Music by The Refusers

Thursday, August 31, 2017

In A World Full Of Fear, Be......A Quotation from Doe Zantamata

For more quotations by Doe, please click on the link below:

https://plus.google.com/+DoeZantamata



This will be the last post of the 7th Annual Inspirational August on my blog.  I thought of posting a discourse or one of my poems but rather thought this this quotation sums up what Inspirational August is all about.  I could not have said it better myself.

I thank you all for visiting, sharing posts and leaving comments.  I wish you all the best and a warm welcome again next August if God and I am willing and the creek don't rise.

My kindest & warmest regards,
Mike
31 August 2017

Monday, August 28, 2017

Will You Choose Kindness? - A Poem by M.N. Hopkins


Will you choose kindness?

When meanness is in fashion.

Choices to be made.


© 2017  M.N. Hopkins

Note:   The inspiration for this poem came to me yesterday. The first line popped into my head.  The following two lines,  I set into motion today and published it in the Haiku form (5-7-5) for the first time on my blog today, 28 August 2017 as an entry for the 7th Annual Inspirational August.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Courage Is The Vehicle, Love Is The Direction - A Guest Post by Melisa

Source:

https://www.minds.com/Melisa

I thought that this was a very inspired writing from Melisa.  I asked her if I can share it on my blog as part of Inspirational August 2017 and she agreed,  so here it is.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

A Light in the Window by Carrie Newcomer



Published on March 20, 2014

A Light in the Window appears on A Permeable Life by Carrie Newcomer ©2014 Carrie Newcomer Music (BMI) Videos licensed Shutterstock.com

http://www.carrienewcomer.com
http://www.facebook.com/CarrieNewcomer
https://twitter.com/CarrieNewcomer

Carrie Newcomer's music has always explored the intersection of the spiritual and the daily, the sacred and the ordinary. Over the course of her career she has become a prominent voice for progressive spirituality, social justice and interfaith dialogue. Her ability for sharp observation of the world lead the Dallas Morning News to rave, "She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, 'that is so true.'" She has been described as "a soaring songstress" by Billboard, a "prairie mystic" by the Boston Globe and Rolling Stone has declared that Newcomer "asks all the right questions." Author Barbara Kingsolver wrote, "She's a poet, storyteller, snake-charmer, good neighbor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace."

On April 1, 2014, Available Light Records, distributed by MRI/Sony RED Music, releases a new album of Newcomer's music entitled A Permeable Life. On this album, Newcomer's signature deep voice takes on a quiet conversational tone, close and intimate.

Carrie's new CD is available here: http://www.carrienewcomer.com/shop_mu...




Wednesday, August 16, 2017

AMERIKUA Official Music Video by ALOKA



Published on July 25, 2017

AMERIKUA is a pre-columbian Mayan word for the unified north and south continent of the Americas, "The place of the four winds". This word existed long before Colombus and is calling to be re-seeded into collective consciousness. This song & video is a prayer dedicated to the unification of all tribes; to all who are working hard to protect the environment, indigenous peoples, human rights, sacred sites and mend divisiveness.

There are 1,000 standing rocks in the Americas, and a global movement to re-integrate indigenous wisdom into the world is underway. This is call to action, for unity, peace and harmony amongst all nations. This is a dedication to the prophecies transmitted across many cultures and the healing of the nations taking place in our lifetime, as we bridge the divide between the tone of our skin, the trauma of our lineages and awaken to the tone of our soul frequency as guardians & stewards of the mother earth. You are invited to be a part of these prophecies. We have one home. We are all related. May we walk in harmony.

Water is life.

Protect the Sacred.

For all our relations,
-Aloka

PLEASE SHARE IF YOU CARE

*** Support the UNITY CONCERT to Protect the Black Hills of the Lakota people in South Dakota*

www.alokaheart.com for more details

Los subtítulos en español están habilitados. Presione "cc"

AMERIKUA es una palabra precolombina maya para el continente norte y sur unificado de las Américas, "El lugar de los cuatro vientos". Esta palabra existía mucho antes que Colón y está llamando a ser re-sembrada en la conciencia colectiva. Esta canción y video es una oración dedicada a la unificación de todas las tribus; A todos los que trabajan duro para proteger el medio ambiente, los pueblos indígenas, los derechos humanos, los lugares sagrados y reparar la división.

