Image by Gordon Johnson
Video version: InnerSelf Magazine: The Movie February 15, 2021
Welcome... Our InnerSelf welcomes your inner self.
As I write this, it is Valentine's Day, a day that is associated with love... usually romantic love. However, since romantic love is rather limited in that it, usually, applies just to the love between two people, I feel that we need to expand the outreach of Valentine's Day -- and every day -- to include not only romantic love but love for all... in all its forms.
This week, we look at Love from a broader perspective. We start off with Will T. Wilkinson who asks: "How Do We Create World Peace? We CAN Get There From Here" for what is more loving than world peace? That truly is love by all and for all.
We continue our discovery of all aspects of love with Tur?ya who recommends "Releasing the Judgement -- of Everything" because, obviously, if we are judging something or someone, there is no room for love. We cannot hold two thoughts or two emotions at once, so it's either love... or other attitudes and things...
And of course, in order to love, to truly love, we must let go of grudges and resentments, whether towards others or ourselves. Robert Simmons assists us in "Opening The Gate of Forgiveness: Making Love and Redemption Possible". There is also a guided meditation linked to his article so you can experience the Gate of Forgiveness process yourself.
Pierre Pradervand reminds us that gratitude is also an intrinsic part of love in its greater definition. He presents us with a blessing entitled: "Thank You For Coming, My Immigrant Sisters and Brothers!" as he encourages us to open our hearts to immigrants and refugees...
Love, whether romantic, platonic, or universal, can require attention and, yes, work. Linda and Charlie Bloom give great suggestions which can apply not only to romantic love but also to friendships and other relationships, in "Do You Wish To Keep Love Alive? Here's How...".
We also have to consider tough love. When dealing with our children, sometimes being loving means taking a path that may, to the child or teenager, seem very unloving and unfair. In "Does Your Young Child Need a Screen Intervention?", Carmen Viktoria Gamper gives great advice on how to deal lovingly, yet clearly, with a child who has become too attached to their screens. And perhaps for those of us addicted to our screens, we might take inspiration from her article as well.
Another form of tough love is presented in Sarah Varcas' article: "A Fight for Life and a Love Story: Saturn Uranus square Feb. 17 2021". Sarah reminds us that Saturn can be a harsh taskmaster and that his love is definitely of the tough category:
"We won’t get away with sitting on the fence this year! We all need to dig deep and stand tall when it comes to the decisions we make and the actions we take."
Even if you're not "into astrology", I highly recommend reading Sarah's article, as it can help open our eyes to new perspectives.
So this year, starting with the Chinese (or Lunar) New Year which was on February 12, and then on to Valentine's Day on the 14th, let us make a "lunar new year" resolution... to make Love our foremost intention, focus, and action. Again, from Sarah Varcas' article:
"This year is both a fight for life and a love story, a battle cry and the dreamtime of the soul. We’re deciding the very future of humanity with our every thought, word and deed."
So it comes back to love... our own love story... the love story of the planet, and of everyone on it. It is time to take off our limiting blinders that restrict love just for the few... whether that is our immediate family, our friends, those of the same color, religion, country, political leanings, etc. It is time to see the humanity in all of us, and see that we are all connected and that Love will indeed set us free from tyranny, from darkness, from anything that is not Love. When love exists, there is no room for anything else. To borrow and amend the Three Musketeers motto, we can choose to live: "One for Love, and Love for All".
Please scroll down for the featured articles in this new issue of InnerSelf, and also the recap of all the articles that were added to the website during the week.
Wishing you enjoyable insightful reading, and of course a wonder-full, joy-full, health-full, and loving week.
Marie T. Russell
editor/publisher,
InnerSelf.com
"New Attitudes...New Possibilities"
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NEW ARTICLES THIS WEEK
***** articles and videos added daily *****
How Do We Create World Peace? We CAN Get There From Here
Written by Will T. Wilkinson
Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing and expecting a different result.” Our human habit is to identify a problem and then try to fix it. That must change. But what’s the alternative? Examining how G.P.S. works gives us some clues.
Releasing the Judgement -- of Everything
Written by Tur?ya
It’s easy to sit in judgement and torture ourselves. I thought the pain and fatigue were temporary. I thought I was being weak. I convinced myself it was nothing to worry about, and all I needed to do was exercise more and work harder.
