Shane Eric Mathias's Blog, page 6

Down and Out in Beverly Hills - An Unexpected Adventure

It was a beautiful Fall day last week. We decided to take a drive up to Beverly Hills, take in the sights along the celebrated Rodeo Drive, where the movie ���Pretty Woman��� was filmed and the three block ���epicenter of luxury, fashion and lifestyle���, as their website states.

Our first encounter with the neighborhood began when we looked for a parking space. We noticed signs warning that only residents or people with special permits could park along the tree lined streets, festooned by multimillion dollar homes. We inquired of a nice gentleman, waiting outside for a friend to arrive and he confirmed that visitors to the neighborhood could not leave their vehicle without written permission from one of the surrounding owners.

As we searched for other parking options, we imagined a local tycoon, in a Ferrari, speeding down one of the streets, narrowly missing another vehicle, where upon the angered motorist might yell ���hey, do you think you own the damn road?��� to which the well-healed resident would smugly respond, ���well, in fact I do���

      <<<<<<<<<<< ( 0 ) >>>>>>>>>>>>

 

We passed several streets with affluent sounding names like Roxbury Drive and Brighton Way, but one corner stuck in our minds, the intersection of Gregory Way and Peck Drive. The handsome and distinguished actor Gregory Peck lived in Beverly Hills with his wife Veronica for over 30 years, until his passing in 2003. It seemed only right that he should receive just such a designation.

I parked our vehicle, making a mental note of that very corner, so we could later find the car, after a long afternoon of perusing shops and sampling local cuisine. We walked briskly in the cold air toward our destination, not knowing what we would find there.

I lived in Los Angeles long ago, but seemed always too busy to take in the finer side of the city. So though I may have passed Rodeo Drive on many occasions over the years, this was the first time I allowed myself time to take a leisurely stroll through this fashionable paradise.

When we arrived, we were greeted by the absolute grandeur you would expect from one of the most exclusive shopping areas in the world. Giant Christmas trees, brilliantly decorated and sparkling with crystal elegance; carolers singing for passers by; huge windows and small alcoves, welcoming patrons in to sample their finest items. But in spite of the opulent, upper-crust appearance of Rodeo Drive, we found store owners and everyone we encountered to be exceptionally down to earth, affable and warm.

We walked around until well after dark and decided it was time to begin our 3 hour drive home. We meandered back using our original path, eventually arriving again at the memorable corner of Gregory Way and Peck Drive, but our car was no where to be found. It was dark and cold and yet there we stood, at the end of a perfect day, contemplating the possibility that our car had been stolen. Maybe we remembered the car���s location incorrectly. But I was so sure!

The temperature was dropping, our energy was waning and our anxiety was building. What should we do? Call the police? Put ourselves at the mercy of the very institution responsible for keep throngs of visitors from dominating the city's valuable curb space? But what other choice did we have? Maybe the car had indeed been stolen, in which case calling 911 would be the appropriate action. And so I did.

 

By entering 911 on my cell phone, I was immediately connected to the Beverly Hills Police Department. We provided our name, the make and model of the vehicle and our current location to the 'watch commander' and literally, no more than 2 minutes later, Officer Brian Horst appeared on the scene. He told us from his earlier experience, working in East L.A. where car thefts were a daily occurrence, that our particular vehicle would be hard to steal. So we had probably misplaced it. He asked for the key fob and requested we wait, as he drove around, pressing the alarm button in the hope that our car would sound off. He returned several minutes later, saying he hadn���t found the vehicle. We were obviously distressed to hear that, but he requested more information and decided to take a second pass.

There we waited, becoming a spectacle in this understandably watchful neighborhood. I began to plan how we would get home. Maybe AAA would help us rent a car, or maybe we���d stay the night in Beverly Hills. Then I thought, "Oh wait, it���s Beverly Hills! I don���t think I have enough in my bank account or on my credit card to cover even one night". The more I pondered, the fewer choices I realized we had.

Suddenly, officer Horst appeared again, lights flashing and uttering the words we longed to hear over his loud speaker:

"I found it!"

We jumped for joy, like a couple of kids, pumping our fists in the air with glee. 

