To me, what this film is documenting is the very thing that can bring transcending and fundamental changes in the world.  More than EVER, we need to spread awareness of this message…get involved in it…and encourage our friends, families, colleagues to join in.

I will tell you that doing this work for the past year has been an incredible experience.  Millions of people are shifting their habits, careers, and even their worldviews, and we need to rejoice in this global awakening!

Have you seen the Paul Hawken clip that describes THE SHIFT?  If not, check this out and begin seeing how real it is:

World’s Largest Social Movement

OK, so this is just a short post to ask that you to go to THE SHIFT site, http://www.theshiftmovie.com and sign up!

Today, the message for this powerful film and movement was finally released to a very large audience! Over 4 Million people know now about THE SHIFT…so lets give this movement some legs!

Also, for those of you bloggers, list owners, or just very popular people…please send this message around.  Vote on it on Digg, Stumble and all social networks!

Here are some links:

THE SHIFT on Digg

BRAND New Facebook Fan Page

Thanks everyone…this is going to be huge…it needs to be.  Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Todd

I would like to share this story with you and discuss how the caterpillar’s transformation is highly symbolic with what’s going on in our world today:

Imaginal Cells and Transcending Change

The genesis of the caterpillar’s transformation begins with the appearance of what scientists have termed “imaginal” cells. Researchers have no idea where these cells come from, or why they appear.

They are termed ‘imaginals’ because scientists can only hypothesize that their purpose is to ‘imagine’ something incredible that is about to happen.

At first, the imaginals are fought off and destroyed by the intelligence of the caterpillar organism. But the imaginals keep coming back and eventually form clusters of cells to strengthen their domain.

Soon the clusters form bonds where they pass genetic type information to one another. The clusters resonate at a higher frequency then their host and begin changing the physical make-up of the caterpillar.

At a certain point in time, the long string of clumping and clustering imaginal cells switches gears from simply being a group of like-minded cells into the programming cells of the butterfly. They literally reach a critical mass of influence where the caterpillar’s destiny is altered to become a butterfly.

The pictures on this page show the beginning of the physical transformation the caterpillar undergoes, and certainly connotes a temporary state of chaos.

What is happening amid this clump of goo is old caterpillar cells transforming into wing cells, into antenna cells, into digestive tract cells, and so on. A new consciousness being born…

Implications of Imaginal’s in Humanity

Many people believe that this story is highly symbolic of what is occurring in our world today, and how a more evolved experience is on the horizon for humanity.  Imaginal cells are clustering all over the globe, resonating at a higher frequency and bringing the light of a new consciousness to mankind.

We can see it tangibly by the countless people that are stepping out of their societal roles and doing things to help the collective good. We see it by innumerable organizations that are popping up with the sole mission of making the world a better place.

We can see it by books like A New Earth becoming international bestsellers for the first time in history. We can see it by mainstream icons like Oprah Winfrey taking this type of content and bringing it to the masses in unprecedented ways.

We can see it in the excitement that Barack Obama’s campaign is providing tens of millions of people with the simple message “we need to change things”. These are humanity’s imaginal cells manifesting and clustering.

They are resonating at a higher frequency and their purpose is to bring about a new consciousness to mankind where peace, sustainability and social justice become the norm.

Why Your Personal Growth Means So Much

In order for you to evolve within the collective movement, it is absolutely necessary for you to embrace your own spiritual development. The answers are not somewhere outside of you, but within the framework of your being.

Imaginal cells exist within your body right now, and are attempting to cluster together and help you increase your own consciousness. We The Change must begin with I The Change. The question is: are you allowing this to happen?

The spark for your individual transformation is all around you…all you have to do is look. Perhaps reading the words of this article will serve as an increase in awareness, and motivate you to expand your consciousness.

The point is, we must all become seekers of our own mission in life for a new global reality to take form. It is the only way…

What Our Collective Future Looks Like

Currently mankind resembles the clump of caterpillar goo shown on this page. There is internal conflict which is exemplified by great war, poverty and suffering that exists in our world.