Hay 1.000 rocas en pie en las Américas, y un movimiento global para reintegrar la sabiduría indígena en el mundo está en marcha. Este es el llamado a la acción, por la unidad, la paz y la armonía entre todas las naciones. Esta es una dedicación a las profecías transmitidas a través de muchas culturas y la curación de las naciones que tienen lugar en nuestra vida, a medida que unimos la división entre el tono de nuestra piel, el trauma de nuestros linajes y despertar al tono de nuestra alma frecuencia como Guardianes y mayordomos de la madre tierra. Ustedes están invitados a ser parte de estas profecías. Tenemos una casa. Todos estamos relacionados. Que caminemos en armonía.

El agua es vida.
Proteger lo sagrado.

Para todas nuestras relaciones,
Aka

POR FAVOR COMPARTE SI USTED CUIDA

*** Apoyo al CONCIERTO UNIDAD para proteger las colinas negras de la gente Lakota en Dakota del Sur *

www.alokaheart.com



Friday, August 11, 2017

Where There Is Love | Playing For Change in Dayton, Ohio USA



Published on June 25, 2013

To celebrate the diverse cultures and talents in the city of Dayton, Ohio, a wide array of musicians, singers and dancers came together to create "Where There Is Love," a music video based on the eclectic globe-hopping imagery and sounds that define Playing For Change. The entire video was shot on-location in Dayton.

This project supports the nationally recognized initiative called "Welcome Dayton: Immigrant-Friendly City," a plan that seeks to bridge communication barriers and cultural differences throughout the city. The varied performers and lyrical message of "Where There Is Love" are a powerful illustration of that plan as well as the goal of Playing For Change -- connecting the world through music.

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Laura Falkner, Eleni Prieto, Laura Rea, Ann Roberts, MB Hopkins & Daryl Gordon, Teri Schoch, Margaret Knapke, Gabriella Pickett, Jean Howat Berry, Doug Merk, Chris Wellbaum, Thom Meyer, Karl Berge, Janet Phillips & Feathers, Michael J. Boyd & The Radical Giraffe, Carillon Park, Five Rivers Metro Parks, Dayton Art Institute, Sunwatch Indian Village and Neon Movies.

Artists include (in order of appearance):
Puzzle of Light (Michael Bashaw, Sandy Bashaw, John Taylor, Erich Reith, Dick Roll); Amber Knicole; Edwin Corporan; Eric Lamboy; Gina Stough; Pourover (Dennis Rotterman, Lee Rotterman & Keith Wimberly); Michael Kotur; Frank Dixon; Leahy-Good (Rick Good & Sharon Leahy); Raymond Roach; Jay Martinez; Burundi Royal Court Drummers; DACA Tai Chi & Dance Group; and Seefari (Tom Carroll)


Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Then Grace Flows Through You - A Poem by M.N. Hopkins

Photo by Frank Stiefel

Share information.

For the betterment of all.

Then Grace flows through you.

©  2017 M.N. Hopkins

Note:  The inspiration for this poem first came to me yesterday.  I have rewritten it 3 times and this is the end result.  It is written in the 5-7-5 Haiku form of poetry.  A style that I enjoy.

I have published this poem for the first time on my blog today, the 9th of August, 2017.

Monday, August 7, 2017

Saturday, August 5, 2017

It Is Your Light - The Wisdom of Rumi



Rumi (Jalāl ad-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī)  was a 13th Century Sufi mystic and poet, from Persia (Rumi was born in modern day Afghanistan and lived for a while in Turkey). Rumi’s poetry expresses his longing for union with the Divine. It is a personal mystic journey he invites us all to join.

Friday, August 4, 2017

Internal Flight. The Full Movie - Stunningly Beautiful Photography and Music by Estas Tonne



Published on July 28, 2017

Audio tracks could be found here:

Russian version:
https://estastonne.com/release/intern...

The starting point of our joint work on the film "Internal Flight" with Paganel-Studio creative team almost coincided in time with the same name musical album release in 2013. Publication of this album became a powerful drive to continue, develop and strengthen the "experience of flight", which always brings some important changes to everybody’s life, by merging the musical theme with both extraordinarily picturesque video-shootings and a heartfelt poetic narration...