It turns out that Beverly Hills had charmed us into an altered state, such that, starry eyed, we had parked a block West of that fateful corner, the truth obscured by visions of Gregory Peck walking along the very same sidewalks, proudly admiring his name memorialized in those street signs. But that is not the real story.

The real story is Officer Horst. Once our emergency had passed and we knew where our car was parked, we turned our attention to this friendly hero who had saved our day. He hopped out of the car and into the beam of a nearby street light, to chat a bit before we parted ways.

He was a fresh faced young man who would have looked more at home in a Nordstrom ad than a police car. His broad smile and easy manner was immediately disarming. So much in contrast to the treatment our men in blue receive in the media now-a-days. Abuse of power, misconduct, aggressive tactics and corruption are the key phrases we now often associate with the very force charged with our protection.

It���s easy to forget that these are men and women, not unlike ourselves. They have chosen a life of service and in so doing, place themselves in harm's way every day. As casual observers, it���s so easy to point fingers and find fault. But who among us could face down a potential killer and maintain our composure?

Officer Horst told us that the suicide rate within the U.S. police forces are among the highest of any profession. Divorce and depression are also at epidemic levels and yet, as our world continues to become increasingly dangerous and as we place even more responsibilities in their hands, some resilient souls like this young man still manage to bring relief to our hearts and a smile to our faces.

We shook hands, exchanged holiday greetings and went our separate ways. But from this day forward, we will not forget the young knight who saved a couple, lost in the wilderness of Beverly Hills.

 

Shane Eric Mathias is the author of the ground breaking new book:

The Happiness Tree, now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

To contact the author for speaking engagements, copies or to obtain donated books for fundraising or humanitarian purposes, please email Shane at:

Email: Shane Eric Mathias 

THE HAPPINESS TREE BOOK IS NOW AVAILABLE!

NOW YOU TOO CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON THE GROUND BREAKING BOOK THAT IS CHANGING LIVES WITH THE POSITIVE MESSAGE -

"THE TOOLS TO ACHIEVE LASTING HAPPINESS  ARE ALREADY INSIDE OF YOU"

Read a sample here 

    

This inspiring work demonstrates that Love, Health, Freedom and Purpose are the essential pillars of a functional and happy life: like the limbs of a tree which must be nourished and shaped as we evolve. Strengthening and balancing these critical areas leads to Self Mastery, the only true path to success in anything. 

As a scientist, I was taught a solution exists for every problem and achieving greater life satisfaction was my personal challenge. Using myself as a sort of laboratory, I developed a dynamic flow chart detailing all areas of my life, revealing where certain aspects were weak or missing all together. This strategy led me toward establishing and attaining amazing goals in a short time. Now I wish to share these incredible tools with you, in ���The Happiness Tree'.

Readers will learn that personal empowerment is everyone���s birthright and well within their grasp. I explain in detail how to master their relationships, health creativity and connection to Nature through simple lifestyle modifications.

Throughout the book, you'll find the writing conversational and easily accessible, focusing on areas that challenge all of us at some point in our lives and then revealing practical solutions that tap into the creative gifts already inside of you. 

Get your very own copy now from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. This would make a wonderful gift for yourself or a loved one.

Were you planning on making some important changes this year?

Then you're already on the road to Self Mastery, let the Happiness Tree lend a hand to ensure lasting success. 

Start living with Sustainable Happiness, just by reading and applying the simple principles beautifully described in this valuable resource. 

Read a sample from the inside of the book

Shane Eric Mathias
www.happinesstree.com
semathias@yahoo.com

Please feel free to send questions or comments to my email or by Facebook

 

 

 

THE HAPPINESS TREE BOOK IS FINALLY AVAILABLE!

 

NOW YOU TOO CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON THE GROUND BREAKING BOOK

THAT IS CHANGING LIVES WITH THE POSITIVE MESSAGE -

"THE TOOLS TO ACHIEVE LASTING HAPPINESS
ARE ALREADY INSIDE OF YOU"

 

    

This inspiring work demonstrates that Love, Health, Freedom and Purpose are the essential pillars of a functional and happy life: like the limbs of a tree which must be nourished and shaped as we evolve. Strengthening and balancing these critical areas leads to Self Mastery, the only true path to success in anything. 