But there are also clusters of imaginal cells emerging and organizing into stronger groups. The chaos we feel is part of the transformation process, as humanity is literally being pulled in two opposing directions as a rubber band being stretched to its max.

Our destiny is to emerge into a new realm of being, and we must each make the decision to either become a part of the new consciousness (butterfly) or stagnate with the dying way of things (caterpillar).

So allow yourself to cluster with the other imaginal cells, and “be the change you want to see in the world”. That’s really the best advise I can give

OK, keep your intrigue going and read these We The Change classics:

Healing From The Inside Out: A Remedy To Save The World
How To Find Your True Purpose
4 Pillars of Effective Personal Growth

Here are six reasons why hiking in the woods is a great thing to do, along with a few practical recommendations for getting the most out of the experience:

1. Notice How Everything is Perfect in Nature

As you become ensconced in the beauty of the woods, start noticing how there is no complaining.  Everything is the way it is, and there is 100% acceptance between all things.  And it’s a beautiful thing to realize. 

In my walk this morning, I came upon a massive rock that was somehow lodged underneath a huge tree.  When this first happened, it must have disrupted the natural energy flow of the tree.  But there was no animosity, and the tree continued to grow around and above the rock. 

The tree flourishes and beautiful moss now surrounds the rock.  I sat there for a long time looking at this incredible display.  What can we learn from this?

2. Notice How You Get Through It, No Matter What!

When walking in the woods, you will no doubt encounter rough areas where you have to be a little more careful.  Sometimes you may even lose your footing and fall.  But you always seem to make it through, don’t you? 

No matter how confused you are where your next step is going to come from, you consistently find a way and keep moving forward.  Such is the way of life, but we rarely see it that way. 

Learn from the microcosm of your hike that life always ends up OK—it ends up exactly the way it should be.

3. Go Wherever Your Feet Take You

One of the things I love to do is to let my body guide the direction.  Unless I am in real danger of getting lost, I allow my feet to just follow the path they desire without thinking “is this right” or “maybe I should go this way”. 

This is a wonderfully freeing way to go for a walk, one that re-establishes connection with that little thing inside of you called intuition.  Your body is smarter than your mind gives it credit for…so give the chatterbox a break for a few hours and let the intelligence of your inner you lead the way.

4. Follow The Path, OR Don’t Follow The Path

When you follow your feet, sometimes it leads off the pre-existing path.  This is OK, and if your body is pulling you in that direction I encourage you to go for it (unless, of course, it is potentially unsafe)!  Think about your life—isn’t it sometimes beneficial for you to create a new pathway for greater fulfillment and success to abound? 

Other times it is certainly better to stay on the path.  The important lesson to learn is how to listen within, and cultivate powerful instincts about things.  A walk in the woods can help you do this…

5. Are You a Leader or a Follower?

If you walk with someone, notice the difference between leading the way and following behind.  Which do you like better?  Sometimes I love leading the way because then I get to choose the direction and see new phenomena first.  Other times I enjoy being behind someone and letting them make all the decisions. 

Notice how your preferences constantly change, as they do in your every day life.  Realize that you are neither a leader nor a follower, but a little bit of both depending on the situation.

6. Pay Attention To Your Internal Body

After walking in silence for some time, I enjoy turning my attention inward and feeling my breath, heartbeat and feet as they hit the ground.  This can be a transcending experience and often leads to a moment of clarity for me. 

Why?  Because when the peacefulness of nature enters the bodily domain a sudden flash of awareness strikes that reminds me that we are not separate, lonely entities roaming the planet for a short and meaningless time. 

On the contrary, I get the sense of ultimate connectedness with all things—with nature, with myself, and with my inner purpose. 

Now that’s what I call a nice walk in the park…    

Picture above by Photocello2006

Within the last two days, information about an incredible movie has been brought to my attention twice. It is called “The Shift Movie” and encapsulates much of what I am doing here on We The Change, as well as what so many others are doing all over the world. Take 5 minutes and watch this very moving trailer:

Isn’t that incredible? I felt compelled to share this with you to close out the week. Have a great weekend everyone!

