From our inbox to you: From Dawn James: Part 3 on “How to Clear your Karma:

Hi Everyone..


I hope you enjoyed part 1 and 2 of this 3-part series about ‘how to clear karma’ and found it insightful and useful.

TELL ME- which of the 6 karma clearing tips resonated with you the most? EMAIL me!
 
WHAT IS KARMA

Karma is like a scale which we carry with us for a lifetime or many lifetimes. The scale can be as light as a feather or as heavy as a brick wall. The weight of the scale is affected by the quality of your thoughts and actions and this in turn creates karmic patterns in your life. The saying: what goes around comes around, applies to karma.

HOW KARMA AFFECTS US

Do you consider your life to be easy or simple? Are you living in the flow? Or do you see your life full of challenges, stagnation or disappointments? If the later description resonates with you, then I want you to remember this:  you are influencing the karmic patterns in your life- both favorable and unfavorable patterns.

The good news: karma is not fixed or frozen – it’s mutable. Why? Because energy is mutable and the energy of your thoughts and actions can be changed – by you!

KARMA CLEARING TIP #5

The Company you keep
 
Some people build us up, while some people tear us down.  I want you to take a good look at the people in your life, at home, at work, your social circles. Which category do they fall into? 
 
How to Associate with Positive People
(Excerpt from my book RAISE YOUR VIBRATION, TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE)

Step 1: Identify
Make a list of positive people you know from work, relatives, schoolmates and people from religious, recreational and other social organizations.

Step 2: Interact                         
Try to spend time with them. Whether it’s a phone call, attending an event together or just hanging out, you will find positive people are confident and supportive and have an optimistic outlook on life. Their positive vibrations will be pleasantly infectious. When you surround yourself with people who have positive energy and are happy and well balanced, you too are more likely to be happy and well balanced.

Step 3: Reflect
Take time to reflect on the traits and characteristics that these positive people in your life possess. Reflect on how they respond to life’s ups and downs. Learn from their experiences and wisdom to assist you in handling situations that arise in your own life.
 
When you make subtle changes in your own expectations/attitude to perceive the world in a more positive manner, you alter your vibrational frequency so that you become more attuned to receive positive and higher vibrations, and subsequently, you draw more positive and harmonious experiences into your life. This is the essence of the third vibrational law: Changes in mental attitude and thoughts can affect the vibrational frequency of yourself, others you interact with and your experiences.

If you are able to walk away, say a simple farewell then its time to do that. If its not that simple then find a way to honestly tell them how you feel, or in what ways you can work together to make the relationship healthier, better or more satisfying.
 
In my opinion, if a relationship is toxic and causing more harm than good- then its time to leave. Remember when I explained in part #1 ‘ how karma affects us”: the quality of your relationships also affects the quality of your karma. Choose the company you keep wisely and consciously.

KARMA CLEARING TIP #6
Heal-thy-self
Healthy Self

What activities do you do or daily rituals do you practice to nourish your Spirit or feed your Soul?
 
Here are some quick tips to cultivate positive karma

  • seize opportunities to create good health and well being
  • hug your inner child every now and then, greet them with a smile
  • feel blessed for what you have
  • feel thankful for all the wonderful gifts and skills and talents you possess
  • perform random acts of kindness to people you know and don’t know
  • treat others like you would like to be treated
  • when you feel it, say it: ‘ thank you’, ‘ I appreciate that”, “ I am happy to have you in my life”

 
And always remember this:  you have the power to influence and create good karma through your conscious actions and conscious thoughts.

Being Conscious
 
We are what we eat
We are what we drink
We are what we say
We are what we think.
With that in mind, I say to mankind:
Conscious eating
Conscious drinking
Conscious speaking and
Conscious thinking.
Conscious Being!
~ by Dawn James 
author Raise Your Vibration, Transform Your Life (2010)

Quote of the month: “When you focus on others you create karma, when you focus within you clear karma” ~Anonymous

Costa Rica Retreat- Join Us!

Awaken Your Senses: 7- Day Costa Rica Retreat
Dates: Oct 1st – 7th 2016

Join us for a mind-ful, heart opening experience as we explore the five senses through nature and sound on the beautiful serene pacific coast of Costa Rica.

About the Retreat

Enjoy the natural beauty of Dominical Costa Rica, at Manu Retreat centre – perched on the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with 30 acres of lush tropical rain forest. The surrounding landscape is peaceful and breathtaking, inspiring you to awaken your senses.