As a scientist, I was taught a solution exists for every problem and achieving greater life satisfaction was my personal challenge. Using myself as a sort of laboratory, I developed a dynamic flow chart detailing all areas of my life, revealing where certain aspects were weak or missing all together. This strategy led me toward establishing and attaining amazing goals in a short time. Now I wish to share these incredible tools with you, in ���The Happiness Tree'.

Readers will learn that personal empowerment is everyone���s birthright and well within their grasp. I explain in detail how to master their relationships, health creativity and connection to Nature through simple lifestyle modifications.

 

Throughout the book, you'll find the writing conversational and easily accessible, focusing on areas that challenge all of us at some point in our lives and then revealing practical solutions that tap into the creative gifts already inside of you. 

Get your very own copy now from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. This would make a wonderful gift for yourself or a loved one.

Planning on making some important changes for the New Year? Then you're already on the road to Self Mastery, let the Happiness Tree lend a hand to ensure lasting success. 

Start living with Sustainable Happiness, just by reading and applying the simple principles beautifully described in this valuable resource. 

Read a sample from the inside of the book

 

 

 

To Remain Safe, We Must Evolve With The Times

I cannot authentically write about the struggle for happiness without acknowledging the evil that threatens to challenge it every day.

Yes, I am speaking the ongoing and increasing number of mass shootings that are dominating the news and haunting our thoughts. 

It has been said that Americans appear to have a tolerance for these unspeakable horrors, because in spite of the tragic loss of life and the many families and communities that are affected, life goes on as usual. But what choice do we have? I am sure, like me, many of you are wracking your brain, trying first to understand the twisted logic of individuals and groups that support and carry out these murderous rampages and of course, again like me, no answers emerge. 

 

No one with empathy, integrity and a belief in the sanctity of life, can begin to understand the level of disconnection necessary to mow down men, women and children in cold blood. These are barbaric, cowardly, disgusting, macabre acts of insanity and they must be stopped, but how? No, neither Americans nor the citizens of any other country have a tolerance for murder. But in the face of a conundrum that appears to have no end and no solution, our brains have a built in decoupling mechanism.

We cannot become paralyzed by fear, hatred or frustration to the extent that we���re unable to function, so we compartmentalize. We store away that which we���re unable to process, in some dark recess of our consciousness for later digestion. But, before we can revisit it and find something resembling closure, yet another mass shooting has transpired. 

Probably like you, I have listened to many intelligent leaders from various disciplines, psychologists, politicians and military historians and no one can explain with any degree of satisfaction, what happens in the mind of a mass murderer. In some cases, where religious extremism is involved, the term ���radicalization��� is used, but what does that really mean? One day, you���re a mother, nursing your baby and the next day, you commit an act of murder / suicide, leaving behind your child, family, community? 

Back in the 60���s, we used to call to anyone advocating an end to the Vietnam war, or who espoused and aspired to communist ideals as ���radicals���. But these were not killers! These were individuals with ideas that were not mainstream, but that nonetheless, had a right to air their views under the 1st Amendment. Some even went to jail for a time, arrested for organizing and or participating in protests that became violent. But it was not their intent to kill indiscriminately. Yes, some did die as a result of social upheaval, but those that participated had a message. Whether it was to end the war, extend fair treatment to minorities, increase pay and benefits for the middle class, whatever, though many disagreed with their methods, maybe even their message, at least their passion could be understood by and articulated to the masses. 

No these are not radicals, as they have no message! They have no vision for a better society: to raise certain individuals out of poverty or to make quality healthcare accessible to everyone. Their entire reason to exist has been reduced to acts of terror that have no motive other than to kill as many as possible. To call these monsters animals is to give animals a bad name. The only way to describe and view them is as human shells. Apparitions, that though appearing mortal, have died from the inside out and now seek to die physically in an act of spectacular horror that resembles their nihilistic, apocalyptic concept of creation. 

