If you walk down the sidewalk constantly looking back over your shoulder, you’re sure to walk into something.
In the same way, if you spend your life dwelling on the past, you will never see the obstacles and opportunities that the present moment has to offer.
Having said that, the collective years of human experience offer many valuable lessons for all of us. And our own past offers many kernels of wisdom that we can bring with us through the days, weeks and years to come.
Looking at my year in review through this lens, I searched for a common thread – one teaching that pervaded my experience. This teaching can be surmised as such:
The way you perceive and process the universe is a choice. You have the ability to add or subtract meaning to the events, situations, circumstances and people in your life. Your perception of the universe is your reality. In essence, you have the absolute freedom to create your universe.
And there it is, the life lesson that was spoken so often to me in 2007 – in Washington, DC, Toronto, Buenos Aires and Rhode Island. Wherever I went, it unveiled its truth in the world around me.
I made the choice to process the world differently – to react to the world with love instead of hate. And this world of unconditional, beautiful and overwhelming love slowly revealed itself to me wherever I went.
As we move forward into the new year, I will continue to apply this truth the to present moment.
And I look forward to the many learning experiences yet to come. I look forward to sharing them with you – and I look forward to hearing your learning experiences as well. This is, after all, a two way conversation in which you and I are engaged. I promise to approach each one with an open heart and an eager mind.
Happy New Year’s Eve Blog Buddies!
PS Look forward to a talky blog from Will and I later tonight! 
December 31, 2007 at 12:34 pm
you need to get Will to get his own blog…..
Dave, do you think if Will was to get his own blog, how many people would you lose from yours?
December 31, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Thanks. I though have found how often people want your universe to fit into a neat little package that looks like what they know to be reality.
I have been rebuilding my life like you. It has been a challenge but a goo time. I have lost a few friends but I am gaining better. I have family who never talk to me all of a sudden wanting to tell me how to live my life. Yet it is not there lives I am living it is mine.
Thanks for your Blog.
Have a great evening with Will and allow that to be what you want it to be not what others want it to be.
December 31, 2007 at 1:26 pm
What does that mean?
December 31, 2007 at 1:34 pm
Dave ,Hope you have a Fabulous 2008 and I will be watching You and Will.
December 31, 2007 at 1:55 pm
You might want to read Zen and the Art of Happiness. Your quote goes along with the whole notion of that book. I just finished reading it. It’s by Chris Prentice.
December 31, 2007 at 2:15 pm
For intelligent people every year that passes it’s like Port Wine (Vinho do Porto) – the older it is the better it gets. But it is important to filter the problems in our lives as the wine filters its flavour along th years. In my case, i learn with my mistakes, and i lear with my experience and other people experiences. Every year is like a new book to read, a new group to met, a new place to visit. Anyways, a new part of me to born.
I give 80% of my positive energies to other people and i support myself with my 20%. We need to be good to help other and to help this world.
Guys don’t forget to use blue, white, black, purple and orange in your clothes today.
GOODDD VIBRATTIONNSS are sent from Portugal to all blog buddies and specially to you Dave.
Happy New Year
Lukas – Porto – Portugal
December 31, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Dave,
)
From what I have learned is that you plant love you will get love.
I also learned if you have hate, you will need to replace the hate. For example you have a glass of red kool-aid (hate) and if you look at the glass of BRIGHT red kool-aid but if you add it to a 55 gallon drum of clear water (love) there is little signs of the red kool-aid left. I hope my example makes sense.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! May 2008 be full of joy, happiness and LOVE!
Take Care-
Brad
December 31, 2007 at 3:43 pm
It takes a lot of courage for one to realize that everything that happens in his life is 100% of his own responsability…but it is even tougher for one to put out his ideas to the world, sharing his way of perceiving things, approaching each one with open heart and mind! Congratulations for beeing one of this brave people! Happy New Year!
December 31, 2007 at 4:27 pm
we were promised will had some special treat for us when we hit a certain target on your fund raiser!! what is it??? hope to find out in 2nites blog
December 31, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Dave–
This is something like the umpteenth message I’m leaving you, because I enjoy criticizing you. I have to admit I never thought someone would say anything remotely intelligent, but then I was surprised. How many viewers would you lose if Will made his own blog.
ATTENTION WILL:
This is for you–What’s your major? What university do you go too? What town are you from in Rhode Island? Just curious questions since you don’t really say much on blogs.
December 31, 2007 at 10:00 pm
Happy New Year Dave!
There is an old song that keeps resonating when I read and watch your blog. It is by Eden Ahbez
Nature boy:
There was a boy
A very strange enchanted boy
They say he wandered very far, very far
Over land and sea
A little shy and sad of eye
But very wise was he
And then one day
A magic day he passed my way
And while we spoke of many things
Fools and kings
This he said to me
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn
Is just to love and be loved in return
December 31, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Some great comments and reactions! Happy New Year to all the blog buddies! May your 2008 be filled with excitement and the best of events for all your lives. I wish Dave a Will all my best and hope that they ring in the new year together with love and happiness. Take care and have fun! – J
January 1, 2008 at 12:46 am
From the banks of the Ping River in Chiang Mai Thailand, my home away from home, I send you all warm wishes for the coming year and always. May you be Happy. May you be Peaceful. May you be Well.
Sawatdee Pii Mai, krap. Happy New Year!
January 1, 2008 at 12:55 am
Resouloutions mean nothing to the past, but to the present future, your hopes you lay in the future while happen in the present and in the past the present- Roger Coukus
January 1, 2008 at 4:39 am
I agree that you have the freedom to create 100% of your perception of your own universe. And most of our reactions are to the perceived universe. BUT somethings in the Real are out of your control. A car your perceive not to be there (voluntary or involuntary perception) can mow you down all the same.
On that morbid note: Happy New Year. May you and all of us find our paths.
January 1, 2008 at 4:45 am
I agree that you have the freedom to create 100% of your perception of the universe. And most of our reactions are to the perceived universe. BUT somethings in the Real are out of your control. A car that you perceive not to be there (voluntary or involuntary misperception)can mow you down all the same.
On that morbid note: Happy New Year and may you and each of us find our path.
November 23, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I love this saying so much. It’s the truth, and I absolutely adore it.
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