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Know
& Grow Monthly Magazine “Wherever
a beautiful soul has been, there remains a trail of beautiful memories.” ~ For Rookie Scott (January, 1993—August,
2008) ...
January 26, 2009
TODAY'S TUNE [ON/OFF] "You're
the One That I Want"
If
the song doesn't play, simply: ENTER
HERE to open a media window.
When
I first saw Carolyn and Rookie dancing to the song "You're the One that
I Want," I broke into tears like so many other people have. I saved a
link to the video and watch it whenever I'm feeling sad or if I need to be reconnected
with some of the deepest parts of my consciousness.
~ Chelle Thompson, Editor
GO
HERE TO FIND OUT HOW ... you can help
people all
around the world without a bit of risk to yourself!
From the Inside Out A TRAIL OF MEMORIES
Paralyzed
due to childhood polio at the age of four years, and additionally diagnosed with
a significant heart disorder, Carolyn Scott has suffered much physical and psychological
pain. Today, she suffers from the after effects of her initial polio and treatments,
evidencing Post Polio Sequelae. This has resulted in Carolyn's no longer competing
in the ring due to her diminished balance, which can result in falls. Yet, she
continues to be a world-recognized teacher of the relatively new sport of canine
freestyle dance, traveling the world and personally demonstrating and spreading
the joy that comes from participation in this sport. In turn, she has taken her
cues from a dog who, himself, has suffered from anxiety from his own fears of
the unknown. By bonding with her dogs and helping them live life to the fullest,
she has been able to tackle her own continuing challenges.
People
who see the Internet
clip (HERE)(Download
video once, for a smooth second viewing) of
Texas-born Carolyn Scott performing a song from "Grease" with her golden
retriever Rookie are riveted to the screen.Thousands have sent her e-mails,
many saying they cried with joy. They know they're seeing something special between
this woman and this dog as Rookie spins and grins at Carolyn in the canine freestyle
dance, but they can't quite put their finger on it. "They look at that
capacity for love and they want it," says Rochelle Lesser, a school psychologist
who is making a documentary film on Carolyn and Rookie. "They can't comprehend
anything that pure."
BUT
THEIR LESSONS IN LIFE ARE EVEN MORE POWERFUL! Carolyn was scarred by polio that
weakened her right side and damaged her self-confidence. She was shunned from
people's houses out of fear when she was 4 years old. As an adult, she grew too
afraid to leave her house without the support of her husband, her high-school
sweetheart.
Then
she got Rookie, a submissive puppy who was fearful of people and tight places.
He collapsed when confronted with anything new. Their journey is a lesson in reading
each other's strengths and the trust that comes from consistent, positive reinforcement.
"Through
the process of working on his fears, I started addressing some of mine,"
said Carolyn, in a warm and moderated Texas accent by phone from her home in Houston.
Seeing the limits fear placed on Rookie's life allowed Carolyn to see how she
limited her own life.
Today she and Rookie appear all over the country and on television, though Carolyn
still has to talk herself through her nervousness. She says she owes it all to
that "little yellow dog." "My husband is totally in shock, and
so are my kids," Carolyn said. "I'm getting over the hump."
"You
must do what you find hardest to do." — Eleanor Roosevelt
The
journey for Carolyn began in 1950 when she contracted polio at age 4, just two
years before the terrible disease reached its peak, afflicting 21,000 people in
the US By the time she was released from a hospital for "crippled children"
near Gonzales, Texas, her right leg was an inch and a half smaller than her left
and the muscles had atrophied. She hid her limp, just as President Roosevelt hid
his paralysis after contracting the disease in 1921. FDR used arm strength and
braces to appear in public as if he were standing. "Most of us polio survivors
did overcompensate," Carolyn says. "We worked hard and just focused
on achieving. I didn't start talking about it until the last few years."
Much
of her hard work as a child to rebuild her mobility has come back to haunt her.