But this is not just a just a recent development, nor one that can only be pinned only on one religious or cultural group. This is a societal epidemic that has been brewing for some time and involves a variety of individuals from a diverse background. See below

List of mass killings

Many perpetrators are found to have had a history of depression and taking or just having ceased taking psychotropic drugs.

A contagion-like effect that predisposes unstable individuals to commit mass shootings within 2 weeks of having witnessed one on television has also been noted. 

Other profiles of mass killings: More than half of the cases involved school or workplace shootings (12 and 20, respectively); the other 30 cases took place in locations including shopping malls, restaurants, and religious and government buildings. Forty-four of the killers were white males. Only one was a woman. (See Goleta, Calif., in 2006.) The average age of the killers was 35, though the youngest among them was a mere 11 years old. (See Jonesboro, Ark., in 1998.) A majority were mentally troubled���and many displayed signs of mental health problems before setting out to kill.

See article

In conclusion, how then can we who remain begin to cope with this evolving reality?

Each time another one of these incidents happen, the harangue for gun control begins again. I am philosophically split on the issue, I can see merit to both sides of the argument. But one fact has emerged which tends to make me believe tighter gun control alone will not solve this problem: There are between 300-320 million guns already in circulation in the United States. Basically one for every man, woman and child. Even if we could magically stop all ���legal��� gun sales, there are more than enough units available to any aspiring evildoer. Bare in mind, the latest shooting in San Bernardino was carried out with guns acquired from a friend of the perpetrator. They were originally purchased legally over three years ago, by that individual. 

We have to change our behavior! Yes, it���s unfortunate, but true: though we want to continue living ���normally���, by doing so, we make ourselves a target. Ah, but I can hear the nay-sayers who will protest that by altering our activities, we are essentially living out of fear. Folks! To say we���re not all afraid is to be in denial. Fear is a normal and appropriate response to these events. And it is useful, because it motivates us to do something to feel more in control, less vulnerable while we work on long term solutions. And this will get solved. History teaches us that societal trends come and go. This is a particularly pernicious one indeed, but it will eventually burn out. In the meantime, we just have to adapt and wait.

Here is what I propose: 

Avoid gathering in groups -

Shopping malls, clubs, theaters, restaurants, fairs, parties, etc. Any event that occurring in a public venue with more than 20 or 30 individuals should be avoided. This will be a big adjustment and one that may have a substantial impact on the entertainment industry, but it is necessary. Some venues of course cannot be avoided, such as schools, airports, train stations and places of employment, and security for these facilities should be increased substantially. But where recreation and festivities are concerned, individuals and families should return to meeting in small groups in homes or parks, with people they know. 

2. Stay constantly vigilant -

When drinking and partying, it���s easy to become relaxed, in fact that is the objective. But we all need to now find a happy medium between relaxation and vigilance, serenity and awareness. When someone you don���t recognize enters the room, make a mental note. Ask a host or organizer how they���re related to the gathering. It���s very easy for strangers to enter a gathering, relatively unnoticed, because everyone assumes they must be someone else���s friend or family member. Don���t assume. Ask. If no one knows who they are, assume the worst and gather a group to confront the intruder or call the police. Even if your suspicions turn out to be wrong, we must err on the side of caution. This is how calamities can be prevented. 

3. Have a plan - Whenever you do have to enter a building, office, airport, restaurant, whatever, get there a little early and scope out an escape route. I know this seems neurotic and paranoid, but it may save your life one day. When violence begins, people���s natural reaction is to huddle in place. The lights are cut, smoke fills the room, screaming and confusion ensue. You have to fight this impulse and speed, like a heat-seeking missile, to the nearest exit. 

4. Report odd behavior - In the most recent incident, (San Bernardino), a neighbor observed that an unusual number of deliveries and suspicious activities were taking place at the condo occupied by the couple that would later kill 14 people at a Community Services center. She thought about reporting what she saw, but was concerned that she might be labeled as a ���profiler���, since she knew the occupants to be of Middle Eastern origin. 