This retreat is ideal for anyone who:

Is looking to get away from the hustle and busyness of everyday life
Wants to connect with Nature and natural beauty
Appreciates soothing sounds, meditation and a peaceful pace
Is open to self discovery, trying new things and having good safe fun

Relax, Rest & Restore:

Dip into one of two infinity pools, walk through the tropical gardens, lounge and relax in the luxury of your Bali-style villa or bedroom, catch a glimpse of the colorful toucans, savor the delicious meals made with love, enjoy spectacular sunsets every night as you converse with friends, old and new; take in the harmonic and uplifting sounds of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls as you wind down each evening and indulge yourself in the elements of nature. Pause, breathe and enjoy personal time.

‘Awaken Your Senses’ Day trips – this retreat is inclusive of meals, accommodation, activities and day trips.

READ MORE ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES & DAY TRIPS
Save 35% on air travel to Costa Rica- Contact Dawn at 1.888.767.8423 ext 2 to

From our inbox to you, from The Whitby Public Library on; What’s on for April:

Illustration of a little girl in the library on a white background Stock Vector - 20518176
http://www.123rf.com: 

Copyright : iimages

How-to In 10 is Back!   

How would you like to learn a new skill in just 10 minutes? The How-To in 10 Festival, hosted at five different libraries in the Durham Region, makes learning something new fun, easy, free, and convenient!

The festival will be held at the Whitby Public Library on Saturday, April 30 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm. Stations throughout the first floor of the Central Library will teach you a new skill in 10 minutes or less.  With over 25 experts, think of all the things you can learn to do!

AT WPL this year, learn How-To:

And that’s not all! Please visit the How-To in 10 website for more details on what you can learn at your library.

Did You Know?

The Whitby Archives Has Records to Help You Research Your House

Historic photo of homes in Whitby.Along with all the great resources at the Whitby Public Library, did you know the Central Library is also home to the Whitby Archives?

The Whitby Archives holds unpublished, historical records relating to Whitby, Brooklin, Ashburn, Myrtle, and Myrtle Station. It’s a great place to visit if you’re researching your family history, working on a school project or if you have an interest in local history.

One of the most common questions our Archivist is asked is how to research a house. Sometimes the answer is really easy. If you live in a historical home, there is a good chance research has already been undertaken by staff in the Archives or external clients. We might have a folder containing notices or newspaper articles pertaining to your home. If you’re really lucky and the house is considered significant to the Town of Whitby’s history or the house has been designated under theOntario Heritage Act, there will be an architectural and historical report available for consultation.

The majority of houses in Whitby, though, are not so lucky. For many residents, researching their house requires a bit more legwork. The Archives has resources like city directories, phone books, maps, and newspapers which can help determine previous homeowners and/or tenants. Researchers will also want to consult the Ontario County Land Abstract Index which is available on microfilm. These records will provide information about land ownership from the early 1800s until present day (although the Library’s copies only go to 1949). Finally, fire insurance plans provide information on additions, renovations, and building material.

If you’d like to learn more about researching your house, come to our workshop on April 6 at 7:00 pm at the Central Library. Register online for How to Research Your House or by contacting any branch.

We encourage those researching their house to make an appointment with the Archivist so we can best prepare for your visit. Visit our web page to see the Whitby Archives hours of operation.

Upcoming Programs

DVD cover of The Walk.

Free Film Night at the Central Library 
Thursday, April 7
7:00 to 9:00 pm
Meeting Room 1

Join us at the Central Library for a screening of the film The Walk. Twelve people have walked on the moon, but only one man (Philippe Petit played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has ever, or will ever, walk in the immense void between the World Trade Center towers. Guided by his mentor Papa Rudy (Ben Kingsley), and aided by an unlikely band of international recruits, Petit and his gang overcome long odds, betrayals, dissension and countless close calls to conceive and execute their mad plan.

This film is rated PG according to the Ontario Film Review Board. Closed captioning will be available.

Registration is required. Register for the Free Film Night online or by contacting any branch.

Avengers Become…Hedgehogs? At the Central Library 
Wednesday, April 20
4:00 to 5:30 pm

Fandom fun!

Captain America: Civil War hits theatres this May. We’re excited and we want to help you wait out the movie release date. Teens in grades 7 to 12, sign up to create your own Avenger book hedgehog. We supply the material, you do the work! Bonus points for helping us recycle used books in honour of Earth Day.

Registration is required. Register for Avengers Become…Hedgehogs? online or by contacting any branch.

Outlander DVD cover.