Opening The Gate of Forgiveness: Making Love and Redemption Possible
Written by Robert Simmons
As we grow up, our egos become more complicated. We grow to resent (both consciously and unconsciously) the judgments we have suffered, and we try to avoid them. Our Inner Judge learns to project our resentment onto others and to denigrate them—whether openly or secretly.
Thank You For Coming, My Immigrant Sisters and Brothers!
Written by Pierre Pradervand
Without the welcome arrival of immigrants, our countries would slowly empty themselves of their population. In Germany, thanks to the massive and very recent increased influx of immigrants and refugees, the birth rate shot up from a low of 1.39 in 2010 (at the time one of the lowest if not the lowest in the world) to 1.5 in 2016.
Do You Wish To Keep Love Alive? Here's How...
Written by Linda & Charlie Bloom
Quite a few people have bought into the widely held myth that-long term relationships eventually become flat and boring. This belief, if unchallenged can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy that will eventually create the reality that we fear.
Does Your Young Child Need a Screen Intervention?
Written by Carmen Viktoria Gamper
It's completely understandable when parents give their young children their iPhone or iPad to help them wait at a doctor's office, sit at a restaurant, or allow the parent to simply catch up with household errands. But after it happens, their children may continually ask to play with the device.
A Fight for Life and a Love Story: Saturn Uranus square Feb. 17 2021
Written by Sarah Varcas
If you think you know what happens next, think again. If you’re certain in your world view, let the edges begin to blur for much is not as it seems. When Saturn squares Uranus we’re all tasked with building a future from the wisdom of experience, potentised by openness to new possibilities.
Music-Making Brings Us Together
by Jessica Grahn, Anna-Katharina R. Bauer, and Anna Zamm
As cities all over the world shut down to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, videos emerged on the internet:…
Here Are The Relationship Factors People Ponder When Deciding Whether To Break Up
by Gary W. Lewandowski Jr
The person you talk to, date, move in with, get engaged to, marry, break up with or divorce – it’s all up to you.…
Annoyed by Valentine's Day? It Was Reimagined by Chivalrous Medieval Poets For All To Enjoy
byJennifer Wollock
For many in a relationship, the pressure to impress a partner can weigh heavily, and expensive gifts serve as a…
Here’s How AI Can Help People Be Less Lonely
by Augstein Laken Brooks
Millions of isolated people have found comfort by chatting with an AI bot. Therapeutic bots have improved users’ mental…
How To Write A Love Poem -- With Prompts To Help You Get Started
by Hannah Copley
If you are spending Valentine's day apart from your loved ones, writing a poem can be a more personal way to reach out…
All The Coronavirus In The World Could Fit Inside A Coke Can, With Plenty Of Room To Spare
by Christian Yates
When I was asked to calculate the total volume of SARS-CoV-2 in the world for the BBC Radio 4 show More or Less, I will…
Why We're Obsessed With Music From Our Youth
by Kelly Jakubowsk
People tend to be extremely nostalgic about the music they listened to when they were young. If you were a teenager in…
How Evidence of An Impending Breakup May Exist In Everyday Conversation
by Sarah Seraj et al
When doubts about a relationship start to creep in, people don’t just blurt them out. They might not want to worry…
Why People With Depression Can Sometimes Experience Memory Problems
by Cynthia Fu,
While we often associate depression with low mood, tiredness and feelings of hopelessness, less well known is that some…
Why Can’t I Eat Out For Valentine’s Day If I Socially Distance?
by Ryan Malosh
Restrictions on indoor dining are some of the hardest to swallow. We all have our favorite restaurants, and the…
CDC Says Masks Must Fit Tightly – And Two Are Better Than One
by Scott N. Schiffres
On Feb. 10, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new mask guidelines based on a study of how…
Transparent Wood Is Coming, And It Could Make An Energy-Efficient Alternative To Glass
by Steve Eichhorn
Wood is an ancient material humans have been using for millions of years, for the construction of housing, ships and as…
How We Can Help Migrating Birds On Their Way and Keep Them Safe
by Frank La Sorte
Millions of birds travel between their breeding and wintering grounds during spring and autumn migration, creating one…
What Kids Need To Learn At Home
by John Munro
Research during the first phase of remote teaching in Victoria reported some students found the workload “too high”,…
How The USA Can Transform From A Humanitarian Laggard Into A Global Leader
by Edward R. Carr
Even after the Trump administration’s repeated efforts to slash foreign aid and global partnerships, the United States…
How Virtual Meetings Affect A Women’s Body Image
by Brandie Jefferson
For most women—but not for all women—looking at themselves during virtual meetings has not been accompanied by any…
When Dogs Bark, Are They Using Words To Communicate?