We are a polite, empathetic and cautious culture. We want to believe the best about the people in our midst, but it is just this characteristic that puts us at risk. And it���s is a misperception to pin all mass shootings on religious extremism. Many, especially in schools are carried out by young, white men, or even children who suffer from emotional problems. As a society, we need to do a better job of identifying individuals whose perception of reality is becoming distorted, get them the treatment they need and for god sake, keep them away from guns. But that kind of intervention I fear is a long way off. 

Additionally, it���s obvious we cannot count on our dedicated police or intelligence services to keep us safe from every threat. The reality of terrorism and mass murder is ever present, inconspicuous and morphing in unexpected ways. Each person must take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of their family. As Albert Einstein said: the definition of insanity is doing the same thing, over and over and expecting a different result. The potential for violence is now present in every country, large and small cities alike. We must meet the challenge by adapting our behavior to make ourselves and those we love less vulnerable. 

 

Shane Eric Mathias

Email

Facebook

Twitter

Plants vs Pets, Which is More Likely to Promote Happiness?

Yes, there certainly are positives to owning a pet: companionship, possibly protection from intruders, etc.

But there are also annoyances, financial costs and risks to your health that accompany living with animals. Here are a few to consider. 

 

 

(Later, we���ll talk about the numerous benefits plants bring into your home and life, with very little downside).

1. Disease: Pets can make you sick. It���s true, many people are allergic to pet hair and dander and they may not realize it until they bring their cute little companion home with them. But once the emotional bond is made, it���s often too difficult for new pet owners to back out of the deal, so they suffer with runny nose, itchy eyes and fatigue. 

Furthermore, pets can carry diseases that are transmittable to humans. Round worms and tape worms often infect dogs and some can even bore through your skin. Once inside of your body, they can reek havoc and cause serious illness. 

Another very serious condition that is affecting an increasing number of people across the globe is Lyme disease. It is transmitted to humans via tiny mites and spiders and our animals can bring these into our homes, hidden in their fur. While relaxing on the sofa or laying in bed with out pets, we might become unknowingly infected, suffering for months or years with symptoms that are difficult to diagnose. Often by the time Lyme is identified, it is too late. The damage to joints, heart, brain and central nervous system are irreversible. 

 

Fleas in your home? Yes, invariably, if you bring a pet indoors, you will have fleas. If you have carpeting, the infestation can be, well��� disgusting! So, you have a choice, to use a flea collar, which may or may not work, especially for large dogs, with lots of body mass, or you can have monthly injections of insecticide, which are indeed poison and will definitely shorten the life of your pet. Either way, you���re introducing toxic chemicals into your home in a dubious effort to control nasty bugs. 

Unpredictable Behavior:

Many people regard their pets as almost human, dressing them up in outfits, feeding them at the dinner table and buying them presents for special holidays. But the truth is, pets retain a wild streak, sometimes causing them to react violently for no apparent reason. This violence may be directed at the owner, visitors or passers-by, even children and the results can be devastating. 

In 2014 there were 42 fatal dog attacks in the USA. This was a sharp rise over the prior several years, which saw 30 to 35 fatal maulings annually. Each year, more than 350,000 dog bite victims are seen in emergency rooms, and approximately 850,000 victims receive medical attention. Data that the CDC collected in the USA between 2001 and 2003 indicated there were 4.5 million dog bite victims per year, but that figure appears to be rising. It���s estimated that as much as 1 billion dollars are paid out to dog bite victims per year, as a result of lawsuits representing a substantially liability for the owner. In 2014, dog bites resulted in 42 deaths in the U.S. alone. 

The Economic Toll - Aside from all that, pets, like children, require ongoing feeding and care, here are the following average estimates for the cost of owning a dog or cat, according to the ASPCA:

One-time pet expenses

���Spaying or Neutering: Dog: $200 / Cat: $145

���Initial Medical Exam: Dog: $70 / Cat: $130

���Collar or Leash: Dog: $30 / Cat: $10

���Litter Box: Cat: $25

���Scratching Post: Cat: $15

���Crate: Dog: $95

���Carrying Crate: Dog: $60 / Cat: $40

���Training: Dog: $110

���Total One-time Costs: Dog: $565 / Cat: $365

Annual pet expenses

 

Food: Dog: $120-240/ Cat: $145
Annual Medical Exams: Dog: $235 / Cat: $130
Litter: Cat: $200
Toys and Treats: Dog: $55 / Cat: $25
License: Dog: $15
Pet Health Insurance: Dog: $225 / Cat: $175
Miscellaneous: Dog: $45 / Cat: $30
Total Annual Costs: Dog: $695 / Cat: $705

Data obtained from the ASPCA

 

Now Compare this to owning a plant or having a garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Positives: 

Plants in the house 

Create texture, color and beauty

Once planted, they require very little in the way of care. 

