Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | December 5, 2011

Be Compassionate

Before I make this blog into a rant, let me begin again: from a place of wise knowing.

Before you judge the hesitant driver in front of you, the telemarketer who calls at dinner time, the bored store clerk who doesn’t look up from the till, the mother who can’t make her kids behave on the bus, the waiter/waitress who delivers the wrong meal, the boss who doesn’t pay a fair wage, the pet lovers who don’t pick up after their pooch, the business owners who charge more than the big box stores, the people on welfare who cheat the system, the politicians who abuse public funds, the churches for not owning their mistakes, the municipality for hiring contractors who don’t do a good job, the neighbours for having too many Christmas lights/parking on their lawn/partying late and especially anyone who has ever said something mean … stop.

Find a sense of compassion for what others might be experiencing now or have experienced in the past. Feel compassion for the souls around you who are struggling, like you, to feel safe or to live up to the expectations the world has placed on them. Compassion can erase judgement, insensitivity, rudeness, criticism, sarcasm and hurt. Today, be a living, breathing vessel of compassion. God knows, the world could use a healthy dose of compassion today.

May you know you are loved.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | December 5, 2011

Compassion Over Anger

OK … I’ve calmed down. I don’t want to be an angry person. I want to be compassionate; compassionate towards those who may not understand the impact of their actions on others; compassionate towards those who do know what they are doing and haven’t found a way to survive without hurting someone else; compassion for those who have no idea what I’m talking about and may keep doing what they are doing because in their mind, it’s just harmless fun.

And always, always, compassion towards those who feel victimized; those who are afraid to defend themselves; those who feel they deserve the humiliation; those who have become so used to being bullied that they have shut down emotionally. There is a way out. Believe me. I know.

I’m learning. That’s my ‘career path’ – being a student. I willingly open my heart and mind.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | December 5, 2011

I’m Tired of Bullies

I’m tired of hearing people complain about bullying among our young people. Of course I am outraged that it takes place. Of course I am heartbroken that a child, or anyone, would take their own life rather than face the humiliation that bullies dish out. Of course I am increasing frustrated with the range of tactics and unbelievable lack of sincere remorse from the bullies.

But I wonder how many people who feel the same way are sitting in front of a television, or movie screen or computer monitor laughing at the bullying that is passed off as entertainment. Don’t show images day after day of people insulting, embarrassing, harassing, making fun of, and diminishing someone else without expecting to see that same behaviour repeated AND sometimes exemplified in our world. Don’t spread gossip, disguised as information, that in any way hurts someone.

We can’t have it both ways. If it’s not okay to call a teenager a loser then it’s not okay to make men the butt of jokes in tv commercials. If it’s not okay to pick on a child because their clothes are ill-fitting then it’s not okay to portray women as hysterical. Think people. What on earth are we doing making fun of anyone! I mean … really?

I’m sick and tired of the lack of respect and courtesy and kindness that we all deserve; that would change our world in a heartbeat if only each one of us would have the courage to take responsibility for how we treat others. And maybe it starts with our own self-worth. We are bombarded with messages that we aren’t enough so it’s inevitable that we feel ‘less than’. And I am so angry that I, and a lot of other people, have been taught that you can make yourself feel better by putting someone else down. We don’t have that right.

I’m not perfect and God knows I am doing what I can to change my ways. Are you?

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | July 22, 2010

Words Inspiring Me Today

“BE A LITTLE KINDER THAN IS NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A HARD BATTLE” James Barrie

“I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” Helen Keller

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | July 7, 2010

Who Will You See Today

“Once a century a man may be ruined or made insufferable by praise. But surely once a minute something generous dies for want of it.” John Masefield

Who will you genuinely acknowledge today? Who is waiting to be seen? Who has stepped forward, took a risk, opened themselves up … and now looks for some nod that they are appreciated for who they are?

This might be the day you change someone’s life.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | July 5, 2010

In The End What Matters Most

“In the end what matters most is …

How well did you live

How well did you love

How well did you learn to let go”

Unknown Author

Really, what does matter to you and what will matter to you when you reach the end of your life? If it matters then, make it matter now. People live with the awkwardness of regret lurking in the shadows. They know what matters and they know it will catch up with them AND they still resist.

In the end, there are few second chances. This isn’t meant to alarm or scare or intimidate anyone into action. It is a one of those gentle reminders that life as we know it can feel short. Losing someone we love is a painful way to be awakened to what matters. Losing our home or possessions by our own hands, by the economy or by a violent act of nature can sharply narrow our focus to what we care most about.

Letting go is probably one of the easiest ways to claim freedom and peace of mind AND one of the least chosen options. I’ve witnessed so many people take grudges to their graves. What a waste of energy and life. So how well have you learned to let go? What could you let go of today – hurt, anger, shame, fear – that would release you from a disempowered place and give you a chance to experience the magnificence of this moment?

Because in the end, that’s all that really matters.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | July 3, 2010

Marketing Manipulation

I’m taking a risk here and somehow I don’t think I can live peacefully with myself unless I say something. I may invite criticism or rejection and right now, I am determined to listen to myself.

