Καθώς συλλογιζόμουν, σε μια συγκεκριμένη στιγμή είδα καθαρά τι αναζητούσα σε ολόκληρη τη ζωή μου; σε όλες τις αρχές που επιδίωξα να ακολουθήσω και όλα τα πρότυπα που καθόρισα για τον εαυτό μου, σε όλα τα έτη μελέτης μου, σε όλα αυτά που αρνήθηκα τη σάρκα μου, σε όλα αυτά που έδωσα, σε όλα αυτά που έγραψα και έπαιξα και τραγούδησα, σε όλα αυτά που μίλησα και δεν μίλησα, σε όλα αυτά που πίστεψα και δεν πίστεψα, αφορούσαν την αγάπη! Όλα για να γίνουν αγάπη και να ζήσω κάθε στιγμή της ζωής μου μόνο από το νόμο της αγάπης. Εκείνη ακριβώς την στιγμή συνειδητοποίησα ότι το να καταλαβαίνεις την αγάπη σημαίνει να καταλαβαίνεις όλα τα πράγματα και άλλαξα για πάντα.

Δεν μπορώ να εξηγήσω πώς είναι να καταλαβαίνεις όλα τα πράγματα μέσω της αγάπης. Είναι απλά κάτι στο οποίο πρέπει να πιστεύεις προκειμένου να αρχίσεις να βλέπεις και να βιώνεις την αλήθεια και την ομορφιά στη ζωή. Αναγνωρίζεται από τα παιδιά της, γι’αυτό πήγαινε και εσύ γύρισε μαζί της στο χωράφι, φάε τα φρούτα απο το δέντρο της και τότε θα καταλάβεις. Μέσω της αγάπης σας λέω ότι έχω καταλάβει καλύτερα ένα έμβρυο, τα μωρά, τα παιδιά, τους άνδρες, τις γυναίκες, τους πολιτισμούς , τις γλώσσες , την επικοινωνία, την προοπτική, τα αγαθά, το κακό, το φως, το σκοτάδι, την αλήθεια, το μίσος, την εξαπάτηση, τον χρόνο, το διάστημα, την θεότητα, την δημιουργία, τον σκοπό, την τέχνη, την μουσική, την επιστήμη, την ιστορία, το μέλλον, τον πόνο, τον θάνατο, την ζωή, την φιλία, την ιατρική, την υγεία, την ασθένεια, την ευημερία, τον γάμο, το διαζύγιο, την τεχνολογία, την ελευθερία, τις ανθρώπινες αισθήσεις, το νερό, την πυρκαγιά, τα ζώα, τα λουλούδια, τα χρώματα, και πολλά περισσότερα..

Πιστεύω ότι στα βάθη της αγάπης ζούν οι αλήθειες όλης της δημιουργίας του απέραντου σύμπαντος – θεραπείες για κάθε ασθένεια και αρρώστια , απαντήσεις σε κάθε διανοητή ερώτηση, απόψεις σε άλλες διαστάσεις.. Η αγάπη είναι η ισχυρότερη δύναμη και δεν μπορεί να μετρηθεί γιατί είναι άπειρη και αιώνια. Η αγάπη είναι η ουσία απο την οποία το φώς και η αλήθεια είναι φτιαγμένα και είναι αυτή που από την ευλογημένη μήτρα της γεννιούνται όλες οι αρετές

Πιστεύω ότι η αγάπη είναι όλα. … όλα αυτά που ελπίζουμε αληθινά και ελπίζουμε να γίνουμε, όλα αυτά που αναζητάμε σε αυτήν την ζωή. Πολλοί ακολουθούν τη δύναμη και τα χρήματα και το sex και την ομορφιά και την αποδοχή και την αναγνώριση και τη φήμη και τη γνώση… αλλά στην πραγματικότητα κάθε άνθρωπος αναζητά την αγάπη, απλά αγάπη. Δεν υπάρχει τίποτα σπουδαιότερο από την αγάπη. Η αγάπη είναι η ίδια η ουσία της ζωής και η αγάπη είναι ο ίδιος ο λόγος για τη ζωή. Ακόμα κι άν τα έχουμε όλα και μας λείπει η αγάπη, τότε δεν έχουμε τίποτα. Παρομοίως , εάν δεν έχουμε τίποτα και έχουμε μόνο αγάπη, τα έχουμε όλα. Χωρίς αγάπη, πεθαίνουμε.

