I am in the final stages to publishing my book.  I am hoping by the end of September or the first of October at the latest!

It has been an incredible, mindful journey of honoring each step in front of me!

(C) 2009 Jill Guntur.  All Rights Reserved

MY ONLINE STORE is open for business!  Just visit my website

I had dinner with a three year old the other day.  I've never pushed her to play with me.  Just have always allowed her space to present herself in the fashion she is comfortable with.  And so, she has circled me every time we meet.  This time she asked me questions.  She showed me some things.  We ate.  Just before she left she turned to her mother and said "I like the Jill".  Her mother asked her why and she said "I see her".  And then she marched out into the snow.

Great lesson.  You simply show up and allow others to see you instead of present yourself to others as you think they should see you.... and it becomes purity and innocence wrapped in something wonderful.

There was a time in my life when the vast majority of my energy and focus went into a concern about what other people thought of me.  I'm not sure that a great many people associate a hyper ego problem with people who are suffering low self esteem.  But, that shoe fits.  It is an all consuming relationship with the perceptions that you fear.  It is ego based.  And it invites a steady diet of suffering.

I think it is the reason the tenant of non-attachment is such a strong and powerful tool.  It is not about being detached.... it is about being non-attached to the identification of things outside you that would define you and keep you from being present in the moment.

After a considerable amount of work and attention, I would say that I do not pay all that much attention to what others think of me.  It is interesting to me when it comes up and those moments tend to be more associated with what I perceive to be a safety issue.  (I care about what others think of my work, etc.)

Finding a pathway to let go of the fear that held me hostage most of my life was a stellar moment, and it doesn't end.  The fear is gone.  I feel free.  I am enthralled with the moment I am living in.  And..... I care very little what other people think of me.

Pure and Simple Ego displaces peace.  I cannot find an example of when that is not the case.  When we seek outside ourselves to define who we are or what we're valued at.... we disturb the peace.  When we invite in fear.... we are no longer at peace. 

I wrote this for my book, and it is too fitting to replicate, so I will simply quote myself.  LOL

"I believe that peace is best held in the absence of fear. Not as a focused presence, but rather the necessary spaces in between things. Much like an indescribably beautiful symphony can only be held in rapture through the use of silence. The notes would have no impact if the silence between the notes didn't punctuate the possibilities. I do not believe that peace is the note. I believe it is the silence that allows the notes to be impactful. To be moving. And sacred. Peace is best held in the absence of the wretched noise of fear that disturbs our being. And if peace, is in fact, held through the absence of fear... it cannot be found. It cannot be conjured. Peace simply takes form when we boldly lay our fears to rest."

C) 2006 Jillianne Simpson

Have been having this conversation a lot lately.  I was brought up to believe there is no difference.  We are of the Earth and Stewards of the Earth.  To be unconcerned for the environment that we live in and live with is to dishonor the life that runs through all of us. 

Just last month Omega broke ground for it's Center for Sustainable Living.  The Center itself will have zero carbon impact and will provide our community and schools with the opportunity to watch a living waste water treatment center offer new life without stripping the environment.  I just feel really proud to be able to watch it unfold since it reflects things that are important to me.  It is nice to see the spiritual commitment to growth be reflected in the physical attention to the care of our Earth.

What an awesome question.  One year ago I had just broken through to the most incredible emotional/spiritual place I'd yet experienced.  A loss of fear and a sense of unending, unconditional love.  In that place, I also found a hope and a desire to manifest my soul's great mate.

around this time I surrendered that wish and simply felt the trust and the love of the Divine.  I opened myself up to receive.

On December 23rd I first connected with the amazing man I will be marrying on this coming December 23rd.

So, I would tell the person I was one year ago..... "Faith Manages"!!!!!!!!!!

I've been asked many times over the years which three people I would invite to supper if I could speak with anyone living or dead. My answer has always been the same, but I find myself expanding the party a little bit these days.

I have always named Harriett Tubman and Corrie Ten Boom and Joan of Arc. Three people who stepped forward with a conviction stronger than their fear of death.

Harriett Tubman was safely in the North and returned to danger that exceeds understanding... because no human being should be held captive.

Corrie Ten Boom and her family hid families and were very active in the underground railroad in Amsterdam. She was eventually imprisoned with her sister (her father died in transit and her sister died while in the concentration camp). She knew that hiding Jews could cost her family everything, including life.... But her conviction to the dignity and rights of all human beings exceeded her concern over death or loss.