by Clive Wynne
Does your dog bark a lot? Or is he one of those quiet pooches who barks only when things get really exciting? Most dogs…
How Depression and Boredom Intensify the Fear of Missing Out
by Julian Jason Haladyn
The repeated denial of even the possibility of such experiences results in profound moments of boredom directly related…
How Work Addiction Can Be Harmful To Your Mental Health
by Teena J Clouston
Promoting work-life balance has also been shown to increase both physical and psychological health, and personal…
Why You Should Pass Your First Language, And Accent, To Your Kids
by Chloé Diskin-Holdaway and Paola Escudero
We found many first-generation migrant parents are hesitant to pass on their first language to their children. This is…
How Do You Put A Price On Something That Has Infinite Worth?
by Tom Oliver
Proponents of the economic approach argue that if we don’t give nature a price then we essentially treat it as having…
Astrological Journal for the Week
Written by Pam Younghans
This weekly column (updated every Sunday afternoon) is based on planetary influences, and offers perspectives and insights to assist you in making the best use of current energies... Read this week's journal here
It is also highly beneficial to reread the past week's astrological journal as it gives a hindsight view of the events that took place and may provide many "ah-ha" insights.
OLDIES & GOODIES:
Twelve Ways To Tell If You're A Spiritual Being
by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Twelve beliefs and practices for you to cultivate as you develop your abilities to manifest miracles in your life. I…
Caring is a Natural Reflex
by Margo Adair
In the U.S., we are conditioned to believe we are separate and fully independent from one another. Many of us do not…
Fears of Managing Money: Dealing with Family and Societal Programming
by Frederick S. Brown
Many of us are terrified of handling our money because we don't believe we can do it well, and to do it wrong would…
What is the Tantric Practice of Maithuna or Ritual Sex?
by Clifford Bishop
Maithuna is a ritual of transformation, and although it is expected to generate pleasure, the pleasure must not be of…
Spiritual Development in The Moment Itself: Experiencing Sufism
by James Dillehay
It is said that when the student is ready, the teacher may physically appear and guide them in their transformation…
The Inner Feelings Care System... So You Can Feel More Love
by SARK (Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy)
When I was growing up, I was basically allowed to express one feeling, and I had to go to my room to do it. When I came…
The Why and How of Belly Dancing
by Iris J. Stewart
Belly dance (by whatever name it is called) is excellent for any age. It is a celebration of womanhood, a dance by…
Which 3 R's Really Lead to Happiness and Success?
by Marie T. Russell, InnerSelf
Many of us have grown up with the concept of the 3 R's. We have been told that the 3R's were the basis or the most…
To Find Friends, Plant Seeds of Friendship
by Donald Altman
It goes without saying that harming others does not a friendly community make. We can begin to refrain from doing harm…
Time To Feel Good About Mercury Retrograde
by Linda Rankin & Mark Husson
Before you decide to bring your life to a halt, to stop all important decision making and to sit waiting for the next…
How To Use Color, Nature, and Sound for a Harmonious Home and Enhanced Ch'i
by Terah Kathryn Collins
Color can be a tremendous Ch'i enhancement when you love it, or cause a real depletion in energy if you don't. If a…
Learning the Art of Discernment and of Seeing Things As They Are
by James Allen
Spiritual progress is painfully slow and uncertain until the eyes of discernment are opened. Without discernment, we…
A Fork in the Road: Living in the Moment
by Mary Ann Morgan with Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig
The message of "Living in the Moment" was given greater depth when shortly before the writing of this book was completed…
The 2nd Chakra: Your Doorway to Sensuality, Sexuality, and Pleasure
by Julie Tallard Johnson
When basic pleasures are denied, such as your healthy sexuality, emotional expression, and sensual curiosity, you may…
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