dreaming

in co-creating our ideal communities,

We need to stop having timid dreams, pale passions, and hesitant intentions. We need to embrace life with both arms, breathe in fully the universe's abundance of grace. We need to stop apologizing for wanting more.

~ gassho

i often wonder why so many of us keep our dreams small. i am always filled with awe and admiration for those that dream large, for those that aren't afraid to want more, and especially when they believe that they can have it.

on the plane home from israel (the new york to atlanta leg), i sat next to mike cumberbatch. recently he shared his dreams of returning gladness to the human heart. i received this email back in april and was so moved by his words. i want to share them with you because i value his perspective of nurturing LOVE and giving it at opportunity to grow. i want more of that in the world! in order to share this however, i have to confront a fear that i have of being egotistical. sometimes i'm hesitant about sharing stories of amazing experiences i have or meaningfully intimate words shared with me because i don't want others to think that i am full of my self, egotistical... you know the lot. well, i'm trying to get over this nasty little habit:

Hi Ashley,
Recently there are so many things happening worldwide that's upsetting and sad.

If there is any chance for gladness to return to the human heart I believe it must begin with a constant striving to be united with LOVE. Perhaps even in the light of all the evidence to the contrary wherever we find a beach-head of Love in ourselves or another we should be about nurturing it and giving it an opportunity to grow.

I am not suggesting denial of evil in the world, it's there. Instead I'm favoring putting our energies to doing those things that make for the upliftment of the human spirit.

You are one of those people like an oasis of goodness in a desert of pain.

All the best to you in your efforts to be all you can be

May God who is Love continue to richly bless you

Mike

honored and thrilled that i can be an oasis of goodness in a desert of pain, i also acknowledge the many reflections of goodness that are present in my virtual and physical communities (more recently mike wrote, "You fill me with hope for the future! There seems to be so many young people living their lives without reflection on the possibility of nobility. Then there's you and your friends! Thank you for intorducing me to your insights and those of your colleagues."). i extend this recognition to the collective YOU that are reading this and encourage us all to continue investing energy in the upliftment of the human spirit, being all that we can be, embracing life with both arms, breathing in fully the universe's abundance of grace, and dreaming grand dreams.