Δεν είμαι τέλειος ούτε παντογνώστης , αλλά η αγάπη είναι, και το αίμα της διατρέχει τώρα των φλεβών μου – καθαρίζοντας την καρδιά και το μυαλό μου, διδάσκοντας μου την αλήθεια, που αλλάζει τα μάτια μου, καθοδηγώντας τα χέρια μου, κατευθύνοντας την πορεία μου, που προστατεύει το μέλλον και το πεπρωμένο μου. Τώρα, όλα αυτά που πιστεύω είναι η αγάπη. Την βρήκα και δεν θα την αφήσω ποτέ.

Η αγάπη είναι ένα παγκόσμιο δώρο για όλους μας και είναι το μέγιστο δώρο όλων! Τώρα, εξαρτάται από τον κάθε έναν από μας να αφήσει τις πράξεις να οδηγηθούν προς αυτό το δώρο. Είναι κάτι που αποφασίζουμε εκατοντάδες φορές την ημέρα. Όλες οι πράξεις της σκέψης, της λέξης, καταλήγουν σε μία απο τις δύο κατηγορίες: Την αγάπη ή τον εγωισμό. Σκεφτείτε καλά αυτό που λέω για ένα έτος ή δύο ή δέκα και θα καταλήξετε στο συμπέρασμα οτι δεν υπάρχει τίποτα κοινό μεταξύ τους.. Σε κάθε δευτερόλεπτο της ζωής μας έχουμε μια επιλογή για να ενεργήσουμε με τον εγωισμό ή με την αγάπη.

Εάν επιθυμείς να είσαι αυτός που πραγματικά είσαι και να εκπληρώσεις το σκοπό της ύπαρξής σου τότε σου λέω φίλε μου, κοίτα προς την αγάπη, ακολούθησε την αγάπη με όλα όσα έχεις μέσα σου, εγκατέλειψε τα πάντα για την αγάπη και θα βρείς αυτό που έψαχνες πάντα. Απόκλεισε τις πολλές αποσπάσεις της προσοχής αυτού του κόσμου, σβήσε όλο το θόρυβο, κλείσε τα μάτια σου και άνοιξε την καρδιά σου, κοιτάξε μέσα στα βάθη της ύπαρξής σου και θα την βρείς εκεί….. συζήτησε μαζί της , κοίτα μέσα στα μάτια της, περίμενε αυτήν την στιγμή όλη την ζωή σου και το ίδιο και εσύ. Μην φοβάσαι να αγγίξεις το πρόσωπό της, να πάρεις το χέρι της και σου υπόσχομαι ότι θα σε φέρει στο υποσχόμενο έδαφος. ~ Niko