She wore her leg out, she says. She suffers continued deterioration on her right
side. Her left leg is starting to give from carrying the load.
Carolyn's
first bond outside her family was with a collie. As an adult, she trained dogs
for obedience. But the handler must confine movement in obedience and Carolyn"wavered
in the wind." She was afraid of falling and embarrassing herself. And when
she got Rookie, she could see that obedience was too rigid for his fragile nature.
In
1996, when he was 3, she introduced him to the new sport of canine freestyle dance,
a natural for him and for her. They won — or, as she says, "HE"
won — the first national competition in the off-leash division, a highlight
of her life. "It was a process of discovery," Carolyn says. "I
had no idea how much talent he had. I started watching him closely to see what
he enjoyed doing." She built his confidence by using a "clicker"
device that signals to the dog immediately that he's doing the right thing and
reward is on its way. She taught him spins, but he added throwing his feet in
the air and other moves that give him such verve. Though she's trying to keep
her balance, she lets him improvise. "Then I reward him like crazy. He
loves doing it."
Lesser,
who's making the documentary, says she also has a fearful dog but she accepts
the dog's limitations because she can't or won't put the hours in that Carolyn
did with Rookie. "Trust, me, when Carolyn had this fearful dog, this was
her life; she was devoted to overcoming this," Lesser says. "The
amount of hours she put into this would just amaze people. They just see the end
product." As
a consequence, there is no other team like them, Lesser believes. No team that
moves so much as one. She's hoping her documentary, "Gotta Dance," will
show that connection, raise money for canine oncology and deliver the message
that people don't have to stop enjoying life because of difficulties.
Carolyn
taught Rookie that life is a fun game. She gives him random rewards and lets him
play with people when they go out. "Of course, now he thinks that's what
they're there for. Both of our personalities have taken a change. He's
confident and enjoying life — just like I am." Carolyn said. "Unfortunately,
Carolyn can't be who she is
right now without what she went through," Lesser says. "She's
just incredible. She has a real presence." Instead of telling herself
she's going to fall down and how frightened she is, Carolyn restructures her thoughts
to tell herself she's going to do a good job. If she falls down, it's OK. And
if she questions herself, she has only to look at Rookie, whose natural personality
was hidden under all that fear. "All of us walk around masquerading ourselves,"
Carolyn says. "We don't let ourselves be vulnerable."
You
can learn about Land
of PureGold Foundation's documentary film HERE
that is based on this special union. The film celebrates the human-canine bond
and how it was critical in their overcoming adversity, given Carolyn’s polio
and more. It is being produced for fundraising purposes for working dogs and funding
research in comparative oncology, the study of cancers that occur similarly in
people and companion animals. The
special montage (below) is a tribute to the most unique 15-year partnership of
Carolyn Scott and her beloved Golden Retriever, Rookie. Arguably, the most famous
canine freestyle team in the world, Carolyn and Rookie’s love for one another
has been cheering millions through the many clips that have circulated over YouTube
since the famous routine was digitalized several years ago. Little did they know
that posting of that video would bring so much joy to so many, actually even bringing
soldiers in Iraq to tears.
There
is a powerful message in the life-affirming joy and inner radiance that Carolyn
and Rookie exude, as this film demonstrates the restorative miracles that can
abound through the embodiment of the human-canine bond. However, it is important
to understand that this documentary is NOT a story about canine freestyle. Rather,
it is a courageous story of inner strength and survival, as Carolyn continues,
in a sense, to dance for her life.See
More Videos of Rookie & A Sad Update HERE
~Excerpted
from an article by Sherry Stripling, Seattle Times
*Other
Stories & More*
*READ OUR CORRESPONDING ARTICLE:"THERE
IS HOPE!"
Meaningful Life Answers
& Encouragement Blogboard
2009
IS THE YEAR TO "BE THE WORLD YOU WANT TO SEE"
... Learn MoreHERE
Fascinating
Facts 25TH HARBIN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL...
Have
you seen China's incredible ice and snow sculptures?