Yesterday, after much consideration I decided to lower the cost of my September Retreat. Reworking my calculations I found a way to save some money AND I adjusted my fee. Why? Because I want the experience to be accessible; affordable. Of course I need to make money to feel fairly compensated for my efforts and I will be. I also know that I can offer the same powerful retreat experience for a different price.

The Marketing Manipulation piece opened up when I came up with the new cost: $610.00. Almost immediately I thought “I can drop that to $599 or $595 because it sounds like less.” Suddenly I realized I was usually a tactic that is so commonplace most of us probably take it for granted. By asking for $595 or $599 I’m saying “Look at this – it’s under $600 – what a deal”. Honestly I think that most people would read either of those numbers and think “Okay, it’s $600 bucks”. So why not just say it? Why not be honest? In some ways there is a sense that using this angle says “I don’t think you’re smart enough to see through my attempts to convince you this is cheaper than you think.” God, how arrogant and condescending. And now every marketing person is rolling their eyes and discounting me as naive or ignorant. That’s fine. I’m not attached to being accepted by everybody!

I’m tired of what feels like manipulation to me. I realize that I may not be as successful as other people because I don’t take advantage of smart, little tips to market or promote myself and my work. So be it. Everywhere I look in this world someone is spinning something. It’s hard to avoid.

For me, I feel a need to “come clean”. I’m lowering my price because I want eight women to come to the September Women’s Wisdom Retreat and see themselves in the most amazing light. I want them to change what isn’t working, celebrate what is and go back into their world with confidence. I KNOW what can happen here and I see it over and over and over again. My biggest challenge is getting that message out in an honest way; a conscious, respectful way that says “I trust you’ll know this is right for you.” I’m working on it.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | July 1, 2010

Standing Out in The Crowd

Some of us just stand out in a crowd. It’s not always intentional. Sometimes we are just looking for the same thing as everyone else but our physical appearance or our “presence” speaks volumes.

If you want to be seen as “the same” or fitting in or part of something it can be very challenging to blend when you are inherently “different”. And what does that say about the rest of us who don’t see you as the “same”. Visible minorities and disabled people have battled this situation for years. I’m also aware of how aging is impacting our perception of people’s abilities. As a good friend stated, “People don’t expect a woman of my age and appearance to have anything of value to offer.” That bothered me. Probably because I’m almost the same age and have rebelled against a professional or perceived “required” appearance for years. It might even now be listed in psychology books under the “Susan Boyle syndrome”.

There is a way in this fast paced world that we look for the most expeditious route to get what we want. That might mean discounting someone who looks different in favour of someone who fits our visual image of competence. There is a lot we can learn from our assumptions.

I wonder what wisdom we are missing.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | June 30, 2010

Surrender

Earlier today I heard myself saying the words I so often offer to people in crisis. “Give up your need to know”. When I first heard this phrase from Caroline Myss I felt enormous relief. It was so freeing to let go of my need to figure things out or try to make things work. This was true especially when I was struggling. There’s a big clue right there.

What I’ve noticed is that the energy lost in a battle to “brain things into being” depletes the creative juices that would otherwise rise to the top. And I also believe that it signals the universe that you don’t trust whatever divine process might be happening at this moment.

It takes courage to surrender and it is definitely not about giving up. Never. It is about trusting that you are being guided and that the monkey chatter in your head and twisting knots in your stomach will not lead you to the answers or the goal. Instead, allow what naturally and powerfully wants to show up inside and all around you. Make peace with the frightened voice that demands that you try harder. The truth is that sometimes we get exactly what we want when we let go.

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Posted by: Ms. Daryl Wood | June 29, 2010

The Power of Deep Connection

For 12 days I bathed in the energy of my Wild Boar Leadership Tribe. I started with one, eased into two and then blossomed quickly into 15 of us. At any given time there was an air of possibility, expectation, emergence and edgy calling forth. This is our language. Language that we have come to embrace for what it means to us on a deep, soul connection level.

We are up to something in this world. It is yet to be clearly defined and I would say it may never be. While having a sharp focus that can easily be articulated might be useful in explaining ourselves to others, what makes this group so intriguing is their ability to “feel” what is in the “space”, listen beyond word or sound and ultimately go where we are sent.

The power of our deep connection gives us the safety and confidence to take on global challenges and small quests. And we are not exclusive. Gently, with reverence and genuine appreciation, we open our hearts to anyone who slips into step with us. We are committed to serving; serving our planet; serving humankind; serving the divine. We do it in many different ways and we do it with the full knowledge that we are being called, always, to a greater need than our own. It’s awesome; awe inspiring.

So what does all this mean? Stay tuned. As we use the energy of this past week in the sacred lands of Tobermory on the tip of the Bruce Peninsula we spread out like waves (sometimes soothing, sometimes wildly excited) into the world. Make no mistake we are here to awaken those who invite us in. We are here to transform the consciousness of those who want to understand. We are not here to fix. We are here to share.

We are Wild Boars and we are here … now.

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