In the course of a three year period Paganel Studio production team had been visiting the most incredible, unique and authentic corners of our planet (Nepal, Peru, Antarctic, Bolivia, Brazil and many others), managing to reflect in their fullness the multicultural manifestations of Life on the Earth, as well as tremendous diversity of its landscapes. All the shootings for the film were carefully selected, compiled and laboriously unified into a coherent and completed picture.

This entire visual splendour while slurring with musical theme gives us a mighty impetus to dive into that inner space where boundaries are erased, but the infinite variety of life manifestations are coalesced somewhere deep inside of each of us… There is no longer place in that space for enslaving fears, those deeply-rooted beliefs...dogmas...ideals....standards, superstitions, that made all of us feel divided... it is that space where heart purifies…. opens ....loves…just loves ...and it is that space where a long-awaited meeting with the Self takes place...

This is what the ongoing monologue is about: it tells about the long-lasting search of answers to our inner questions. Once we hear this voice inside, we start our way to ourselves. Sooner or later, each of us has to step on this path at certain point of life.

We created the movie "Internal Flight" in order to bring each spectator to this point, helping to feel, to open, to trust and, at last, to allow ourselves to be ....just be…. After all, what mostly matters is to not only see and hear the Truth, but also to live this Truth inside as individually as collectively….
Blessings to all of us on this path of Life…
Е.Т.

Filmed & Edited: Paganel Studio
http://www.paganel.tv

Audio Mixed & Mastered by Leon SoundPro Studios 
www.soundprostudios.com 

English text voice recording:
Markus Bieder@tonladen Studio (Austria, 2016)

Instrumental Version of "Internal Flight":
Recorded, co-arranged, edited and polished: 
Eino Kolists & Ainārs Majors (Riga, Latvia, 2012) 
Mastering by Jānis Kalve at "Labo Ierakstu Studija"

*****With great thanks to Wassa Paole, Paganel Studio team: Olga Andreeva, Andrey Andreev, Alexandr Zu, as well as to Leon Galperin, Peter Moore, Fiona Tiersen, Zola Dubnikova, Elena Tonne, aunt Inna, Margarita Osepyan, Danielle Leigh, Eino Kolists, Ainārs Majors, Jānis Kalve,Markus Biede,Giedrius Dagys and so many all over the world, visible and invisible!




Thursday, August 3, 2017

The Gaian Dragon I Ching : The Week of Light - A Guest Post by James Clair Lewis



The Gaian Dragon I Ching : The Week of Light

The Gaian Dragon Blog.        1  August 2017

                                          Brilliance 45 The Gaian Dragon I Ching

Happy Lammas


The Gaian Dragon I Ching Calendar





Light the Way with Brilliance


Develop Character. Light complements itself. Reflect Light into the world. Be at Peace. Do not give Trouble power over you. Stay on the Path


Prepare before you Travel. Encourage Success. Have no fear. Be flexible. Care for Friends. 

Generate sustainable Wealth


Let Intuition guide you


The Image


Light up the Earth

Know your own feelings

Understand prevailing attitudes

Illuminate the Sky


The Inside


Use extreme care in the making of plans. The Butterfly looks around. Pursue your Goals earnestly, but remember to follow the Middle Way. Meditate. The Butterfly takes off. The Fool wastes time in depression, and while most people are partying, the Wise prepare for the Future. Get Smart. The Butterfly joins the party. In a time of Peace, social distinctions are relaxed, and people mingle freely. Great Good Fortune. The Butterfly glides around turbulence. If you bend with the situation, trouble will not overwhelm you. Get wise! Persevere on the Path. Work is necessary to attain Peace. Great Good Fortune.


The Outside


Observe Bee Society. Preserve your dignity by realizing that there are certain things you must not joke about. Think! Hard workers are essential for large projects. Think! It is wise not to confront your adversaries with a public scene, unless you have no other choise. Be Sensible! Follow the warnings of your Intuition. Conserve your resources, and wait. Be aware. After struggling with circumstances, those who have Love, will be united. Great Good Fortune. Be a voice for the Bees. Follow the warnings of your Intuition. Conserve your resources, and wait. Be Aware.


The Lines


Top : The Butterfly changes the world. Be a voice for the Bees. Wage war when neccessary, but do not go to extremes. No Blame


5 : The Butterfly plays with friends. Release yourself from mistaken attitudes and beliefs. Good Fortune.