TAKE A LOOK HERE
Words
from the Wise THE SECOND GLANCE...
'‘Extraordinary
People through a Unique Lens’' (Soul
Biographies —From
Filmmaker Nic Askew) DAVID
ROCHE'S face distinguishes him from all other motivational speakers.
Perhaps true beauty is something that draws our attention at second glance, once
the judgment of a first glance has realized its mistake —
David has transformed the challenges and gifts of living with a facial disfigurement
into a compelling message that uplifts and delights audiences around the world.
(David's
WEBSITE
and BLOG)
The
story of his heroic journey from shame to strength has inspired standing ovations
from the Kennedy Center to the Sydney Olympics Arts Festival, from most of the
50 States to Canada, England, New Zealand and Moscow. (David's
BOOK
HERE) WATCH
THIS THOUGHT-PROVOKING FILM HERE (Always
let videos download once, for a smooth second viewing.)
Yes You Can! CREATE GREATER FULFILLMENT IN 2009
"Intention is the key method by which we motivate and move our self
on this planet. It always has been." ~John-Roger
If
your formal education was anything like mine, it may have been directed mainly
into gaining qualifications so that you could get a sound job, reliable income
and the material benefits to enjoy a rewarding life. So far, so good, But only
up to a point. School education in my experience does not generally equip us to
relate well with each other, or we would not witness social breakdown in schools
and colleges. Nor does it always assist us to recognize and realize our individual
aptitudes, natural motivations, heartfelt aspirations or least of all, our innate
value and worth as a human being. This self-understanding leads to personal fulfillment.
What
if you could create an intention for greater fulfillment? Setting an intention
involves choosing a direction, a positive focus that may be fulfilled in many
ways over time. It is not finite and it is expansive. These 3 keys offer a foundation
for your intention, and for the fulfillment that will unfold from it.
1.
VALUE YOURSELF: "Our intention creates our reality." ~Wayne
Dyer
What
if you were to fully know your value and express it into the world through your
work, your relationships with others and your presence of well-being? You could
transform your world — not necessarily the world as a whole, but the world
immediately around you — of your family, work colleagues and friends. I would
like to suggest that appreciating your value is an important key to finding greater
fulfillment. Appreciate has the sense both of gratitude and of increase. What
you appreciate grows in value for you. Think of a garden you enjoy cultivating,
giving your time, care and attention to produce flowers, maybe fruit or vegetables.
It gives back to you. As you appreciate yourself, your value grows. As your value
grows, you have more to give. As you give more, you may receive more. It is a
virtuous cycle that spirals upwards.
HOW?
A simple and yet powerful exercise I have used in partnership, and in corporate
training, is that of acknowledgment (of tasks accomplished) and appreciation (for
qualities expressed). Acknowledging and appreciating others is a great exercise
for developing intimacy in a close relationship, and strength in a team, At the
end of a day, experiment by acknowledging and appreciating yourself. It could
look something like this: I acknowledge myself for... taking the kids to
school ... going to the gym ... giving constructive feedback to my assistant.
I appreciate myself for... being patient, kind, thoughtful, fun, a good
listener.
2.
ENJOY YOURSELF: "Never underestimate the ability of the Divine
powers that be to work out what is coming from clear intention." ~John
Morton
The
intention that works for me is written in my heart of hearts. It is not a sentimental
thing but something solid that resonates within me. It is not an idea, a belief,
a passing wish or a vain hope. It has the deep quality of knowing. Clear intention
in me is profound, unshakable. The energy of intention fuels the aspirations I
envisage. A clear workable intention has a quality of joy with it. We each have
a recognizable Personal Motivational Trend, defined as that which we are good
at, enjoy doing and gives us the experience of success. If you are at a career
turning point, knowing your Personal Motivational Trend will guide towards your
next best choice of vocation. Your Personal Motivational Trend stays with you
through your lifetime, although it may be experienced through many different avenues
of expression.
HOW?
