Category: Accountability

The Great Potato Fall!

Potatoes Image

Yes – that’s the title of this Blog and it contains a great lesson of “Slow down, look where you’re going – and some things don’t have the importance you think they should.”  

Back in January of 2004, my eldest niece, Sherrie, was working and living with me for a time in West Hollywood. I adore all my four nieces, and it was beautiful to have that time with her. I wanted to prepare her a special dinner that night of this “fall” and had everything planned perfectly – except at the last minute and I realized I wanted baked potatoes – OMG – no potatoes and I wanted her to walk in the apartment with the heavenly smells of dinner and those baked potatoes.

I got into my car and headed immediately to the market – time was so crucial! I quickly got out of my car and rushed across the parking lot to get the potatoes in the oven. However, I tripped on a curb guard and went down with a grand splat! I thought I heard a bone crack but thought I’ll just have a bad bruise. Getting up was another stark reality – the pain was suddenly excruciating, and I was not able to pull myself up. People began to gather, and a packing boy came out to me. The first thing I tried to do was reach into my wallet to give him cash to go in and get the potatoes for me. He said in a very compassionate way – “I don’t think you’re going anywhere, an ambulance is on its way.” From that moment on – the sacred vision of my niece walking into the beautiful aromas of that dinner faded and to the hospital I went.

I was able to call my niece and let her know – hey – I took a fall – I am not at home!

The surgeon indicated that I had a broken femur, and my hip might need replacement. Fortunately, they did not need to replace the hip, but the recovery process was substantial. I required the use of a catheter temporarily until I could resume normal activities. It took over two months before I was able to return home and navigate the stairs to my apartment.

I stayed with my Beloved friend Dr. Elizabeth Marshall in Simi Valley. There were sacred moments in that healing time – the tender care from Dr. Elizabeth, prayers and love from my congregation, friends, and peers. My niece was fully supportive through this healing journey – as well as my other niece, Terrie and my great niece and nephews.

Elizabeth had a mixed breed white dog named Roscoe. Every night, Roscoe would wait by my bedroom door and accompany me to the bathroom whenever I needed to go. What pure love that was to feel and experience.

The most beautiful event was a visit from my friend Joe LaSalle, a physical trainer and amputee. He visited my church one morning in his wheelchair and offered to assist with my full recovery. My insurance would not cover ongoing therapy – Joe was my miracle worker to see me fully healed. He gave me the exercises to practice daily, and I healed fully. At 83 I still jump up and down with JOY whenever I feel that energy to express.

This “potato fall splat” highlighted health and life transitions for all splats. Slow down – look at what really matters – walking for that potato would have been such a kinder experience for my niece to come home to and step back from the sense of urgency whenever possible!

There are urgent moments – catastrophic disasters – urgent care, however, in the daily journey of life we create urgencies that do not exist. Breathe – place your hand on your heart – step back – and allow yourself to lift that stress and reclaim your inner power and strength,   

Our deeper soul work doesn’t have to take place out of splats – but from ongoing daily tender care and mindfulness. I seek to live from that Truth – and see the miracles that carried me through that great potato fall!

Image by Alexei from Pixabay

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Mind Your Own Becoming (MYOB) – A Soulful Reflection 2025 and Ongoing ACCOUNTABILITY!

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Join Us on Mind Your Own Becoming Thursdays

We are entering our 5th Year of MYOB. This journey began with the impact of 2020 COVID, and the ongoing injustice and brutality brought to our attention in ways we could not look the other way through the murder of George Floyd. Our belief in “others” – those with privilege, others not, our conscious and unconscious prejudices could not be ignored. It was time to face uncomfortable conversations together regarding our history and how we see one another. That was the beginning of Mind Your Own Becoming and countless groups across the country that began.

We have had extraordinary stories in these years, which encompassed not only black/brown abuse, but LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and touching upon violence and mental health issues. At the heart of MYOB is the essential reality – until we are willing to do the deeper soul work of accountability for what we pass on to future generations, nothing changes.

The Indigenous practices of being cognizant of what we are passing on to seven generations plus is something not evident in our American history – or in the world. We all matter in this awakening because we can only evolve together – or NOT. We create Healing bridges with a thimble full of willingness to listen to one another.

MYOB is about the invitation that we can come to know one another authentically, and compassionately through Awareness, Education, Action, and Accountability to open to new perspectives of healing and understanding.

