IS THERE REALLY ANOTHER WAY?

What are you taking notice of today?  Are you waiting to see the next Hollywood blockbuster movie, are you sucked in to the lives of celebrities or are you eagerly awaiting the next best piece of technology.  Take a moment and release yourself from all that ‘faux’ happiness and thing about what is going on in the world and how YOU can help create positive change.

Corporate media is filling our heads with endless stories of the militarization of police departments across the globe.  They are making peaceful protests look like war zones.  Governments, in collaboration with the big oil conglomerates and police, are putting environmental activists behind bars and freeing the ones who are destroying and polluting the earth.  Wars are being fought in the best interests of those who would benefit most and not for the greater good of the people in those regions.  Poverty and famine are devastating many parts of the world while those who have no financial worry hunt endangered species with no regard.  

I know, you are wondering, “I thought this blog site was Coalition of Positive Energy”, so why all this negative talk?  Without knowing what is happening in our world – we can’t effectively create positive change.  So what can we do about it?  Is there an alternative to this status quo?  Well, we can do a lot and yes, there is an alternative to what governments are doing now.  Remember – we put them there and we can certainly remove them. 

We can’t rely on corporate media as they are manipulating and controlling everything we do – from the products we buy to the food that we eat.  You don’t see commercials for healthier lifestyle choices or foods that promote good health.  You don’t see news reports on what pharmaceutical drugs are doing to people and their health.  Instead, television promotes these drugs like they are miracles of health.  Burger King, McDonald’s, Wendy’s, KFC, Arby’s and all those other unhealthy fast food chains bombard us with how cheap their food is but they fail to tell us how unhealthy it is.  Oil companies are making commercials about how great and clean their resources are but they fail to show the economical and environment devastation oil spills cost us and our environment.  We must hold governments and corporations accountable for their lack of respect for the environment and for the people who are peacefully protesting for income equality, safe food, clean water, clean air and a peaceful planet. 

What is the alternative for people who are tired of governments creating legislation that does not reflect the views of the majority.  We are tired of wars, lack of environmental protection, governments bailing out corporations and letting ordinary citizens struggle and die for standing up for what is right.  We are tired of the ‘old ways’ – times HAVE changed and we need leaders to reflect that change for the greater good of the people and not the greater good of lining their pockets with money from corrupt corporations.  I will say and keep on saying that we NEED A REVOLUTION – of peace, of love, of positive change.

“You can feel purposeful every single day by taking a moment to cheer up a disgruntled employee, make a child laugh, or even pick up a piece of litter and place it in a trash can.”  – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

I appreciate Dr. Wayne W. Dyers sentiment but imagine how purposeful you would feel by thinking much bigger by helping create legislation that would protect animals from suffering, people from suffering and the environment from suffering.  It’s not out of reach, we can do it – all we have to do is keep mobilizing and putting pressure on our governments and stop buying the crap that becomes meaningless in a year and ends up in landfills.  The moment is now.  Change is needed now.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

WHERE HAVE YOU FOUND LOVE TODAY?

“You can find love everywhere, you just have to be open and receptive of it” – Robert Pavao

Where have you found love today?  I see it everywhere I look;  in the trees, the sky, the birds, other people, the animals around me, in art, in books, in film – it is everywhere.  Why focus on the things that deplete our positive energy when we can enjoy the energy that makes us happy?  Choose to see love, happiness and joy and you will guarantee a life that is authentic and compassionate.

So, I ask you again;  where have you found love today?

**original art by Robert Pavao** – contact me if you are interested in a print.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

 

 

NO GUNS ALLOWED!!!

It’s really this simple….listen and feel the words and music and the answer to the gun debate is pretty simple! 

This song is featured on Snoop Lion’s (Snoop Dogg) album Reincarnated which was released on April 23, 2013.  The album is a departure of the usual hip hops sounds Snoop is most comfortable in.  Snoop dabbles in the reggae genre and does it very well.  Most of the album is produced by Major Lazer and features artists; Miley Cyrus, Rita Ora, Mavado and Popcaan, Angela Hunte, Drake and Cori B (his daughter), Mr Vegas, Collie Buddz, Akon and Iza.  It has received mixed reviews (but who cares what the critics say) – the album is great and has been spinning on my mobile/other devices quite frequently….personally, I think it’s fantastic.  You can buy all of Snoop Dogg’s music via the iTunes store.  For more information about Snoop Dogg/Snoop Lion, please visit his websites:

www.snoop-dogg.com

www.snoopreincarnated.com

Follow Snoop on twitter – https://twitter.com/SnoopDogg

Together, we can make the world a more positive one! 

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOURSELF?

Many people seem to believe they have a clear insight of who they are, what they do and how they want to be remembered.  Have you really thought about what is important to you and how you will be remembered after you are gone?  Get reconnected and assess what is important to you – here are some questions that may help you determine what is important to you:

1.  Do you believe that one person can make a difference to create positive change in the world?  If so, can you name any oner person that has?

2.  Do you want to have an occupation that will create happiness or would you prefer an occupation that you are well compensated for but don’t really enjoy?