Reflect for a moment..... What do you most enjoy doing — at work or otherwise?
What are your natural skills, talents and gifts - things that come easily to you?
Recall a moment of fulfillment in your life so far — notice what was special
about that experience for you; feel, see, hear anything about it, as if it were
happening right now. Be aware of the joy within you.
3.
CELEBRATE YOURSELF "I'm delirious with joy. It proves that if you
confront the universe with good intentions in your heart, it will reflect that
and reward your intent. Usually. It just doesn't always do it in the way you expect."
~J. Michael Straczynski
Why
celebrate? Because you are worth it, as the advertisement goes In every person
I have ever met, when I have looked beyond the smokescreen of disappointment,
hurt feelings, frustration, self-doubt, I have never failed to find the precious
gift of life, which is also the gift of loving, that sustains them. You, your
life, is a precious gift.
HOW?
Start with giving yourself your most precious gift — the gift of your time.
Give yourself a Lily Day ... Afternoon or even an Hour — time to breathe
and just be yourself; no commitments, no pressures; time to listen to, and follow
your heart, as you are inspired. Celebrate the love that you are.
WHAT
IS A "LILY DAY" AND HOW DO WE CELEBRATE IT? "Consider
the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And
yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these."~Matthew 6
This
quote speaks to me of having faith that something greater than I is in charge
and running this show on earth. Therefore, instead of getting worked up and stressed
out, I can let go and relax. I do not have to be in control and directing everything
- minutiae management. First of all practically speaking, before I declare a Lily
Day I do take care of the essentials that would otherwise distract me —
for example, a bill to be paid, a phone call that has to be made, a meeting to
be agreed. A Lily Day is a day of trust, space and peace, knowing that
my basic needs are being taken care of — food, shelter, warmth — and
importantly, my need to give: of my time, talents, love and joy. On a Lily
Day, there is nothing I should or feel I have to do, unless I really want
to. It is a bit like having a holiday at home without the discomforts of travel
and facilities that do not meet my expectations. And it is just as refreshing,
potentially more enriching and it does not cost anything. It is a special day
to be available to and nurture my inner spirit.
Each
time I have declared a Lily Day, the experience has been so very rewarding.
I let the day take care of itself. I allow myself to be moved from within. It
might be to go for a walk. It could be to clear a cupboard I have been meaning
to do for ages. I could sit in a comfortable chair and just do nothing, until
something occurs and moves me to take action. I can even be more productive than
on a "normal" planned day. If
there's filing to do, but I really don't feel like doing it, I don't do it. Letters
to write, people to call, shopping to do — forget it. If it is really important,
I will be moved to complete it. I give my "molecules" a chance to breathe
as I get off my case.
If
I am dependent upon the world around me for my sense of purpose, meaning and fulfillment,
I look outside of myself for validation. I seek attention and approval, compare
myself to others and their successes. On the other hand, a Lily Day offers
me the opportunity to view who I am, and what I do, in a whole new light. How?
I am relating to myself from the inside out. My inner wisdom is working for me
and guiding me. I am enriching myself. Stresses may come not from what happens
but how we respond to the events around us. But then isn't pressure often self-imposed
by our expectations and the drivers of "shoulds," "oughts"
and the compulsions that we assume? How is it some people in the same circumstances
remain relaxed and calm while others get flustered? A Lily Day is not opting
out. It is opting in; a delicious state of surrender to that which is higher and
greater than me.
"The
cure for exhaustion and burn-out is not rest but rather to connect with your heart
and let it guide you into what gives you power. When you connect with your
power there is complete relaxation even in the midst of intense action."
~Davide de Angelis
A
Lily Day — no expectations, no disappointments. No attachments —
freedom to be you and honour your heartfelt instincts to fulfill what is right
in front of you. No fuss. No bother. Know the fullness of your own spirit as it
comes into alignment with what is true for you.
"Happiness
cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual
experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude."