“When we laugh, natural killer cells which destroy tumours and viruses increase, along with Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells (important for our immune system) and B-cells (which make disease-fighting antibodies). As well as lowering blood pressure, laughter increases oxygen in the blood, which also encourages healing.” “Science of Laughter” Discovery Health Website “Without humor one’s thought processes are likely to become stuck and narrowly focused leading to increased distress.” Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor “Laughter is very powerful medicine. It can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in their resolve to overcome troubled times.” University of Nebraska “Nothing is good or bad. It is thinking that makes it so.” Shakespeare “By the time a child reaches nursery school, he or she will laugh about 300 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 17 times a day.” “Science of Laughter” Discovery Health What are the health benefits of humor and laughter? The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze. Humor and laughter can cause a domino effect of joy and amusement, as well as set off a number of positive physical effects. A good hearty laugh can help: Health Benefits of Laughter reduce stress lower blood pressure elevate mood boost immune system improve brain functioning protect the heart connect you to others foster instant relaxation make you feel good. “Doctor I have a ringing in my ears.” “Don’t answer!” – Henny Youngman Laughter activates the chemistry of the will to live and increases our capacity to fight disease. Laughing relaxes the body and reduces problems associated with high blood pressure, strokes, arthritis, and ulcers. Some research suggests that laughter may also reduce the risk of heart disease. Historically, research has shown that distressing emotions (depression, anger, anxiety, and stress) are all related to heart disease. A study done at the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that a good sense of humor and the ability to laugh at stressful situations helps mitigate the damaging physical effects of distressing emotions (see References and resources for more details). Some other specifics about laughter’s affect on the body are listed below. Laughter’s Effects on the Body Laughter lowers blood pressure. People who laugh heartily on a regular basis have lower standing blood pressure than the average person. When people have a good laugh, initially the blood pressure increases, but then it decreases to levels below normal. Breathing then becomes deeper which sends oxygen enriched blood and nutrients throughout the body. Humor changes our biochemical state. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases infection fighting antibodies. It increases our attentiveness, heart rate, and pulse. Laughter protects the heart. Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to the study at the University of Maryland Medical Center (cited above). The study, which is the first to indicate that laughter may help prevent heart disease, found that people with heart disease were 40 percent less likely to laugh in a variety of situations compared to people of the same age without heart disease. Laughter gives our bodies a good workout. Laughter can be a great workout for your diaphragm, abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles. It massages abdominal organs, tones intestinal functioning, and strengthens the muscles that hold the abdominal organs in place. Not only does laughter give your midsection a workout, it can benefit digestion and absorption functioning as well. It is estimated that hearty laughter can burn calories equivalent to several minutes on the rowing machine or the exercise bike. Humor improves brain function and relieves stress. Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain to enhance learning. It eases muscle tension and psychological stress, which keeps the brain alert and allows people to retain more information. How does humor improve mental and emotional health? Humor is a powerful emotional medicine that can lower stress, dissolve anger and unite families in troubled times. Mood is elevated by striving to find humor in difficult and frustrating situations. Laughing at ourselves and the situation helps reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be. Looking at a problem from a different perspective can make it seem less formidable and provide opportunities for greater objectivity and insight. Humor also helps us avoid loneliness by connecting with others who are attracted to genuine cheerfulness. And the good feeling that we get when we laugh can remain with us as an internal experience even after the laughter subsides. Mental health professionals point out that humor can also teach perspective by helping patients to see reality rather than the distortion that supports their distress. Humor shifts the ways in which we think, and distress is greatly associated with the way we think. It is not situations that generate our stress, it is the meaning we place on the situations. Humor adjusts the meaning of an event so that it is not so overwhelming. Here are some additional things we can do to improve our mood, enjoyment of life and mental health. Attempt to laugh at situations rather than bemoan them – this helps improve our disposition and the disposition of those around us. Use cathartic laughter to release pent-up feelings of anger and frustration in socially acceptable ways. Laugh as a means of reducing tension because laughter is often followed by a state of relaxation. Lower anxiety by visualizing a humorous situation to replace the view of an anxiety-producing situation. Why do we need humor to stay healthy emotionally? A healthy sense of humor is related to being able to laugh at oneself and one’s life. Laughing at oneself can be a way of accepting and respecting oneself. Lack of a sense of humor is directly related to lower self esteem. (Note that laughing at oneself can also be unhealthy if one laughs as a way of self degradation.) Humor is essential to mental health for a variety of reasons: Mental Health Benefits of Laughter Humor enhances our ability to affiliate or connect with others. Humor helps us replace distressing emotions with pleasurable feelings. You cannot feel angry, depressed, anxious, guilty, or resentful and experience humor at the same time.

Aloha!

