Real Talk!

I've been busy... and in between, in those precious quiet moments, I have been observing.

There is an awful lot going on in the world today and I've observed some patterns, themes- if you will. At times, I muse that life can be a lot like the movie "Groundhog Day". And I know that the human being is programmed, among other things- but pretty intensively, to identify patterns.

The television is full of science, parascience and history, military and mystery, with a smattering of things we can giggle about. As always, there are observable trends and themes.

Conspiracy Theories are somehow becoming mainstream... or at least there are all kinds of people speculating. Politics and religion seem to be being scrutinized. Just when you think that the U.S.A. is being called onto the carpet... you might think that the U.S.A. is making most of the calls...

Global warming, earth changes, economic collapse, brain washing, alien technology, healthcare, policing, goverment, legal wrangling of every description, war, the Mayan Calendar, prophesy, weather conditions.

And there's lotsa talk about the Bilderbergs, World Leaders and corrupt Corporate power... DNA, Knights Templar and Nazis...

I observe: fear is a very powerful energy... and I also observe: sometimes it is used.

I've also observed alliances of people in ardent pursuit of truth and taking personal responsibilty.

In my own life, I've always maintained that I can only do my best, think the best, have positive goals... you know, keep an open mind, be thoughful, make decisions based on my own observations and while the perspective may change as information is observed... my core truth does not change because I simply listen to my soul and it guides me toward being the best I can, doing the best I can and embracing the common "good". For me, this works- in every situation.

When people ask me what I would like (for my birthday, for Christmas, for lunch... whatever) I have always said (and I continue to say "I'll have World Peace, thank you")... because that IS what I will have, if you're asking what you can provide. The way I see it, most other stuff is encompassed in that paradigm or is inconsequential, comparitively.

I keep being told that "there is no such thing as a coincidence".

So how about this... a few weeks ago, while I was reading two very different books and observing their similarities...

(at least how I felt the resonation... while they came at it from wildly opposing sources)

... during that reading, in my mind, they both spoke very clearly to achieving the best possible world.)

and then, one afternoon, my daughter came home from school and she was doing a project on "Global Citizenship"... part of the required curriculum... and she had point form notes of charcateristics that defined a Global Citizen...

I don't think the specific Titles and Authors much matter here... but, I showed her the books and we talked a little about the more specific aspects of each book and then about how they each held messages about being a citizen of The World.

Together, we "surfed" and we talked. The way we always do. Seeking other sources of inspiration and other views and historical references on the topic of Citizenship and the Globe...

And as we chatted and researched, I "cut and pasted" notes into a software program, to keypoint and underline certain items of discussion... some things for us to have to refer to...

Then, I printed that stuff off and held on to it, until my daughter was satisfied that her project was complete- at which time, I disposed of the print out. I did not "save" the notes in my computer file...

Since then, every single time that I open that wordprocessing program, it opens up with those notes displayed... the ones that I didn't save! And regardless of my efforts, I have not been able to make it stop.

When I want to save or write something in that wordprocessing program, I have to delete all those notes about Global Citizenship, first... and if I want to "save" the file, I have to rename it, every time... otherwise the program tries to save it under the first line of those Global Citizenship notes... which is: "dedicated to the design of solutions"

I thought I'd share the notes here... I wish I could quote the sources... but I didn't save those. I hadn't meant to use them anywhere. I had kept them, to be used as inspiration, in those moments... and it's as though these words have decided to stay. The remainder of this blog are those words:

"

dedicated to the design of solutions to international problems based on the fundamental principles of equal human dignity, liberty, democracy, and constitutionally protected basic rights of all.

Citizenship is a series of duties and rights.

Citizenship is a series of duties and rights.

in one of its documents, World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development (no date, p. 2), the BIC defines world citizenship as acceptance of and respect for principles, values, attitudes, and behaviors such as: Accepting all human beings as members of the human family. Considering the earth our home. Feeling both patriotic and international. Accepting unity and diversity. Supporting social justice and economic justice. Supporting cooperative and consultative decision-making.

acceptance of and respect for principles, values, attitudes, and behaviors such as: Accepting all human beings as members of the human family. Considering the earth "our home." Feeling both patriotic and international. Accepting "unity" and "diversity." Supporting social justice and economic justice. Supporting cooperative and consultative decision-making

In one of its documents, World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development (no date, p. 2), the BIC defines "world citizenship" as acceptance of and respect for principles, values, attitudes, and behaviors such as:
1. Accepting all human beings as members of the human family.
2. Considering the earth "our home."
3. Feeling both patriotic and international.
4. Accepting "unity" and "diversity."
5. Supporting social justice and economic justice.
6. Supporting cooperative and consultative decision-making.
7. Achieving gender equality.
8. Striving for racial, ethnic, national, and religious harmony.
9. Working for the "common good."
10. Encouraging human honor and dignity, understanding, friendship, cooperation, trustworthiness, caring, respect, and volunteer service.

