Honor

We are 77 days into my celebration of life video series, and we have come to a key part of celebrating the gift of life: honor. Honoring what we have been given here is what will protect us from wasting it. It may even provide for the much needed respect of ourselves, our planet and everyone in it so that we can construct the happiest of societies upon the staple of sustainability.

1. Honouring our Mother

Let us begin with how it all began. We came into this world thanks to what are known as mothers. Without our mothers, we simply would not be here to experience any of this. We have our birth-giving mothers to thank so much for, but I would go a level above that and remind everyone that our mothers had mothers, and their mothers had mothers, and so on. The human race had to be brought into existence by something too. The science says it was evolution. The religions say it was a creator. Some say that it could have been an element of both. I would say that there is definitely an evolutionary aspect to life as we know it (as the fossil records indicate), and that the world keeps on evolving — however, I respect the grand intelligence of nature. My respect has brought me to consider that creation is intertwined with evolution. It is nature’s way of creating. Whether that means there is some man in the sky is another story, but I would not subscribe to such a theory personally. Why must evolution and intelligent design be separate? Evolution is intelligent design in and of itself! Nonetheless, what we know for sure is that this life is absolutely wondrous and full of endless beauty. Nature keeps on giving; we keep on taking. Our nature is to consume. Unfortunately, we are at a pinnacle point of history where it is time that we become conscious of our consumption. For this, we need to show respect. Earth (also known as Gaia or the Pachamama) is calling for an honoring for what she allows to be created. Be mindful and reconnect with the source you came from. Visit forests as a reminder of what you should be protecting. Let’s start planting the seeds of honor. Let’s begin the respectful revolution of planetary love. 

2. The Body

As we begin to enhance our respect for the grand body of our planet, we must also remind ourselves that we are the planet that we must protect. Much of honoring this life should be in prolonging it as best we can. This will come through a new wave of conscious actions. One of the best ways is to start with our biology; our bodies. Becoming health conscious is not just an aesthetically pleasing endeavour, but it is also an emotionally pleasing path to a better quality of life. Healthy habits are what are needed right now because as we can see in the past century of boozing, eating processed foods and over-indulging in the silent killer that is sugar, we have also negatively affected the health of our gracious planet. This correlation is not a coincidence; it is a consequence of an unhealthy, unconscious collective mind. All these habits lower our vibration as a species. It robs us of our life-force which is needed to keep the river of beauty flowing. It is time to start respecting this life by respecting your body. Start honoring your health and you may muster up the drive to honor the health of planet. We can do this world. Honor your body.

3. Respect Reflects

You can tell how much a person respects themselves by how much respect they show others. The same goes for those that litter, vandalise or disregard the environment in any form. Your projection is a reflection; your reflection is a projection. Respect reflects. Everything begins and ends within. Do you want people to respect you? Start respecting yourself. Treat yourself well and feed yourself with what will give you clean energy. Enhance your health and be the best example you can be. This kind of self-respect can be a shining light to guide others into the same positive way of being. There is no need to push people into your way of being, so just focus on yourself and your light shall reflect off of your inner mirrors out into our mysterious, mirroring world. Try greeting people with respectful words. Compliment the outer as you would compliment the inner. Give way for the elderly, protect the children, empower the endeavours of others and honor the world around you. As they saying goes: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

4. The Rain

I know that some people absolutely love the rain. They adore the exciting, yet relaxing sounds of the rain crashing upon their roofs as they rest easy inside the cotton comfort of their homes. They love how it feeds the plants and enhances the colours in the wild. They love to get soaked and play in it — some even enjoy kissing in the rain. Most of the world though, are not like this. Most of the world would much rather complain about the rain. They complain about being wet and cold. Newsflash: complaining won’t stop the rain, and if it did, we would soon die with all the plants. There exists places in the world that would kill for a drop of rain just so they could have a chance at a fresh drink of water. Most people forget that in absolution. Honor the rain! Dance it in if you must! It is an absolute gift, and if it rains constantly where you are situated, then you are absolutely privileged. You are a rich human being because you can find solace in the fact that plants will continue to grow and provide. I met a man once that had such a rich knowledge of plants. He could identify all edible plants and knew what each plant or flower was good for in the body. I thought to myself ‘this man has infinite riches,’ because if you have this type of knowledge in a country like Ireland where it constantly rains, then you are infinitely rich because nature will keep providing nourishment in this wet climate. People just lack the education. Ignorance may be bliss, but it also leads to disrespect and wasting the precious beauty. Respect the rain.

5. The Sea

Ah, the sea. The magnificent; the mystical; the majestic; the mesmerising ocean. A force to be reckoned with. An entity that deserves a huge amount of respect. Why? Because it is beautiful but can kill you. So many beautiful things in this world can kill you by the way — isn’t that quite interesting? Is the lethal uncertainty something that enhances beauty? I suppose it is much like life. You never know what mishaps or pain it may have in store for you, but along the very same vein, you never know when it is going to present you with a miraculous moment of beauty that makes it all worth it. The sea is absolutely beautiful, and it has a calming energy most of the time. It can be borderline hypnotic to gaze at. To watch from afar even during the aggressive storms can be such a gripping experience. I love the sea, but I know it can kill me so I show it respect. I move with it. I speak to it. I listen to it. Obviously it does not speak in a humanly relatable sense, but it sure does communicate. It can be calm one day, and the next day it is aggressive. You have to understand when it is approachable, and when it is, connect to it — jump in! If it’s cold, show it the respect by preparing with the proper breathing or meditation. The greatest thing is that the sea is such a giver when shown respect. Honor the sea, connect with it with a swim, and it will refresh your mind and feed your body with the nourishment it needs. Dishonor it, and it will take your life. 