I’m writing to you this morning from the magical Hawaiian island of Maui! It was while living here that I discovered and unlocked so many amazing things – about myself, spirituality, people, friendships, music, nature…and sushi! I ate my first sushi here and have been hooked ever since! *smiling*

I came to Maui this week to rejuvenate my being and to overcome some challenges within myself. I found answers to some very important questions. I’d like to share some thoughts with you that may speak to you and encourage you…

Never lose your joy!

In all that you do – with family, friends, work, hobbies, etc., never lose your joy! If you lose your joy, then you’ll lose so much purpose and meaning in life. You’ll start to become unhappy, depressed and unpleasant to be around. Children laugh an average of 300 times a day, adults laugh an average of only 17. When and why do we become so inhibited along the journey of life?! In one of my songs, “My Son”, the verse goes, “Agility of a child, when didst thou flee? Hold me, fold me, unfold me! Jump in my soul and out of my bones! Innocence lost at such a foolish cost, may I once again feel you in my heart!” Seek to become childlike again! Have joy and laughter in your life, they are like medicine! I’ll post a separate blog entry after this one of an interesting article I recently read about the importance and benefits of laughter.

Don’t sweat the small stuff!

Life is filled with important things that truly need your attention, so don’t sweat the small stuff. You only have so much time and energy in each day, be wise and productive in how you spend it. Don’t waste your time with insignificant and meaningless things. For me, it’s something as simple as checking my email too many times each day. It’s being too much of a perfectionist about things that are not really that important. It’s worrying about things I have no control over. It’s trying to please everyone when in fact sometimes you’ve just got to do what you know you’ve got to do! It’s fearing being misunderstood and misjudged. It’s caring about what others think in situations where what others think doesn’t matter at all! It’s being upset about a mistake when in fact I should just smile at my mistake and learn from it. It’s have a check bounce. It’s having someone hack into my myspace account and send out advertisements for porn with my name signed at the bottom. It’s accidentally getting a scratch on a new guitar or a dent in my car, it doesn’t really matter because every material thing on this planet is eventually going to turn to dust anyway! It’s having a delayed flight or being stuck in traffic and being late for a meeting. It is what it is and it’s out of my control so I might as well relax and just BE! I should just enjoy the moment, turn on some music and chill or strategize a business plan or…I should do anything while sitting in that traffic except be upset and frustrated about it. There are plenty of other things in life for us to sweat about, so, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Let go.

Realize and accept that some things are out of your control. Just let go. Do your best, your absolute best, be prudent and then let go. Carrie Underwood released a song titled, “Jesus Take The Wheel”, it was a hit because people identified with the idea that sometimes you just have to let go and trust a higher power. Some people say trust God, some say Allah, other’s say The Universe, whatever your faith may be, we should all practice letting go. Let go of micro-managing things that do not need to be micro-managed. Let go of worrying about things which worry will do nothing to resolve. While growing up, my pastor told me many times that 99.9 percent of the things we worry about never happen, all these years later I can say that he is right! Let go of trying to figure everything out, there are parts of life that as a flower they just have to unfold on their own and in their own time. Let go of all the “dead weight” in your life. A hot air balloon cannot rise into the sky until the dead weight is removed, if you’re gonna rise then let go of all the bad relationships, all the bad habits, fear, anger, anxiety, etc., this is all dead weight in your life. Let go of an image of no value, know that you are beautiful and special and unique. Let go of all the lies you have been told – about yourself, about others (especially others with a different skin color or different culture), about the career path you are “supposed” to be on, about God. For example, I once saw God in quite a small box, I had to let go of some old mindsets to realize and experience a God so limitless and beautiful that words cannot begin to tell.

I would like to say that I have not mastered these things, quite to the contrary. Writing them out and sharing them with you will help me achieve them. I will read what I have written many time over the next few weeks and I will let these words provoke me – to grow, to mature, to be childlike, to be patient, to walk in love and freedom and peace. ~ Niko