4 : The Butterfly lands on a flower. The Butterfly joins the party. Be Aware : What comes easily, can be lost quickly. Misfortune!


3 : The Butterfly takes off. The Fool wastes time in depression, and while most people are partying, the Wise prepare for the Future. Get Smart.


2 : The Butterfly looks around. Pursue your Goals earnestly, but remember to follow the Middle Way. Meditate.


1 : The Butterfly stretches its wings. Observe Bee Society. A comprehensive Vision is essential, when you have many detailed tasks. Be Aware.

Notes : The Butterfly glides around turbulence.




Light's Circle of Friends
The OutsideThe Inside
WealthStuck
FriendsTrouble
GracePeace
Bite Me!Light
SuccessLight
TravelCharacter

Source:

The Gaian Dragon


Wednesday, August 2, 2017

That Time Has Come For You - A Discourse by M.N. Hopkins

Photo by Ben Rodrigo
A Link To Ben's Photos

One eventually comes to a time of realization that all of this world is folly.  That time has come for you.  Even so, you must still live amongst your fellows without causing them emotional or psychological pain.  Not always an easy task when being constantly confronted by lies and schemes and dishonest, pretentious behaviors.

Look beyond the surface appearances and see to the core of humanity.  Yes, humanity is rotten to the core yet within that core is a seed of great potential and optimism for a brighter future.

Help those whom wish a better way.  Be a shining example of one whom has been to the core of their being and burst open that seed of Light.  A Light that once set ablaze and is set free within your world will enliven others and begin a revival of hope again in an improved human condition.

Yes, humanity is in a sickened state yet not beyond all hope of recovery or redemption.  The more who awaken to their own goodness and innate abilities to heal themselves, the more balance that will appear within your human communities.

No more hatred and we vs. them. No more perversions of the Spirit that are so common and increasing amongst humankind.  Even the animals have been effected and are showing more and more signs of ill will toward each other and toward Mankind.

Cease this concentration on ego needs and power over others and come to the realization that your survival depends and has always been built upon trust in each other and cooperation amongst species.

Feel again a spirit of cooperation which is your natural state of being and share this with all whom will accept it's life giving and love enhancing properties.  Give and take, take and give.  Share the gifts of Spirit with all whom are willing and able to transform from sickness to health.

Once a more healthy outlook is achieved by more within human community then balance will return and fair play will again enter your community structures.

No longer listen to evil council or the words of ego tyrants, rather listen again to the voice of the Divine which  is the only voice that can take human community from it's sickened, corrupted state into a new age of being.  Not a new world order but an ordering of a new age.  A time of humankind again connecting to what is best and most sacred within themselves and using that knowledge for the betterment of all beings in our world.

This sharing is essential for good physical, mental and emotional health.  Spirit takes care of Spirit and Mankind as allowed and Mankind takes care of each other.

Be true to your humanity and express outward into the world what is best and greatest within your human nature.

It is a good time as of now.  Now is the time of benevolent forces waiting upon Mankind to take responsibility for themselves and each other and in a sense, Human(e) Up.

Now is an opportunity to awaken from our nightmare existences into a world of wonder and a joy that vibrates outward from the Earth as it also does from your own being.

Take the hands of each other and walk forward out of the darkness of your current human community structures into a new dawn of existence with hearts as bright as suns that will spread a healing balm upon the Lands.

©  2017 M. N. Hopkins

Note:  I wrote this discourse on 25 July 2017 while in an inspired state of being.  The words flow as a river and I must write quickly to maintain the train of thought.  I later read it and edit spelling and grammatical errors.  I waited to publish it for the first time today on August 2, 2017 as part of my blog's, Inspirational August.  My intention was to write a timely message that will hopefully bring some comfort to the readers if they wish it to be so.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

A Warm Welcome To The 7th Annual Stranger In A Strange Land Blog's Inspirational August 2017

https://mnhopkins.blogspot.se

This annual event on my blog will begin on Tuesday, August 1st. I will devote the entire month to only positive inspirational pictures, writings, poetry and art. I will concentrate on writing some new material of my own during this month also. I will have guest posts also so others can share their inspirations.

A warm welcome to all.


Mike

If you would like to see the history of this annual event, please click on the link provided below:

A History Of Inspirational August