3.  Have you ever thought about what organized religion means to you and not what was instilled into you?

4.  Are you angered when a panhandler approaches you for money?

5.  Which do you prefer – the energy of city life or the relative calm of nature?

6.  In one-word, how do you think your friends will describe you?

7.  Do you laugh a lot?

8.  Are you present in everything you do?

9.  Do you live for the moment or are you planning for the future?

10.  Do you believe that a life of an animal is any different from the life of a human?

11.  What is the one thing you cherish the most?

12.  Do you live with honesty and integrity?

13.  Do you live to please others or yourself?

14.  Is it hard for you to let go of negative family members or friends?

15.  Do you believe that your state of mind can create disease?

16.  How do you show respect for our planet/environment/nature?

17.  Do you think outside the box?

18.  Do you believe everything you hear in media/print/word-of-mouth etc, or do you require proof?

19.  Can there be peace without fear?

20.  Do you encourage others to do the things they love?

21.  Is it easy for your to make new friends?

22.  Can you be honest with people without hurting their feelings?

23.  How hard is it for you to love unconditionally?

24.  Do you support and encourage your partner/spouse without any judgements?

25.  How is your energy affecting those around you?

26.  What would you rather live without – a cell phone, computer, television or book?

27.  Is your body your temple?

28.  What/Who is God?

29.  Are you really honest with yourself?

30.  What would you do if you only had one more day left?

These questions are not meant to give you an in-depth and scientific analysis of who you are as a person.  They are questions that you may not really spent too much consideration and thought on.  We sometimes think we know how we would answer certain questions but always forget how easily influenced we are but what we have learned by our friends and family.  Take some time and really – REALLY think about your answers and don’t let any outside influences dictate your thoughts.  Look inside yourself, think about the question and answer from your heart and from your experience.  You will never know what you can discover about yourself when you actually take the time.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one.

 

PALESTINE = NON-MEMBER UN STATE

Thursday, November 29, 2012 – exactly 65 years after passing the Partition Plan for Palestine, the General Assembly voted by a huge majority to recognize Palestine within the 1967 borders as a non-member state with observer status in the organization.  138 countries voted in favour of the resolution, 41 abstained and 9 voted against:  United States, Canada, Czech Republic, Panama, The Marshall Islands, Palau, Nauru, and Micronesia – what do they know that the other 138 countries that voted in favour of the resolution don’t?  Isn’t the UN resolution a step to a peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine and the Middle East?  Here are the reactions to from some of the countries that voted no:

“unfortunate and couterproductive…only through direct negotiations between the parties can the Palestines and Israelis achieve the peace that both deserve:  two states for people, with a sovereign, viable, independent Palestine living side by side in peace and security with a Jewish and democratic Israel.” –  Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

“The UN was founded to advance the cause of peace.  Today the Palestines are turning their back on peace.  Don’t let history record that today the UN helped them along on their march of folly.” – Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor.

“The path to peace has historically rested in direct negotiations between the two parties to resolve all outstanding issues and it remains the same today.  Solutions can only come through the two sides working together….This resolution will not advance the cause of peace or spur a return to negotiations.  Will the Palestinian people be better off as a result? No.  On the contrary, this unilateral step will harden positions and raise unrealistic expectations while doing nothing to improve the lives of the Palestinian people.” – Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird.

“Progress towards a just and lasting two-state solution cannot be made by pressing a green voting button here in this hall.”  – U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice

Here is a brief History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict (http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,,720353,00.html)

The Ottoman Empire

During the fourteenth century the Turkic peoples, who had moved west from the Steppes of central Asia, settled in the Anatolian peninsula (modern-day Turkey) and started to conquer surrounding states.  In 1516 they conquered the east coast of the Mediterranean.  At its zenith, about 1680, the Ottoman empire ran from Vienna to the Gulf and from the Caspian Sea to Morocco in north-west Africa.

1914 – 1918

The Ottoman sided with Germany during the first World War and the British supported an Arab revolt against the Ottomans promising them self-rule.  The British also promised the Jews a homeland in Palestine – the then foreign secretary, Lord Balfour, issuing a declaration in 1917. 

1918

The Arabs took over Syria led by Prince Faysal ibn Husayn of the Arabian Hashemite dynasty.  After the war, the League of Nations granted France and Britain control (‘mandates’) over former Ottoman territories.  France was given Syria; Britain got a mandate over what became Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Jordan.

1921

The British divided their mandate in two – East of the river Jordan became the Emirate of Transjordan and was ruled by Faysal’s brother, ‘Abdullah.  West of the Jordan, became the Palestine mandate and remained under British control.

1930’s

Jewish immigration to the Holy Land, which had been going on since the 1880’s, increased just before the second World War due to the persecution of European Jews by the Nazis and subsequent Holocaust.  The local Arabs wanted to limit the numbers arriving.  There were clashes between the Jewish immigrants and Palestines supported by neighbouring Arab states.

1947

Britain gave up its mandate and the United Nations took over supervision.  The UN suggested two states: one Arab, one Jewish.  The Jews accepted; the Arabs rejected the plan.  David Ben-Gurion declared the foundation of the state of Israel on May 15, 1948.  Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan invaded but were beaten back.