Joan of Arc held a conviction that she was to free her homeland from a state of terieny from the English hold on France. She believed that message came from God and she knew her life was forfeit if she followed what she felt led to do. And yet... she sacrificed her life for her country.

In more recent times I find that I have as many heroic symbols. My heart aches sometimes with the strength, courage and conviction present in our fellow human beings.

Immacculee Ilibagiza wrote a book called "Left to Tell". It is the most incredible journey of a very young woman surviving the unending slaughter in Rwanda. With nearly all her family dead and any illusions to the safety of this world of ours shattered, she emerged from the bathroom she'd hidden in for 90 days with seven other women WITH MORE HOPE. Hope and Forgiveness are threaded in her message. It reminded me of Corrie Ten Boom.

Malalai Joya reminds me a little of the conviction of Joan of Arc coupled with the sheer Chutzpa of Harriet Tubman. Joya is a YOUNG 28 year old woman from Afghanistan. She is probably the most famous Afghan woman. She was suspended from her appointment on the Afghan Parliament for calling into question the ethics of other members..... in particular the drug czars and warlords that govern and influence the parliament. Her life became endangered. Prior to this, she was an outspoken opponent to the Taliban when they were in power. She's survived four assassination attempts. She had said this:

"Never again will I whisper in the shadows of intimidation. I am but a symbol of my people's struggle and a servant to their cause. And if I were to be killed for what I believe in, then let my blood be the beacon for emancipation and my words a revolutionary paradigm for generations to come."

This past year, this is what she has had to say:

"They will kill me but they will not kill my voice because it will be the voice of all Afghan women. You can cut the flower, but you cannot stop the coming of Spring."

I stand in awe of the conviction and integrity of people who are able and willing to do the hard work. To hold to what they believe - in the face of death. How many of us are willing to stand by our convictions when they prove inconvenient. Forget about deadly... just inconvenient?

What do you value that you wish to honor with a greater voice or with actions that are in alignment with those values?

HEY FOLKS.... after posting this blog I received a message from someone and I wanted to update and post it here for you. I am jazzed that this film will be shown and want to invite others to join me in watching on the 11th. Here was her message:

Hi Jill,

I thought you might want to know about an extraordinary doc on Malalai Joya that is airing next week on the PBS series WIDE ANGLE. I'm providing details below, please tune in and forward widely!!

A WOMAN AMONG WARLORDS, a program based on Eva Mulvad's award-winning documentary, ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS, follows outspoken Afghani women's rights activist Malalai Joya during the final weeks of her riveting campaign for a seat in the newly formed democratic parliament of Afghanistan.

Women Make Movies is proud to be distributing ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS and we invite you to tune in on September 11th for the national broadcast premiere of A WOMAN AMONG WARLORDS on the acclaimed PBS series WIDE ANGLE!

We'd also like to ask for your help in spreading the word about Malalai Joya's remarkable story!

Here's how you can help:

» Tune in to the broadcast premiere on PBS, Sept 11th at 9pm
(check local listings).
» Forward the announcement below to your colleagues and friends.
» Post a link to the announcement on your website or blog.
[Link to: http://www.wmm.com/enemiesofhappiness/]
» Forward this e-mail to other discussion groups or listservs.

» Learn more about the film: http://www.wmm.com/filmcatalog/pages/c702.shtml
» Learn more about Malalai Joya: http://www.malalaijoya.com/index1024.htm

With the broadcast approaching so quickly, we're doing all we can to solicit support from as many diverse constituencies as possible. Thank you so much in advance for your attention to this request!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Sarah Reynolds
Educational Sales & Marketing Coordinator WOMEN MAKE MOVIES

462 Broadway, Suite 500
New York, NY 10013
tel 212.925.0606 ext. 312 | fax 212.925.2052 sr@wmm.com | www.wmm.com

I was raised in a culture that held respect as the core value all others sprang from.  It is the vital ingredient to me and how I choose to wrap my life.  Accountability runs in for a quick second.  Integrity.  I work at a place dedicated to offering an evolution and growth of the whole person.  When I see people steep themselves in respect (for self, others, planet) and stand in a place of integrity and accountability, I am in awe of what comes out of it.  The extension of love and peace that lives in those places.  When I see someone use all the "right words" and talk a good game, but they are not holding themselves accountable or with an integrity and certainly not threading respect through their words and deeds..... well, it becomes the walking wounded doing a good sales job.