Todd

ps. I emailed the creator/director of this movie and she mentioned they are in the process of raising money to finish the movie. If you know anyone who invests in projects like these, please let me know and perhaps I can connect them with the creator. Let’s help get this thing out there!

I do not follow politics very closely and like many people, my impression of politicians is negative.  I think of them as people who spend most of their time figuring out what “the majority” wants to hear, and crafting careful messages to get what they want personally—more money, more power and more votes.

Perhaps I am grossly generalizing, but I feel as though most of the present-day politicians are much more concerned about their image and their success and their “place in history” as opposed to the future they have a major stake in determining.

Although it is certainly not my intention for WTC to be a political depot, my gut instinct is telling me that we are at a critical point in human history, and we are in dire need of special leaders—people who are willing to step away from the current tide of corruption, negligence, and selfishness and who are willing to make tough decisions.

We require leaders who are willing to challenge what has become “traditional” ways of doing things and set the pendulum swinging in the direction of more realistic and sustainable platforms.

Here are 6 additional characteristics of a leader, or leaders, that we so desperately need:

They Have Incredible Perspective

And I am not talking in the 4-8 year timeframe, but in the 100, 500 and even 1000 year timeframe!  Who is smart enough, and brave enough, to look beyond tomorrow’s approval poll, stock market performance, and wartime death count?  We desperately need someone who will stand up and admit that many of our current social, economic and political structures are completely unsustainable, and spark the creation of more sustainable and realistic solutions!

They Perservere Through Major Conflict And Even Upheaval

We need people who are not afraid to go against the flow, and have perseverance to get through initial struggle.  Why?  Because changing fundamental systems is a daunting task, and there will be resistance and conflict.  That is why we need someone special—a leader who has the uncanny ability to explain to the world why such steps are necessary.

Willing to Speak the Truth

Its time for our leadership to step to the plate and talk to the world honestly.  There is way too much ambiguity and deception in politics (perhaps there always has been), and fundamental change can happen at a faster rate when the people with the biggest microphones are the ones initiating it!  People want to hear the truth, and its time that our political leaders start telling it to us.

Willing to ACT and Make Tough Decisions

We require leaders who are not afraid to take action.  When in candidacy, aspiring political leaders seem to promise the world to everyone and then deliver very little when in office.  It’s time for the charade to end as there are way too many political, social and economic systems falling apart all around the world.  Whoever wins the next U.S. election should be prepared to address the most critical issues humanity has ever faced.

Not Afraid to Really Address The Environmental Issue

To take the last point a step further, it is clear that Planet Earth is sick and human activity is a major cause.  Even though encouraging strides are being made, and the issue has gained considerable momentum, it necessitates a much greater sense of urgency.  Will we be looking back one day, not many years from now, asking ourselves “man, there was so much more we could have done to prevent this”?  We need leaders who are willing to do whatever it takes, right now, to address the environment on a more global scale.

They Have a Spiritual Understanding of the World

Lastly, it would be refreshing if our political leaders would integrate a bit of humanity and spirituality in their communication with the world.  For too long the ancient and timeless connection between all people and things has been ignored by modern-day politicians.  And I am not talking about religion, which seems to be used as a tool by political candidates.  I am talking about spirituality and consciousness. 

Perhaps in 2008, some individual or group of individuals will come along and prove to have some of these valuable and unique traits.  We desperately need it.

From the 10,000 foot level we have become so ingrained with the belief that “someone else or something else can solve all our problems” that we have forgotten to look within ourselves for the answers. 

You may be scared to hear this, but the only person that can ever truly make you happy, healthy, fulfilled and at peace is YOU.  Similarly, the only thing that you truly have control over with regards to generating positive change in the world is YOU. 

There is no magic pill, no savior and no external remedy that you need now or will ever need.  Any time spent wishing, hoping and lamenting about external solutions is non-productive and reactionary. 

Healing must start from the inside—it will become transparent on the outside once it takes form from a place within.  Let me give you some tangible examples of what I mean:

Healing the Environment from the Inside Out

If you have a strong penchant for saving the planet, then the first thing you should do is look to your OWN actions as opposed to blaming lack of quality leadership, lack of funds, lack of time, etc…on existing conditions.  Every time you feel your mind being pulled in the direction that some insurmountable external factors are 100% causing the problems, pull yourself back to the present moment and ask yourself “what can I do right now to make a positive impact”? 