~Denis Waitley
Letting
go is liberating. The blessing of any release is that it creates the space for
something new. The void is actually not empty. I have found that the void is actually
full of the dynamic energy of who I am really am, my spiritual essence. When I
have stopped driving myself and trying to fill my space with things I think will
make me feel more "comfortable" — eating, watching TV, mindlessly
trawling the Internet— I am filled with vitality and peace.
"A
good intention clothes itself with power." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Be
prepared — life may find a way of delivering some wonderful surprises for
you!
Copán
Mayan
Ruins
in Honduras feature stylized macaw beak carvings,
plus sculptures of Scarlet Macaw heads as ball court markers. Macaws were an important motif in Mayan art.
See
Video HERE(Download
once, for smooth second viewing)
Outside the towns of of CopánRuinas, Gracias, and the region's unofficial capital of Santa Rosa de Copán,
few tourists travel Honduras' western highlands — where charming colonial
mountain villages are inhabited by the Lenca indigenous group. This is
the land of Lempira, a
famed Indian Chief who battled the conquistadors to a standstill, before being
tricked and killed, and for whom the national currency is named. Spanish colonization
eventually led to the loss of the Lenca language at the end 19th century. Today,
approximately
100,000 Lenca live scattered about in 100 villages and hamlets.
The
Copán Ruinas (Copan
Ruins HERE) are the jewel of the Mayan kingdom in Honduras. It
has one of the best preserved and biggest Maya temples in the world, dates back
to around 1000 BC and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mayans were a particularly
sophisticated civilization who spread widely across Central America, building
city states in their unique, geometric style of architecture. They were fascinated
by the stars and made complex and accurate predictions of astrological and planetary
movements that have astounded contemporary scientists. The
Ruins at Copán are set in a tranquil forest along the Copán River.
The impressive site features a hieroglyphic staircase, temples and numerous beautiful
carvings and stone sculptures. There is also a sculpture museum and a set of mysterious
tunnels. Copán itself is one of the more tranquil and pleasant towns to
visit in Honduras, with particularly good tourist facilities thanks to the ruins.
Lake
Yojoa, the largest in Honduras, covers an extinct volcano field and is easily
accessible from the main highway linking Tegucigalpa, the national capital, with
San Pedro Sula. See
Video HERE (Download
once, for smooth viewing)
The
awesome 2600-metre mountains of the Santa Barbara and Azul Meambar National Parks
protectively encircle Lago de Yojoa (Lake
Yojoa HERE), one of Honduras' points of outstanding natural beauty.
Nestled between mountains and two national parks, Lake Yojoa was originally inhabited
by Lenca in 1000 BC. Amidst the lush green surroundings, evidence of the existence
of a pre-Columbian community has been discovered on the shores of the lake, with
studies pointing to the ancient Lencan tribe. Aside from the anthropological aspect,
visitors are also attracted by the forest's 373 species of birds, and plentiful
opportunities for water sports. A peaceful trip out onto the lake in the old ferry
or one of the other boats for hire is recommended, especially at sunset.
Just
a thirty-minute drive from
Lake Yojoa you'll find the spectacular Catarata Pulhapanzak (Pulhapanzak
Waterfalls HERE), hidden away on a private finca (estate)
and sheltering a tranquil bathing spot which is open to the public for a small
fee. This Impressive falls is surrounded by a rustic park where the churning water
kicks up a cooling mist. There are remains of temples built by the Lencas who
inhabited the shores of Lake Yojoa in pre-Columbian times. Within the park you'll
find a restaurant, as well as swimming ponds and camping. During the week, it
is absolutely empty, giving the site a much more private feel.
Pulhapanzak
Falls is fed by Rio Lindo, bubbling from the ground as one of the many outlets
of Lake Yojoa. (Photo taken by my husband, Bruce, when we visited Honduras in
2002) See
Video HERE (Download
once, for smooth viewing)
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“My name is Dr. Barbara Sinor, I am collecting 'addiction stories' for
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