Outlander Fan Clan Gathering at the Brooklin Branch 
Monday, April 4
7:00 to 8:00 pm

Don your plaid and share your love of all things Outlander: books, TV series and of course, Jamie and Claire!

Enjoy refreshments, a wee blether and the chance to win a door prize.

Registration is required. Register for the Outlander Fan Clan Gathering online or by contacting any branch.

Librarian swimming with a shark_

Hands-On Green Screen at the Brooklin Branch 
Wednesday, April 13
4:00 to 5:00 pm
Brooklin Youth Room (Brooklin Community Centre and Library)

Travel to Paris? Fly over a building? Make the impossible happen with our brand new green screen! Drop by the Brooklin Community Centre’s Youth Room to try out this technology for yourself. This program is open to youth in grades 7 to 12. Participants will have their completed photos emailed to them.

Visit the Town of Whitby’s Youth Rooms web page for more details about the BCCL Youth Room.

No registration required. Just drop in!

Letter blocks.

Construction Zone: Learn, Build and Solve at the Brooklin Branch 
Wednesday April 6, 13, 20 and 27
10:30 to 11:30 am

This interactive program will explore strategies that promote children’s learning with blocks, buildings, and books. Letter Construction, Building Block Blueprints, Duplo Speller Bricks, Block Graphs and more will spark your child’s imagination and creative problem solving abilities.
Caregivers and their children ages 3 to 5 are welcome. This program runs for 4 weeks.

This program is presented in partnership with Joan Gajadharsingh, Early Literacy Specialist fromOntario Early Years.

Registration is required. Register for Construction Zone: Learn, Build and Solve online or bycontacting any branch.

Yellow bird on a branch.

Thickson’s Woods Land Trust at the Rossland Branch 
Wednesday, April 13
2:30 to 3:30 pm

The beauty and serenity of nature is just down the road, tucked away where Thickson Road meets the lake at Thickson’s Woods Land Trust. Come learn more about the history of this beautiful old growth forest and the birds who visit this reserve.

Registration is required. Register for Thickson’s Woods Land Trust online or by contacting any branch.

Photo of sloth.

Make ‘N Take a Sloth at the Rossland Branch
Friday, April 8
11:00 am to 12 noon

Drop in for a few minutes to make a mama sloth and her adorable baby. Caregivers of children under 10 must remain in the library. Please be prepared to assist your child.

Registration is not required. Just drop in!

Book Marks 

New Spring Picture Books 
Book cover of When Spring Comes.
Kevin Henkes, author of numerous picture books including the Caldecott Medal winning Kitten’s First Full Moon, has created a beautiful story to welcome spring. The bright, colourful illustrations in When Spring Comes
show the changes that occur with the arrival of spring. As the story begins,
the reader discovers the world before spring comes, when trees are bare and look like sticks against the sky. Then remarkable changes occur: leaves
and blossoms emerge on branches, grass changes from brown to green, pussy willows grow and new kittens play. Henkes drawings are colourful and playful and capture the wonder of winter falling away and spring’s arrival.

Author of One, Two That’s My Shoe and Apple Pie ABC is back with a fun, cumulative story based on the famous nursery rhyme. The House that Zack Built, takes place on a farm, and Murray’s sense of humour is evident throughout the retelling. A fly buzzes by the house (made of blocks) that Zack built and ends up causing havoc not just with Zack’s house but also with numerous farm animals, including Zack’s dog. The tale incorporates farm animals young children will recognize and by the end, Zack not only comes up with a simple solution to the problem of the buzzing fly, he rights everything that went wrong. It’s a fun read aloud that encourages children to participate with the telling.

Book cover of The SheepOver.Sweet Pea and Friends: The SheepOver by John and Jennifer Churchman

The Sheepover, based on a true story, tells the story of Sweet Pea, a little orphan lamb who has fallen sick. Told through photographs of actual farm animals, Sweet Pea is cared for by Vet Allison, and her friends keep her company as she recovers in the barn. It’s a charming story with large, bright photographs that provide children a close-up look of familiar barn animals (sheep, goat, goose, rooster) who are all worried about Sweet Pea. Children will enjoy the happy ending where Farmer John plans something special for Sweet Pea and her friends.

Bug Zoo features colourful, large illustrations and tells the story of a boy who takes his love of bugs a little too far. Ben loves all sorts of bugs, and after a trip to the city zoo, he decides to start a bug zoo. He catches some and puts them in glass jars, but the next day he notices the bugs aren’t buzzing. Nonetheless, he keeps growing his zoo and after catching a luna moth he learns what is really wrong with his bugs and how he can make them better. It’s fun looking at the many bugs on the pages and the message makes the reader think about how to really care about creatures sharing our world, even the littlest ones
Books, Research and More

Multilingual Matters

DVD cover of NO.