In all I have absorbed in new awareness in these past four years of MYOB – I choose to not define myself by a pronoun although I celebrate the right we have to do so. I am stepping back from defining myself politically and choosing to be more aware of extremes on both sides. I want to see history truthfully. My personal charge is to clear my current prejudices and false judgments about myself and others, and carry forward regard, compassion, and love for all – without exception.

How I live daily impacts those around me through my care, loving, forgiving of myself and others. Humanity is capable of brutality and abuse beyond absorbing. It is also capable of the most profound beauty and magnificence we can imagine. May we plant seeds for future generations to Awaken to their innate beauty and carry forward – seven generations plus!

Do consider joining us on Thursdays on MYOB pm ET and view my weekly blogs on our website.

With Love, Charles

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Authoring Our Own Life – Our Soul Purpose in BEING!

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I am placing this in the category of “Accountability” – as this is what I am responsible for through my Words, Deeds and Actions and what I contribute to the world consciousness.

With all that is occurring on a planetary level, it is more vital than ever that we take charge of our lives by authoring new stories of healing, compassion, and regard for ourselves and one another.

I believe I must look at the terrorist thoughts and prejudices within myself that support the race consciousness of inequities, and heartbreaking visons we are seeing, not only in our country – but in a world that has yet to awaken to the messages of the great mystics that have sought to convey the reality, we are all One in this incredible diversity called humanity. 

From the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your might; this is the first commandment,  And the second is like to it, You must love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.” Matthew 22:37 – Lamsa Translation – From the Aramaic language Jesus spoke.

My concept of “God” is not an anthropomorphic being – rather an intelligence, and unconditional love that is the innate reality of what I have come from — pure star dust. I have choice as to the pages I write and the story I carry forward.

I know the terror thoughts I have held – above all against myself, I know the seeds of prejudice that I inherited – and much of my self-loathing rooted in my own self-condemnation from those prejudices.

The greatest destructive pandemic worldwide we face is our ignorance, our prejudices, self-entitlements, and unwillingness to reach out to one another to build bridges of compassion, forgiveness, and healing,

I am in the closing chapters of my life, and am very aware of that reality, however, if I have the gift of aging, it’s about all generations working together for a new world vision. May I be ever mindful of the energy and vibration I contribute daily – every step I take and everywhere I go, May I listen to the youth of today and treasure where I am in this hour of my life – to plant seeds of healing for all, without exception and for the future.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Awakening!

Awakening image

I am offering a brief prose with the focus on our Awakening – individually and collectively and the importance of the energy vibration we bring daily as we awaken and enter our day. It’s our Accountability individually and collectively for what we give to the evolution of all humanity.

Every morning let your energy be an enthused awakening with your first focus on Gratitude. Prioritize time for quietude and soulful reading and exercise.

Remember – though it may be a thimble full – the vibration you bring does contribute to the world consciousness. May I carry the charge to Awaken to what I bring with every step I take into this day and wherever I go. May those I encounter feel better because I crossed their path.

Our world is crying out to Awaken – let that be my soul and sole purpose – my own Awakening! Below is a Prayer for our Times!

May I/We Awaken!

I open my mind – that I might see.
Truth that will liberate and free,
With an open heart ready to be,
A part of a new world story
Believing we all belong
There are no “others” we are One.
Silence of the past is not the path,
Nor shame or guilt for anyone,
Nor ongoing seeds of hatred,
Rather, opening to what is sacred.

Accountability for what we carry forward.

Awakening so –
Future generations behold a new dawn.
Where ongoing ignorance and prejudice is gone.
Where equity, compassion, are for all.
Building bridges not walls.
May I own my part through the seeds I plant.
That heart-to-heart I may implant.
I want for you what I want for me –
Simply, purely, the right to exist, to be free.
And discover the true meaning of liberty.
As we travel together, we all might see,
The wonder and beauty in you and me,   
In that remembrance we all have a right to be!
May I/We Awaken!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Acceptance

breathe image

Acceptance is a vital word in the soul evolution of our lives. It does not mean resignation but being aware of: Change is the constant and aligning to that change is not giving up but being open to seeing things with new perspective and purpose.

The outcome of the election 2024 was not what I wanted to see, however, it is what I must open to observe with insight. I am not viewing those with differing views as my enemies. It is unfortunate that we have become so divided into extreme views that we believe building walls are more important than bridges.