Having a good relationship with people all over the world, communicating and getting along with other people, and understanding cultures and societies across borders seems to reflect an "internationalization" and a knowledge/academic world view. The third type of answer, the view of most of the group, was that world citizenship meant cooperating, doing things for others, and volunteering, perhaps reflecting experiences connected with the Hanshin earthquake (Kobe, 1995) and the rise in social consciousness resulting from that disaster.
How a person might become a world citizen consisted of four general categories: volunteering, becoming multinational in outlook, world events, and studying. Being multinational in outlook was vague. It included developing a sense of multinationalism, thinking about the world, hoping for world peace, and having an awareness of the difficulties some people have with a world citizen concept because of religion, history, and tradition. About one-third of the group felt that volunteering and helping others was the way to become a world citizen, mentioning such things as: helping or doing something for another person; volunteering for community service; joining a peace movement or group; planning events for poor or handicapped people; taking part in exchange program activities with foreigners; and having kindness for everybody.

1. Humanity is one and indivisible; each member of the human race is a trust of the whole.
· Raising children to be world citizens.
· The basic concept: To know and respect others.
· Thoughtfulness resulting form fraternal love is useful to raise humanity.
2. A world community whose borders are those of the planet and whose members are all humankind.
· *UNICEF Activities
· Overcoming hypocrisy must be based on global ways of thinking.
· *TV Commercials and Refugees
· Putting ourselves in another person's place is very important; TV commercials have a great effect on various global problems.
· *Aren't Japanese Asians?
· The first step is to give up our prejudice that the Japanese are special.
· *Internationalization in Japan (Same as above)
3. A commitment to a global ethic of justice, equality, caring, altruistic service and responsibility for the well-being of all.
· *Mother Teresa
· A model of love and thoughtfulness for everyone.
4. The future, peace and prosperity of each person is inseparable from that of all humanity.
· *Recycling
· Paying attention to the future of the earth.
· *Jody Williams and ICBL
· All people in the world should spare no effort to solve landmine problems. It is our common problem.
· *Refugee Problems
· Thinking deeply to solve world problems must raise a strong sense of justice in our minds.
5. What unites us is greater and more powerful than what divides us.
· *NGO Activities
· Interest and courage have unbelievable possibilities. We can do anything if we believe we can work things out.
6. The diversity of humanity is a source of richness and beauty.
· *Women becoming world citizens
· Recognizing individual differences is related to respecting others. We can survive if we are considerate of each other.
· *Development and Education
· Helping poor countries and poor people creates a fundamental relationship.
7. The history of humanity as one people is now beginning.
· *Secondary School and Education
· Human beings live to think and speak. Education and knowledge must enrich our lives.
To be a citizen of the world means quite simply to be actively involved, ... "

In a recent blog, I expressed the opinion that it’s a good time buy property in this area…

And the statistics certainly agree.

I’ve been chatting with appraisers and Realtors ® and various folks with economic knowledge much superior to my own… and if you are waiting for prices to come crashing down… you’d better make yourself comfortable. It could be a long wait.

In October, the total # of sales was up 27%; while the dollar value of sales was up 23% over last year. Although year-to-date figures, so far, reflect a 12% decline in the number of sales and a modest 7% increase in dollar value, there are two more months of 2007 to be considered.

In September, the total # of sales was down 16% and the dollar value was up 6%. In August, figures were –17% and +4%, respectively and in July, -18% and about 0%.

The number of properties with “conditional” sales is up; these sales are not recorded in the tally- & the trend, in recent years, has been brisk for sales in November and December.

This market is moving, albeit, there has been an adjustment.

My sources suggest a myriad of factors that may have been responsible for recent market conditions.

Some finger the glut of Realtors ® in the business. Yes, just like the late 80s, the Real Estate market gets “hot” and everyone and their uncle tries hopping on the bandwagon. The Ontario Real Estate Association reports an ever-increasing demand for educational courses that lead to registration as a sales representative.

Some say that it’s these new real estate sales folks who often do well at first, through the support of family and friends and when there are substantial numbers of new recruits their inexperience and zeal can result in an artificial and temporary rise in asking prices.

It’s true, that new real estate representatives, seeking listings, have a level of excitement that may lead to a pie-in-the-sky sense of the marketplace. They may take listings at exorbitantly high prices, simply for the sake of having a listing and until the sales representative matures in their level of skill and understanding, there can be some startling anomalies in the marketplace.