This is healing from the inside out, and creating the habit of being present and acting in this manner is the answer that you are so desperately searching.

Healing Your Health from the Inside Out

If you are one of hundreds of millions worldwide citizens with weight problems, you might feel that a) healthy foods are not readily available to you b) you don’t earn enough money to eat healthy c) you don’t have enough time to exercise.  Although these sentiments might be very real to you, they also levy any responsibility YOU have for helping yourself lose weight. 

“How can I lose weight amid such conditions” will be your battle cry and you will almost certainly remain as you are.  Or, alternatively, you may find some quick fix solution that allows you to lose weight temporarily but never broaches the real cause of your overweight condition.  Only through an examination of your internal thoughts and actions, and habituating the art of staying present, can you experience a sustainable remedy. 

This is healing from the inside out, and is a mindset that can be applied to your personal state of well-being as well as to more global conditions.

Healing Your Relationships from the Inside Out

Too many modern-day relationships are marked by anxiety and struggle.  We often think to ourselves, “oh, if only such-and-such person was a different way things would be better for me”.  Truthfully the only thing that will make things better for you is an honest examination of what is going inside your head.  The little chatterbox that causes the internal stress is the genesis of your failing relationships and NOT other people. 

This may be hard to understand, and hard to hear, but it is most certainly true.  Healing from the inside out, when it comes to relationships, transpires through staying present and taking note of the damaging thoughts concerning others that we have become so used to. 

Self Realization is the First Step to Healing from the Inside Out

I can feel some of you cringing in dis-belief as you are reading these words, and feeling that “yes, this is all well and good, but it is not real life—the situations that I am in, and that the world is in, are very real and need to be dealt with accordingly”.  When these thoughts enter your mind, remember that this brand of thinking is what has led you, and the world, into the situations you/we are trying to resolve.  In fact, NOT realizing this is pure madness, no?

There is a better way, and it begins with the philosophy of healing from the inside out.  Only through examination of your internal state of being can you attain personal joy, health and success while at the same time contribute to a collective healing of the world and universe we all thrive.

How do you start doing it, and living in this way?  You become conscious of your mind, and you become aware of its self-deprecating thoughts.  You begin to see how the never-ending chatterbox is always pulling you away from an examination of what lies within you, and is always searching for something on the outside to substantiate itself.  You start realizing that this inner voice has pulled a great illusion and made you believe that its dialogue is the real you.

“The predominance of mind is no more than a stage in the evolution of human consciousness.  We need to go on to the next stage now as a matter of urgency otherwise, we will be destroyed by the mind, which has grown into a monster”

–Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Once you catch even a glimpse of this reality you start becoming more present, and you allow yourself to be healed from the inside.  This is a very real and transcending experience, and is the essence of healing that can remedy your life and the world around you.

BUT, My Life Is Fine!

You may be thinking “well, my life is pretty good, I am generally happy and I don’t really have a need to change my whole way of being as you are suggesting”.  True, the mind that we have become accustomed to as being “us” can also generate feelings of happiness, fulfillment and success. 

But these moments are temporary, and the short-lived feelings of the mind pale in comparison to the enduring peace and joy that arise through present moment awareness and consciousness.  Even if the mind is telling you that you are happy and content, it is usually a function of some external experience that it is currently ensconced and “enjoying”. 

Remember, the answers are not somewhere “out there”, they are already within you.  Healing begins with presence, right here, right now.

I hope this article was motivating and inspires you to start looking internally instead of externally when problems arise in your life and in the world around you.  I look forward to your comments! 

My friend Peter over at I Will Change Your Life wrote an excellent article last week titled:  50 Tips From My Year of Change.

I enjoyed this piece not only because it gave some excellent advice, but also because it provided a very clear synopsis of what Peter, and his blog, is all about.  To me the best blogs are personal, not abstract, and places where you get a very clear sense of who the writer is and what issues are most important to them. 

