages and empowers people to joyfully share what they are most passionate about with their own personal communities - and share it worldwide!

** I have created a series of workshops that help bring new levels of awareness to people through their own breath and positive affirmations.

** I manage to create the most positive social connection with someone that I deeply admire and wish to share GAIA Community with. (OH, you will HAVE to stay tuned for this one!!!)  {giggles}  I am DREAMING without limits and will do whatever I can to make this happen!!

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So there is my 2008 - and beyond.  I am making it happen this year ... I am reaching out and making not only my own personal dreams come true - but hoping to expand that energy and be able to help make others' dreams a potential reality as well. 

I vow to live to my highest potential, in 100% authenticity, integrity and impeccability - loving myself fully at all times - to make this year phenomenal!  And so it will be!!!

Check out the ZAADZ VISIONARY MUSIC GROUP'S 1st BENEFIT CD on Om Stream


Featuring our very own Zaadzsters:

Raymond Powers ~ Sunrise Mandala
Caroline Waters ~ Deep Blue Sea
Rob Costlow & All Meadow ~ Respect
Ric Hordinski ~ Middle Way
Michael Garfield ~ Tin Heart
Jaik Miller Band ~ There's A Whole World On Fire
Phil Castillo ~ Legacy
Kings of Jupiter ~ Cole
Chaparral Andrew Hodges ~ The Chessboard of Gwenddolau
Willow Pearson ~ One Taste
Carl Jacobson feat. Daniel Abreu ~ Zero Hour
Cari Cole ~ Heaven
David Serotkin ~ Into the Night Sky
Sean Clarke ~ All Paths Lead You Home
Akhentek ~ Piksee





I know I've posted about this before... but I want to list it in my new "GEMS" entries .... So ... Go say hello and share gratitude to the fabulous musicians who have contributed their brilliant music to this wonderful compilation!  (oh, you can click on the image to get through to purchase the compliation)

You've asked for more photos and images of the team members that make this fabulous community run on a daily basis (and work out all those bugs!).  So, after roaming around and pestering the team for photos.... and having a lot of fun in the process, too.... I give you:

Gaia Community Offices

We'll get more photos as time goes on... and keep you all up-to-date with us!  This is truly a great company to work for, and a stunning environment in which to work!

I've had a vision in mind for a while:

  MY DREAM PROJECT


it's a dream stage still ... easy for me to imagine how it will look, but *where* and *when* are still pending manifestation.


:)

My dear community .... I am coming to you again with a request to gather energetically around my sister, Chey, her daughter, Faith (13), and her son, James (19) .... Please send them an extraordinary amount of Loving, Healing, and Positive energy to get through this current situation.

There have been issues over the past several years of abuse by her current husband... and tonight, things went too far ... he was extremely drunk, unhappy with their relationship issues... and started physically assaulting Chey & Faith.   James stepped in trying to prevent him from doing anything further and hit him .... the struggle ended up causing injuries to everyone.... and the police and ambulance were called.  Unfortunately, James was taken into the police station for the injury that [the husband] incurred due to their struggles.  Chey has injuries that she is currently having checked out at the hospital and Faith will be examined due to how he picked her up by the neck and threw her down.  Both of them are experiencing back and neck pains as well as other injuries.

Please focus energy around them and help me visualize a more peaceful outcome tomorrow as they appear at the courthouse to obtain a protection order.  Please also focus a great deal of positive energy around James as he takes the responsibility at the police station for his actions.

Right now I am a bit unnerved as I sit here 8 hours away feeling that I should be there with them through this... So I sit and focus my own energy towards them and pray for Divine Intervention.... and am asking for additional support from my community of friends.