In darkness you find light

This past week I had an opportunity to experience what it feels like to be visually impaired. This experience was through a unique dinner event at O'Noir. A neat little restaurant that was established to allow people to feel what life would be like blind. The concept was created by a gentleman who was blind, and he would blindfold guests who came to his home for dinner .He wanted them to  appreciate his world. It was his way of inviting them to learn what his life was like now that he had lost his sight. What better way to teach someone, allow them to walk in your shoes for a even a brief moment in time.
 You are lead into a completely pitch dark room, by your waiter. I do mean pitch dark, there wasn't an ounce of light to be found, at one point I put my hand in front of my face and couldn't see it. I have to say that was a little freaky deaky!!! The waiter I should also mention is blind. Your waiter talks you through how the evening is going to unfold and from the moment you enter the dining room until you leave , you relinquish control to the unknown.
You have no idea who is in the room with you, other than the people you came with, you have no idea what anyone looks like, what your food looks like, the dishes, table, floor. The environment in which you are in is completely unknown.
For me, it didn't take long to realize when you lose one sense how quickly another becomes intensified. My sense of hearing was one that I had to rely on for two reasons, to listen to the waiters instructions and secondly, to enjoy the company of the people I was with. The same feelings were felt as everyone had to quickly learn to get over the anxiety of being in the dark and surrender to the change that was before us.
The other unique thing that struck me was, I am a left handed person but when it came to eat, my right hand took over as I felt the need to touch my food and feel my way around the table. It became important to remember the placement of everything on the table and you had to rely on the company you were with to help you.
Our waiter was patient, funny and he graciously talked us thru every step of the way helping to remove any anxiety people were feeling.
I knew going into the evening there was going to be something for me to learn, and learn I did.

• Be grateful for and value the beauty that surrounds us each and every day
• Remember the importance of tolerance and patience
• Everyone has something to learn from someone
• We rely on each other more than we realize 
• We can adapt to change 
• The unknown if we have the courage to face it, can bring about many wonderful experiences
• Its fun eating chocolate mousse cake with your hands!!!
• Sight is one sense...listening and touch are two senses this world needs more of..it allows you to see with your heart and not your eyes and that can make a world of difference!!

If you have an opportunity to take in a new experience....GO FOR IT!!! 

EASTER Reflection

Happy Easter Everyone. I have to confess I am not an overly religious person in the sense I go to church and follow the formal teachings of the bible but I do believe I am a spirtual person who believes greatly in a higher power. Today, for most kids its about the Easter Bunny , easter treats and having dinner with family it is important to remember the spirit of what this day is about.

While I was sitting outside in my comfy chair , chillaxin and reading I came across a poem that inspired me to write and share.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of they friends or thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee"

This piece was written by John Donne an English poet, known as one of the finest metaphysical poets so they say. I still haven't figured out who "they" are but they must be important.

What I found inspiring about reading this was the explanation that followed from Dr. Wayne Dwyer. To sum up in the coles notes version : Our ego often insists that we are separate from others. Boy that is true. I hear it all the time.

To state the case that to acheive greater awareness and bliss in our lives we have to understand we are all connected, and to do this we must first look at our own body. Our body's do not exist as a separate organism but rather all of our organs, fluids, bacteria etc are all working together to form our body and keep us healthy. No cell in our body works alone. Cells in your liver never meet the cells in your mouth, yet they are connected and important to your entire body function. True isn't it? I have to say up to this day I never looked at this way.

Think about a drop of water as it comes out of your tap..not that powerful but put that drop into the ocean and see how it returns to its powerful state when joined with other water molecules.

This is where I was hooked. I have always listened to the teachings the ocean can bring.

The native americans also understand the importance of oneness by the saying" No tree has branches so foolish as to fight among themselves"

Seeing ourselves as islands that are not part of the whole stops us from experiencing the richest and fullest experiences in our lives. Based on my own life experiences I would tend to agree wit this. If you can see yourself connected to humanity , you begin to stop judging others and see people as an extention of yourself. You become kinder, compassionate.

Having the ablity to view all others as family members rather than competitors or enemies, we start to reach out with love, and compassion rather then out of defensive. Think about that for a moment!

Pretty deep for a Sunday morning..however relevant to this day I believe. We are all family and when you find it in your heart to begin to see life this way you start to look at things differently. The homeless person on the street ..where you once may have passed judgement or thought just go get a job..in a mystical way you are connected with them and look at their poverty , poor health etc as impacting yourself..you can vow to use your own gifts to help end such conditions that exist.

I know I for when..when I see this It reminds me how we all need each other and we are more connected than we even know.

Wishing you a warm and peaceful Easter!

xo