With that said, I would like to share with you 8 realizations that I have learned since I started We The Change four short months ago.   These sentiments represent my own personal growth during this time and also exemplify the core philosophy of this website (at least to this point).

As always, please feel free to share your own thoughts and realizations in the comment field below.

Making a habit to think positively is not only possible, but is an activity that can change your life!

This is one of the most important lessons I learned in 2007.  Although it takes some perseverance in the beginning, understanding how to think positively is very realistic and do-able for anyone that sets their mind to it.  To create this habit, please check out 7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking and How to Break Out of Bad Habits Using Affirmations.

“Spirituality” is a very real phenomenon and can transcend your life and the world around you

Each day I feel as though I am becoming more “spiritual” and it all begins with being more conscious.  To me, once you get the smallest sense of this type of awareness, there is no going back.  What do I mean by “this type of awareness”?  For further explanation, browse through 12 Easy Ways to Become More Conscious and The Path to a Spiritual Life in 6 Simple Steps.

Being productive is really a measure of happiness

Through the creation of We The Change, and from the incredible connections I have made with readers and other bloggers, I have learned that the more productive I am, the more successful and fulfilled I feel.  Clutter and dis-organization are huge roadblocks to success and fulfillment.  To learn more about goal setting and productivity, check out 8 Unique Ways to Increase Productivity and my recent article How To Set Fantastic, Achievable Goals for 2008.

Shedding fear and expounding your personal information (and views) to the world is one of the most liberating activities you can ever experience

Recently, I published a very personal article where I wrote my own eulogy.  The wonderful response I received from readers and bloggers alike reminded me that we are all human, and that there is a very real inter-connectedness that exists between all things.  When you let go of the inhibiting mindset (and fear) that people are always judging you, it frees you to create beautiful things.

Information regarding proper nutrition and healthy eating habits are gaining such popularity because they are basic human quests

Food makes us feel connected to each other, to the world, and to the universe at large, and some of my most popular articles have concerned food.  This does not surprise me because food is so personal, and is such a powerful symbol of our inter-connectedness.  The 5 Greatest Foods for your Health and my article on Phytonutrients were spread all around the internet.  I will always write about food and nutrition, because it is such an integral component to our happiness.

Awareness of the environment and nature is the very essence of being alive

I am so thankful that we are living in a time where consciousness about the environment is exploding.  Transcending change is occurring right here, right now and I have tried to contribute my part with 40 Ways You Can Save The Environment and An Interview With Al Gore’s Climate Project.

The internet is a supremely powerful tool that symbolizes universal inter-connectivity

Ever since I have become ensconced in blogging, it has opened my eyes to all of the wonderful people and organizations who want to lead better lives and make positive change in the world we all live.  They are everywhere, literally, and it gives me great hope for the future.  Do we need better organizing structures and greater awareness?  Probably, and for more info please read Why Blogging and Social Networking Can Save The World and my article regarding the future of technology.

Treating the body well with physical activity is essential for a healthy mind and a healthy planet

How can we expect the world to be healed if our individual bodies are in disarray?  The answer is, we can’t.  Proper physical exercise is SO essential, and I encourage you to read my article on how to build stamina as well as visit Straight to the Bar.

Additionally, I mentioned my friend Peter at the beginning of this article, and he is one of MANY wonderful people and bloggers I have met over the last several months.  I have some other friends listed in my blogroll section, and I encourage you to check out all of their wonderful websites. 

There are a few other high quality blogs I have encountered, and I would like to share with you some of the best:

Juice of Champions– Brad always has some wonderful things to say

Gratitude Magic– I am grateful for having met Akemi and her great blog

Urban Monk– Albert is a spiritualist and a great writer

Heal Pain– Jenny Mannion provides some fantastic tips on health and wellness

Green Options– my friend Jeff really, really cares about the environment and has some excellent info here

Think Simple Now– super inspiring site run by Tina

Change Your Tree– Kevin has done a terrific job with his new blog

Moving From Me To We– Kare has a great concept going on…

Anja Merret is always “chatting to her generation”

Enjoy!!