John Robbins has been a favorite author of mine since I read Healthy at 100 a few years ago. His style of writing and genuine care and compassion for all life emanates through his words on paper. John is a humanitarian and a peaceful activist. He was born an heir to the ice-cream conglomerate Baskin Robbins and turned his back on the family fortune to pursue a life of authenticity and spiritual freedom. He has written numerous revolutionary books that have been read by millions including Diet for a New America, The Food Revolution and No Happy Cows.

John writes about modern agriculture and the devastating effects that it has on our wellbeing, animals that are raised for meat and dairy and the environment at large. He celebrates living simply and measures success by compassion and kindness.

When I became aware of the extent of damage to Mother Earth and all living beings that occupy the planet I was totally exasperated and disheartened by humanity. Luckily I came across John Robbins’ work … rather than become a fanatical vegan activist, he inspires me to live my values and to express the truth with compassion and love for all people regardless of outside appearances (as difficult as this may be).

I recently heard John Robbins speaking live at The Longevity Now Conference in California. It was amazing to hear his words of wisdom in his own voice. He spoke of the food crisis at large, the importance of GMO labeling and how food in the Western World has become a commodity rather than a connection to life. 

I know from my own experience how life affirming it is to pick an orange from the tree, rip it open with my bare hands in the sunshine with juice running down my face and arms! When we eat food-like products in plastic packaging with longer shelf lives than our own or animal products with absolutely no awareness to how the animal was raised or killed we bypass a most spiritual and primeval connection to all life. If everybody on earth ate with total love and awareness there would be an undeniable connection to each other and a common purpose to treat our planet with respect.

The topic of environmental devastation has been brought to my attention for some time now and the very near future for our planet certainly looks grim. The more that we can connect with each other through the power of love and nature the more likely we are to make a change on Earth for the better. I believe that awareness and love can move fast – we can turn devastation around with a complete flip in our values and a massive global awakening. I know anything is possible. I pray that we all come together through love in the end. 

New York Street Love & me and John Robbins at the Longevity Now Conference

Thank you for reading my blog. As always I appreciate your feedback and comments. Love and peace sisters and brothers …

“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.” 
― Frank Herbert

New-found awareness has shown me that discipline is the cornerstone to achieving whatever we want in life! It gives us the ability, above all else, to see our dreams into fruition.

To be able to get excited about discipline we must firstly define our dream vision for ourselves.

What do I desire? What do I really want? What vision of myself makes me feel outrageously excited? Write it down. See it. Visualize it. In this act alone it is materializing!

We need to nurture the vision as often as we can – this itself takes a large dose of discipline!

While in Noniland I wrote down what I really wanted right now – and conjured up a clear vision in my head of the ideal life that I aspire to. With this powerful guiding focus in my mind it is as if it exists in the here and now. To keep this vision alive and in order for it to transcend reality I meditate and reflect on it twice daily, journal (writing goals, prayers and gratitude) and have a vision board above my desk.

The more I focus on what it is that I want, the easier accomplishing my goals becomes. I visualize my hot and healthy body materializing throughout the agony of Utkatasana (chair pose) in yoga class, and see the blossoming career of my dreams while doing my taxes. In their book Amazing Grace, David Wolfe and Nick Good say it well: “… the single most critical factor in the healing process is the identification with one’s true self and mission in life and then taking action in alignment with that mission.”

When we are super clear on what we want and consistently remind ourselves through meditation, prayer and creative visualization, the commitment to discipline is a fiercely passionate practice. In all the small steps we visualize our infinite potential and divine power.

When we focus our attention on what we want, we come to tasks we would rather not do as a peaceful warrior. The heart of the majestic lion resides inside us and when we commit with full integrity to our desires nothing can stop us from the manifestation of our dreams!

“There is always a way if you are committed.” – Anthony Robbins

Photograph by Beverly Joubert