Foreign Film Recommendations 

The Central Library has a large collection of foreign films, including a number of spectacular gems. Have trouble deciding on which flick to choose, or new to foreign films? Here are some recommendations of entertaining fictional stories based on true events.

Cold Fish (Japanese)
No (Spanish)
Manuscripts Don’t Burn (Persian)
Vincere (Italian)
Kon-Tiki (Norwegian)
Burning Bush (Czechoslovakian)
9th Company (Russian)
Violette (French)

Virtual Branch: WPL on the Web

Chalkboard that says Community Information.

Find Community Information on Information Durham  

For all of the power of the internet, sometimes the things closest to home can be hard to find. Take community services. Sometimes it’s difficult to navigate through all of the different services available or know which group to contact when in need. And even if you do, not every organization has a web presence.

Fortunately, there’s a website set up exactly for this purpose.Information Durham, a program of the Durham Region United Way, is a local directory run by professionals in the area, designed to help you find local services and organizations. Looking for legal assistance, a specialty medical clinic, counseling, an environmental conservation group or a food bank? Information Durham is the place to go.

Information Durham is as simple to use as Google. You can enter an organization name or keywords, and you can limit your search by municipality. You can also browse through a list of organizations and broad service categories. It also offers a very cool volunteer opportunity search feature, which is great for high school students seeking volunteer hours or anyone who wants to contribute their time to a cause.

We live in a community full of amazing people and organizations. Learn more about what they have to offer through Information Durham.

Part 2 of 3 “How to Clear your Karma” with Dawn James…

 

RVY_transform_header7708ea[1]

How to Clear your Karma –
Part 2 of 3

I hope you enjoyed part 1 of this 3-part series about ‘how to clear karma’. It’s a topic that has fascinated me since my awakening in 2003.  I hope you find it insightful and useful on your path to self-development and personal growth.
 
WHAT IS KARMA
 
Karma is like a scale which we carry with us for a lifetime or many lifetimes. The scale can be as light as a feather or as heavy as a brick wall. The weight of the scale is affected by the quality of your thoughts and actions and this in turn creates karmic patterns in your life. The saying: what goes around comes around, applies to karma.
 
HOW KARMA AFFECTS US
 
Do you consider your life to be easy or simple? Are you living in the flow? Or do you see your life full of challenges, stagnation or disappointments? If the later description resonates with you, then I want you to remember this:  you are influencing the karmic patterns in your life- both favorable and unfavorable patterns.

The good news: karma is not fixed or frozen – it’s mutable. Why? Because energy is mutable and the energy of your thoughts and actions can be changed – by you!
 
KARMA CLEARING TIP #3

Making good choices
 
When you were a toddler you put virtually everything in your mouth. As you grew older and wiser you realized some objects were digestible and some were not. You learned to make better choices.  Now as an adult you may decide to stop smoking or eat better or focus on some other positive behaviour. These good choices you make help fuel your ability to create good karma.
 
I remember working in an office where a few employees loved to gossip. They never had a kind word to say about anyone. One day one of the gossips came by my desk to spread her verbal poison. I stopped her with 3 simple gestures. I placed my hands over my ears, then over my eyes and finally over my mouth. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. The coworker frowned and walked away from my desk. Mission accomplished!  I made a conscious choice not to get involved in negative behaviour- which in turn fuels good karmic patterns in my life.

Be conscious of the choices you make – and try to make the most optimal choice when you can.
 
KARMA CLEARING TIP #4

Forgiveness: lighten your heart, mind and soul
 
Please repeat after me: There are no perfect parents, there are no perfect children and there is no perfect boss!

Are you holding onto emotional baggage such as past hurts, blame, resentments, anger or shame?

In some situations we simply cannot bring ourselves to forgive the other person, but in every situation we need to find the strength and courage to forgive ourselves. Why? Because if we do not forgive ourselves, then we create division within ourselves. That division or inner turmoil is a perfect breeding ground for negative self talk, self sabotage and other destructive karmic patterns. One of the most powerful ways to overcome this inner turmoil and negative emotions is by forgiving ourselves.
 
