Liane Benedict

We don’t have a choice, do we? And I believe it starts with the relationships and connections we build. Yes, the start is that simple. We need to create the synergy of innovation, creativity and change through these relationships. We need to stop waiting for someone else to do it.  We spend too much time and energy on things that don’t really matter and not enough time on the things that do. And we always have an excuse for why that is…

Came across an interesting site. Read an excerpt below…

Excerpt from “The 2006 Map of Future Forces: What Has Changed and Does it Matter?” March 4th, 2010 by Jillian Darwish

YES!  In fact this is exactly how large-scale change happens in living systems.  First, a catalyst inspires separate local efforts toward change.  Those local efforts then connect in networks where knowledge and commitment are built.   The strengthening of interactions and dependencies among local efforts results in emergence and as these connections become stronger they create a system of influence that shapes and defines accepted behaviors and practices for the larger population.

Big change begins with the local actions of a few committed people courageously moving in a new direction and connecting with others doing the same.   What other local actions might we connect to encourage the emergence of a world of learning?

So maybe my work in trying to facilitate connections in thinking and learning for those I support is a good thing.  I am a change agent. That is my work. I don’t know all of the answers but I am clear on my purpose…

We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so we may have the life that is waiting for us.

~ E.M Forster

I think it is true that we make our way through our world believing that happiness is only possible if all we have planned or believe we are supposed to accomplish becomes reality. And when it does not happen we feel we have failed, we feel that happiness eludes us…and we dwell on what should have been, what might be someday…

I did not plan for multiple sclerosis. I did not plan on a lot of the things that have appeared along my path…but this one was certainly not even in the realm of possibilities, or so I thought.  But that is the life that is waiting for me and I am embracing it with open arms!  And its okay.  Its not who I am, its just a part of the path.  Everything, absolutely everything in my life has brought me to this point and it is where I want to be. Not because everything I planned really happened, but because it didn’t happen.  What I have now before me is an amazingly open path upon which I can continue to grow and learn and experience.  And that is really freakin awesome!  MS won’t change my journey, its just part of the journey that is waiting for me…

NYSCATE. All the good stuff from the weekend…

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

~e.e. cummings, 1955

Unknown Beauty…, originally uploaded by lianebenedict.

I wonder if this flower knows how beautiful it is…
I am learning…

So I am really excited to have this website! I have tons of ideas about what to write about. I have a story to tell. I have been on a journey and have learned many things along the way – about myself and about others. My problem is – I have tons of ideas of what to write about!!  I am at a loss as to where to begin… Do I go back in time and share the travels that have brought me to this place (which happens to be a really good place) or do I simply begin where I am and let bits and pieces trickle out as I continue to move forward. Does this even make sense what I am pondering?  I suppose for now I will share random thoughts as they pop into my head and eventually the story will come together.

So for now I am going to share something someone close to me shared recently. I am keeping it anonymous. I do share it though because it reminded me of myself and some of the very same questions I have asked along the way. So it was like a look in the mirror. I realized even more than I already believed that in my personal and my professional life part of who I am is not only navigating my own journey but helping others navigate their journey as well. That is meaningful work…Here are those words exactly as shared with me.

“I am trying to think about what is going to work best for me in my life right now, this very moment. What do I want? What truly matters? And why do I care about doing what is right or expected of me?? And . . . I also feel like I need to get away-mentally, everything. Not because my life is bad or anything is really wrong but because I need clarification. Yeah, I need to clarify some things!! I think that is it. I am just thinking . . . am I getting the most out of my life or am I thinking/worrying too much about how to get the most out of my life????? I think I need to do what works for now, not for two years ago or two years from now, but now. I guess this is all very abstract . . . . . ..

There are always very contradicting messages about what is important in life, what you should have or do, blah blah blah. . . . and overall I know these things. Maybe we think too much???”

If  you have felt this very same thing also – welcome to your awareness of the journey. By the way, you might want to read Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle.

One of my favorite authors is Paulo Coelho. Read and enjoy his work as I have!  The first book of his I read was The Alchemist. Below are just a couple of quotes from some of his books…

Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream.

Every human being has a personal legend to be fulfilled, and this is our reason for being in the world. This personal legend manifests itself in our enthusiasm for the task.

Every day, God gives us, as well as the sun, a moment when it is possible to change anything that is causing us unhappiness. The magic moment is the moment when a “yes” or a “no” can change our whole existence. Every day, we try to pretend that we do not see that moment, that it does not exist, that today is the same as yesterday and that tomorrow will be the same too. However, anyone who pays close attention to his day will discover the magic moment. It might be hidden in the instant that we put the key in the door in the morning, in the moment of silence after supper, in the thousand and one things that appear to us to be the same. This moment exists, a moment in which all the strength of the stars flows through us and allows us to perform miracles.

Paulo Coelho