Others suggest that it is the Sellers who inflate the market because the public has a one-sided view of the market and subjectively, most feel that their property is a superior property. In a busy market, Sellers feel that they can push the envelope. I’ve even heard it referred to as “greed”.

Whatever the reason, those close to the industry, especially those in nearby and similar “rural, recreational, retirement” markets, report stable, positive increases in sales and predict this will continue. They are of the opinion that spiking, rapid increases in prices have (for the most part) been adjusted and our market is seeing a more moderate, steady balance.

There are still those quick to point to global social/political & economic forecasts and feel that the strength of our market is attributable to the fact that non-urban environments are the most sought after. They believe there is considerable value in the element of safety and security provided by less crowded, rural areas where Mother Nature is evident and seems abundant.

Certainly, the Haliburton, Bancroft, Barry’s Bay, Combermere and surrounding areas have much to offer and the signs of growth and development are all around us.

Lately I've been reading and thinking, perhaps more than usual, perhaps not. I've been watching documentaries, reviewing global political/economic events and listening to arguments about the general state of affairs of our planet.

I believe we have some really serious issues affecting the planet and no matter how hard we human beings try- we can't replicate Mother Earth. We need to stop depleting the rain forests. We need to stop pouring chemicals into our soil and into our air and into our bodies. We need to stop killing each other.

We are all members of the world community... and as November 11th quickly approaches (the day for Canadians to pause in memory of those who gave of their lives in defending our country while at war), I have been thinking that it is time to re-establish our membership in one family, one community, one cause and to respect the cost in terms of life on this planet and re-define what we need to be protecting.

We need to pro-active. We need to implement change... real change... I don't want to spew again about Tesla, but let's not forget that we are killing hundreds and hundreds of people and polluting our planet over fossil fuel and there are real alternative sources of energy! And... I'm not sure I mean crop fuels... we need to reserve our use of the soil to grow food. We have starving people on the planet. This should stop,too.

I was told that the computer era would reduce our use of paper... and save trees. HUMBUG. We are still cutting our trees at an alarming rate. What about bamboo, hemp or other options- these are quickly growing, easily replenishable resources that can be made into paper...

We need to put an end to homelessness... put an end to torture... put an end to as much of the suffering as is humanly possible... we need to be responsible...

I am putting as much positive energy as I can muster into saving the earth and all of its inhabitants. I vote for love. That's it, make love not war....

Having said all of that... and still, knowing it is insufficient to describe my feelings (words have not been invented that encompass the stirrings in my soul)... I have decided to share some poetry, written by my daughter, Catherine.

The first, she wrote for a school project in 2004 (she was 12 years of age)

For the Unknown Soldier
by Katie Stewart

I don't know your name,
But you are the poppy I pin to my heart,
And with it, my deepest feelings do start.
With courage and strength
You were called away,
So I could live life to the fullest each day.

Facing hardness and danger,
Hunger and cold
You gave your young life,
So I could grow old.
You left behind families
Who gave up their best
In dugouts and trenches,
our futures did rest.

What was it like for you, so far from home?
Where artillery shells blasted
And grenades were thrown?
And you crouched beside
Your comrades who bled
And I now wear poppies
The same colour red.

You don't know my name, but I am
The medal you pinned near your heart.
We have grown up, in worlds so far apart,
But at night we look
at the same star-filled sky,
Saying prayers into heaven
where angels do fly.

Where a star shines for every one
hurt by a war.
And the bravest of soldiers
will suffer no more.
God bless their souls,
May they rest now in peace,
For our promise to remember
will never cease.

***
and this poem, written in 2005 (also as a school assignment, when she was 13 years old)

At the Cenotaph
by Katie Stewart

A bugle sounds the saddest notes
Its familiar wail called "The Last Post".
My heart is heavy, I have reddened eyes
As I think of those who gave their lives.

A tear runs down my chilly cheek.
The silence deafens, I cannot speak.
I think of nurses and soldiers who cried,
Their comrades, children, shipmates who died.

And here we gather to honour and remember
In the 11th hour, on the 11th of November.
The ordinary people, like you and I
Called far from home, they said goodbye.

Some gave their lives, some returned.
Some were injured and some were burned.
They protected our country with dignity
Defending the true north, strong and free.

The veterans' eyes are soft and misted.
They have seen the horror that existed.
Here I stand, in this monumental place
I can hardly imagine the hardships they faced.

They lived through nightmares, so I could have dreams.
They gave me the sunrise, the forest and streams.
And even though we've never met
These are the people I will never forget.

***