6. Routine

One thing that I have learned the importance of is a daily routine, or a mantra if you will. Last week I made the mistake of waking up and as my first waking move, I turned my phone on. This led me to a stress induced flood of notifications which is just not a healthy way to start your day. I usually have a daily morning mantra where I begin by writing 10 things that I am grateful for in my gratitude journal which allows me to create an abundance mindset as I am focusing on what I have, rather than what I do not. I then exercise and follow that up with a meditation in which I vividly visualise what I want in my life. I finish my mantra by repeating positive affirmations in the present tense before I get on with my day. All of these techniques open up positive pathways of perception. It is comparable with the old saying “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I usually skip breakfast for my mantra, but I include a Ganoderma Lucidum coffee in the mantra. For me, the mantra is the most important action of the day. Starting your day right makes it more likely that you will achieve success throughout the day before you end up finishing the day as a winner. A daily abundance mantra is essentially a way in which to honor what you have. A way to brighten every day. Honor your routine.

7. Vision

As I have mentioned before, gazing at beauty is an experiential ability we should be grateful for in this life. Some people are not privileged with this gift. For those that have been gifted with vision, honor it. Spend time in awe of what surrounds you. Invest a moment to look around at all of the amazing, unique, and vibrant aspects of nature. Give life your attention before it runs out on you. If you had a life-partner that you did not give the adequate loving attention to, they would certainly have reason to run out on you, so why would you think life is any different. Saviour every moment with every one and every thing. I remember a handful of times where I have been so immersed in the moment, seeing the beauty that surrounded my being so clearly that it brought me to tears. Not the salty tears that are cried in grieving, but tears of absolute joy. “What a joy it is to be here. What a joy to have this experience. What a joy it is to be able to see.” I would think. Vision does go beyond plain sight though; imagination. Even the blind can imagine, and I would love to know what they see in their imagination. That’s another astonishing gift. Our imagination is wildly adventurous, so take the time and use it! Visualise what you want and where you want to be every single day. It may not take you there in the physical world right away, but it sure does take you there in your mind’s eye. Our minds are more powerful than one likes to believe. Allow your mind’s eye to envision that which you wish your eyes to see in reality, and it could soon become a real manifestation.

8. Your Dreams

Our dreams are one of the most important elements of our imagination. The blind may not have eye-sight, but they sure can dream. That is powerful. Our dreams are not just some meaningless, abstract thought-process. They are what drives a person to do things in this life. Our dreams give us motivation and ideas for reality. How many of you reading this are not pursuing your dreams? How many of you accept that they are just dreams and do not dare to push in making them a reality? It is probably because of fear. You are either afraid of failing, or you fear the judgement of others. You essentially have pointless fears that are blocking you from just having a crack at it. I wish to tell you that no matter what your fears are, or how perfect you want things to go — do not let it delay or stop you. Start now. Start moving forward and creating that which you wish. Your dream is not going to create itself. Your dream is your dream because it needs you. Your dream is waiting for you. All you need to do is turn up without a care in the world for what others will think of you for turning up. You might look stupid at first, and you may face many failures along the way that will make the dream you envisioned distorted. You just gotta keep the faith, and honor the dream that is waiting for you. Just as you would honor a friend that is waiting to meet you by showing up. Honor your dreams by showing up for them.

9. Your Time

I am a firm believer that we all have multiple destinies or life-paths. Seeming as I believe that we co-create our reality, it is upon this belief that I suspect that we have multiple pre-written destinies — much like in a multiple-choice simulation. Down each path lays a different fate. I personally choose to make healthy decisions so that I can travel down the path that is most likely to last the longest. I would rather prolong this wondrous experience. However, every path has an end. It is important to remember that even though your time will come to an end — regardless of what you choose to do — you should still honor your time here by making the best of it. Now, by making the best of it, that does not mean going hell-for-leather on an unhealthy drug or alcohol binge as some sort of blowout following the ‘you only live once’ philosophy. That usually ends up just shortening your life in most cases. You can enjoy a fine life even without the need for substances, and that is where the secret power lays; in the need for little to produce a lot. I would compare the honoring of your time to how one may savour a meal by taking time to enjoy the taste. You don’t want to devour it in an instant because then it’s all over. Similarly with your time here; savour every second by finding fulfilment in the simple things. If you are abundantly in love with the minimal, then you have the key to the maximal: infinitely flowing riches that arrive from all directions.

10. Your Ears

Today I visited a beautiful memorial garden in the sweet Cobh of Cork. I was enveloped in an emotive environment full to the brim with greenery and vibrant summer colours. The birds couldn’t contain themselves from singing. Their songs rang true to my deep underlying spirit, resonating with a peaceful energy residing within. As I sat in this blissful beauty of nature’s music, I thought to myself “what an absolute gift it is to be able to hear these sounds. Thank you.” I was in a state of interconnected bliss in which I really felt one with the birds — and I was delighted to be their audience. You really have to take the time and honor your ears with these kinds of wonderful sounds. Fill your ears with as many of nature’s musical compositions, and who knows, you may even find some inspiration for some kind of creation of your own. 

To watch the full playlist of 1-minute videos, click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKBUdEybaWk&list=PLlXZaBJSGPT4hAXsHq91n1r6fuTPAr-cJ