In the awakenings that are occurring within me on a deeper level than ever I realize the true enemy is within. Self-condemnation. unforgiveness, the terrorist racist, and anger/rage stored within me is a vibrational energy that I contribute to the world daily. I am choosing to clear the intensity of those unconscious beliefs stored within my body and realize Charles is worth loving and so is every other being on this planet, without exception. We are dark and light, and only by seeing ourselves in the fullness of our being do we rise to contribute authentic healing energy for all.

A brief soulful video on Acceptance:

Tara Talks: Radical Acceptance is a Prerequisite for Change

I choose to see humanity evolving – no matter what the appearance. I choose to believe that the ultimate reality is Love, and that miraculous things can emerge out of chaos. That has been true in my life journey. As I was willing to be the observer of my life and take new accountability for (not judgment of) my words, deeds, and actions, I do see things in new awareness. My sole purpose – Mind my own Becoming – do self-forgiveness and make amends wherever I can. At the root of all humanity is a quest for love, freedom to be, and the opportunity to express the gifts we can bring to one another.

Acceptance of the outcome of the election is realizing we are a house divided as a nation. I also have been in a house divided as to how I have seen myself. I can create new awareness through listening compassionately to others. It’s more important that I open to new insight than have the need to be right!

Acceptance is loving who I am with all my imperfection and celebrating building bridges that enable me to see we are all on this evolutionary journey as Spirit in human form – together!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Stand For Enlightenment

Accountability and Forgiveness

“True forgiveness deals with the past, all the past, to make the future possible. We cannot go on nursing grudges even vicariously for those who cannot speak for themselves any longer. We have to accept that we do what we do for generations past, present and yet to come. That is what makes a community a community or a people a people – for better or for worse.”
– Desmond Mpilo Tutu.

I Am Accountable to Future Generations

I am accountable for what I pass on and how deeply I have come to insight into my own life in forgiving and seeking healing wherever I could. I know my ancestors are cheering me on to see things differently and to own my accountability to the present moment and to future generations.

I have sought to make amends where I recognized the pain that I caused in judgments I see very differently at this time of my life. I also realize my excessive drinking was the root of the darkest moments of my life, as I sought to escape the judgement and condemnation, I held against myself.

Make the Soulful Inquiries

We are living in an illumined time that is requiring we see ourselves profoundly differently. No one has privilege or entitlement above another. There are no others – just us – finding our way to evolve humanity – or not.

We are also in a time that seeing things with accountability individually and collectively means we are open to truthful history and realizing what equity means for all – opportunity without exception. What we do with that equity is everyone’s personal soul journey.

The soulful inquiries I make are not about being the judge and executioner of my own life – rather – the compassionate observer bringing recognition of seeing things in new awareness – forgiving and living from a higher perspective of myself and others.

One simply ongoing inquiry – “What’s mine to be and bring to this day that impacts all with a sense of personal value and respect – above all myself.”

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Accountability

Hands Holding Plant

Accountability is a key word within my soul. We have the opportunity in our world today to be observant of Truth and lies that has not existed previously. We are accountable for what we pass on to future generations.

As a species we are capable of incredible beauty and depth in what we bring to one another and what we create and there is also the horror and unimaginable cruelty and pain we bring that is the result of our ongoing ignorance and the destruction we invoke.

IT’S HOW I SEE THE WORLD

We also live in a world that pre-defines roles, has caste systems, and believes that one faith, one path, one race has superiority. I realize being white, that I was born into privilege and entitlement that I took for granted. We learned history from a white supremacy perspective that was rooted in control and limiting what black/brown and all minorities could accomplish. Equity – though spoken of – was not for all. My accountability in this present time is to value how I live and seek to bring love and compassion to all – without exception. It’s how I see the world now that plants the seed for the future.

My soul work in this hour is the non-profit forum – Mind Your Own Becoming – From our MYOB website:

“The greatest changes historically have been when as a society we can no longer process the pain and inequities we see. When we are open to confront, no matter how uncomfortable, our own inherent racism and entitlements based on a sense of “superiority,” gender, or ethnic prejudices, and be accountable for the thoughts we carry – healing and new understanding can emerge. We can authentically begin to bring about a world vision of love and regard for everyone, without exception. And this is a multi-generational call to action.”

Accountability is being cognizant of seeking Truth historically and passing on to future generations a world where there is equity to be our authentic selves contributing to enrichment and empowerment for all.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.