1949

The Jews had extended, the area proposed for them by the UN.  In 1956, Gamal Abdel Nasser came to power in Egypt, Nasser integrated the armies of Egypt and Syria and nationalised the European-owned Suez canal.

1956

Israel joined with Britain and France and on October 29, 1956, invaded the Sinai peninsula in Egypt.  Later that same year, international pressure forced the Israelis to give up Sinai and the UK and France to remove their troops from the Suez canal.

1964

The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was founded.  After the debacle of the six-day war, it reformed.  Under the chairmanship of Yasser Arafat, it claimed to be the sole representative of the Palestinian people and it vowed to reclaim their land and destroy the state of Israel.

1967

The six-day war.  Hostilities between Israel and its neighbours continued and both sides built up their military strength.  On June 5, 1967 – Israel launched a ‘preemptive strike’ against the Arab troops along its borders.  Israel seized the Sinai from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem from Jordan.  Talks have centred around a return to pre-1967 borders ever since.

1973

The Yom Kippur war, On October 6, 1973 – Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israeli-held lands to coincide with the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.  After initial losses, the Israelis regained nearly all of the territory they occupied during the six-day war.  Syria stationed troops in Lebanon in 1976.

1979

The US combined diplomacy with financial muscle to soften relations between Egypt and Israel.  In 1979, the Egyptian president – Anwar Sadat, signed a mutual recognition pact with Israel and Sinai was returned to Egypt.

1981

Israel formally annexed the Golan Heights.  In response to terrorist attacks on northern towns, Israel invaded Lebanon as far north as Beirut on June 6, 1982.  In 1985, Israel withdrew from most of Lebanon but maintained a ‘security zone’ along the border policed by Israeli soldiers and members of the South Lebanese Army. 

1987

During the early 1980’s, the establishment of Jewish settlements on Palestinian land in the West Bank continued systematically.  In 1987, the Palestinians of the West Bank and Gaza launched the intifada (popular uprising) against Israeli occupation.

1993

The Oslo Accords were agreed, which provided for mutual recognition between the PLO and the state of Israel, and limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza.  Jordan signed a peace deal with Israel.  May 2000:  Israel withdrew from Lebanon, but Hizbullah guerrillas harried the retreating Israelis, and members of the South Lebanese Army had to flee with their families into Israel.

October 2000

Violence flared across the West Bank and Gaza Strip after Ariel Sharon made a provocative visit to the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound.  Palestinian Authority police traded fire with Israeli soldiers – many were killed, hundreds injured:  most of the casualties were Arabs, The death of 12-year old Palestinian Mohammed al-Durrah shot dead, apparently by Israeli troops, was broadcast around the world.

2000 – 2002

By the end of 2000, over 300 people were dead.  Ariel Sharon became the Prime Minister of Israel in February 2001.  After September 11, violence escalated as Israel pursued its own ‘war on terrorism’.  2002:  Tensions rose and many were killed on both sides when Palestinian militants launched a new wave of suicide bombings and Israel occupied a large part of the West Bank.

2003

The road map peace plan to a two-state solution started with US-backed Mahmoud Abbas becoming Palestinian Prime Minister.  Palestinian militants announced a ceasefire but Israel continued to kill militant leaders.  Mr. Abbas left office after a power struggle with Mr. Arafat.  Israel continued with its West Bank ‘security fence’.  A suicide attack in Haifa prompted Israel to bomb a camp in Syria.

2004

Israel continues building its security fence roughly along its pre-1967 borders but with loops into Palestinian areas.  Ariel Sharon announces a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a re-commitment to the biggest Jewish settlements in the West Bank.  Just over 4 million Palestinians, who fled Israeli expansion and the 1967 war, are still in exile in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.

All about timelines courtesy of http://www.guardian.co.uk/flash/0,,720353,00.html

My personal thoughts in the UN resolution…..

I don’t claim to have the greatest understanding of the Israeli/Arab conflict but I do know that 138 countries in support of a UN resolution that recognizes Palestine as a non-member state with observer status, is a step in the right direction.  I know that the Palestinian and Israeli people want an end to the violence – and this a pro-active step in the peace process.  The countries that voted ‘no’ or that have abstained from voting are sending a message that is counter productive to the peace process and that gives hope for a positive resolution for all involved.  By voting ‘NO’ or abstaining from voting (especially against the majority) you are giving a clear message that you do not want to be inclusive and seem to be against a peaceful resolution.  

The UN has clearly given me hope that a democracy can work for the greater good – now all we have to do is send our positive energies (love, compassion, non-judgement) into the universe and pray that this resolution is the beginning to a long-lasting and tolerant co-existence between Arabs and Israelis.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one! 

INSPIRING CELEBRITY VIDEOS….

I love when celebrities are not afraid to speak from the heart and not worried about how their statement/words may affect their careers.  It is fantastic when they speak truth and come from a place where there is no judgements, here are some great examples:

Who inspires you to become an instrument for positive change in our world.  Change can only come when we let our voices be heard.  Let your voice be heard!

Together we can make the world a more positive one!