Here is an excerpt of my first book ‘Raise your Vibration, Transform your Life’ entitled:
 
The Vibration of Forgiveness
 

  • You lighten your heart by removing the heavy weight of the negative experiences(s).
  • You lighten your speech when you stop complaining or accusing others of being responsible for your experiences.
  • You lighten your emotions by releasing feelings of anger, frustration, spite and pain and make room for peace, joy and love.
  • You are free! Forgiveness frees the forgiver. You are no longer enslaved to the circumstances you once thought were controlled by someone else or external forces. You are free to live and to love.
  • Lastly, you gain strength by recognizing your ability to withstand any circumstance or experience—to learn from it—and move forward with your life.

 
Quote of the month: “When you focus on others you create karma, when you focus within you clear karma” ~Anonymous

Stay tuned for Part 3 – in April!

 

SGC admin: Are you ready to go on a refreshing retreat to Costa Rica… :) Check out our previous post and find out how you can! :)  this October (2016) with Dawn James.  Click Here to email Dawn directly… :)

From our inbox to you from: Dailyom on “Rooting Down”

January 27, 2016
Rooting Down
Digging Deep for Healing

by Madisyn Taylor

When you establish a den of peace within your core, you empower yourself to act rather than react in distressing situations.

For many people, apprehension manifests itself in the physical self as a potent feeling of heaviness or nausea situated in the depths of the lower abdomen. And it is there, at the seat of the second or sacral chakra, that we must lovingly and deliberately confront the anxiety. By rooting down into the deepest physical reaches of ourselves, we can cleanse ourselves of unease and replenish the space it has left behind with tranquil awareness. Much of what we encounter in our daily lives has the potential to awaken feelings of nervousness within us or make us question whether we are truly in control of our lives. When you establish a den of peace within your core, you empower yourself to act rather than react in distressing situations. Your balanced second chakra helps you respond productively to the turmoil around you while your inwardly directed attention steadies you.

There are many ways to restore your strength and clear negative energy from your core. To ground yourself and regain your emotional equilibrium, concentrate on the second chakra, picturing it as a funnel of vivid orange light. Reach down toward that light with your awareness and channel your breath into the space it occupies. As you balance the chakra, you will become more adaptive and thus better able to stand strong when faced with rapidly changing conditions. You can channel healing energy into your core by visualizing the area below your belly button as an open space into which you channel white, loving light. Like light and air, sound can be a wonderful tool that helps you find your center. Your voice, when drawn from your core in the form of a deep roar or loud shout, can be the vehicle upon which your anxiety is conveyed into the ether. Take a low stance, much like a football player, root your feet into the earth, and then roar like a lion. Really feel it in your bell! y. It may sound silly, but chances are you will feel much less anxious and much more grounded into your body.

A situation that seems hopeless when viewed from a perspective colored by fear may become easily manageable when approached with a serene heart and mind. As you root down into your core, you’ll discover that the trepidation and helplessness you feel within you is not invincible. Rather, it will respond readily to your efforts to eradicate it, leaving you feeling peaceful and capable of calmly handling any challenging circumstances that arise.

From our inbox to you from: DailyOm on “Understanding all Sides”

January 24, 2016
Understanding All Sides
Owning Your Tendencies

by Madisyn Taylor

Looking at only one side of our life can make us blind to the many other ways of looking at our situation.

Whenever we examine our lives, we examine them from a particular side or angle. Most of us tend to favor one side over the others. For example, we may tend to look at things from an emotional perspective rather than a financial perspective, or we may prefer to think in terms of details rather than the big picture, or vice versa. To a certain degree, this is not a problem, and these tendencies add color to our individual personalities. However, they can also make us one-sided, blind to the many other ways of looking at our situation. Even if we have decided that we are most happy when we focus on one particular side of things, it is always worth exploring the other sides. When we do, we become well rounded, more understanding of other viewpoints, and even more solid in our own.

Perhaps you are a person who tends to see your life in terms of your spiritual well-being. As a result, other concerns such as financial comfort or social standing may not be prominent in your mind as you make decisions. However, taking just a moment to consider those angles will help you in several ways. One, it will enable you to see more clearly what your priorities are and how they influence your life situation. Two, it will enhance your sense of confidence, because you will see your situation from all sides, even as you choose one. And three, it will help you communicate with others about who you are and what you are doing, because you will come from a place of understanding that your own biases and tendencies are unique as are theirs.

Most of us instinctively come at things from a particular angle, and in many cases this is the right way for us. Still, understanding the other angles only strengthens us. When we look at our lives from all sides, we shed light on the big picture, giving ourselves access to many points of view and highlighting more clearly the one we have chosen to take.