Plants help to clean the air and exhale oxygen, keeping the atmosphere fresh

They stay put, rather than tearing apart the sofa in a fit of rage

Plants in the Garden

Improve the value of your home

May add beauty and scent to your outdoor environment

Depending on the variety, many plants produce edible fruits, leaves that can be used as tea, or flowers that can decorate a salad

Large shrubs and trees can provide shade and create privacy for an exposed yard

Many plants attract local and migratory animals like birds, butterflies and bees, thereby bringing Nature into your life. 

Some plants like Plumeria, Succulents and Cactus, can be regenerated many times over, creating a potential source of income. 

Caring for plants gets you outside, bending, stretching and kneeling. 

Contact with the soil actually promotes positive emotions through an increase in serotonin production. 

Negatives:

Some plants have nasty thorns that can cut or injure unsuspecting passers by

Initial cost for soil, fertilizer and potting materials

Ongoing expense for water, (more or less, depending on the plant).

Periodic expense for certain pests, such as beetles, ants and flies. 

Conclusion:

It���s unlikely that your rosebush is going to uproot itself one day and chase the mailman down the road. And if your favorite Peony dies from lack of water, it���s doubtful that you���ll need to seek therapy to overcome your grief. Overall, the cost/benefit ratio of gardening far outweighs the expense and hassle of owning a pet. Even if you can���t get your Princess Flower to cuddle up in your lap and fall asleep.

Shane Eric Mathias

Email

Facebook

Twitter

IS YOUR OWN BRAIN WORKING AGAINST YOU?

Do you often feel that your life is out of control? Maybe you have lived this way most or all of your life and come to believe that it���s normal. Sad, but normal. 

Well, it isn���t. 

Yes, stress is everywhere: at home, at work, family, finances, health challenges, the news��� don���t get me started. Modern life certainly presents us with difficult challenges. But what if I told you there is a proven way to meet and manage those challenges much more effectively, with confidence and calmness?

You see, there is not much we can do about the world around us. Even our own family evolves in ways that leave us scratching our heads. The only thing we can control is how we perceive and respond to the issues and events that confront us. 

Yes, I know, you���ve heard it all before: ���mind over matter���, ���take a deep breath���, ���don���t sweat the small stuff���. It all starts to sound so cliche after a while and when push comes to shove, it doesn���t work. Does it?

Why? Because there is more you need to do to change your relationship to the world around you. Change Your Brain!

From the time you were a child, like all of us, your body and brain have been under assault. Some of the damage done was self-inflicted: too much alcohol, too much partying in general, anger, depression from poor or failed relationships. That makes sense right? But there are many other, more subtle things that have a negative, ongoing and long term effect on your command center:

Poor diet

Lack of sleep

Lack of exercise

High blood pressure

Excessive weight

Diabetes

Smoking

Pharmaceutical drugs

Lack of Vitamin D

And the list goes on and on.

We think of the items on the list above as affecting the body, but they also damage the brain. But don���t despair! Recent discoveries have revealed that the brain is malleable, dynamic and able to heal, given the right conditions. And all the things listed above can be fixed, with a little dedication and hard work. And you don���t need me to lecture you on how to accomplish these things, there is lots of literature and online content on improving your diet, getting more exercise, sleep hygiene and so on. You just have to do it. 

But what may surprise you is that when you do, your life actually changes. Stress becomes more manageable, relationships improve, or you find the strength to leave them, your problem solving skills improve immensely and new solutions seem to appear without effort, you have more energy to play, create, entertain, travel, whatever.

 

 
Life suddenly seems fun and enjoyable.

 

You���ll come to realize that while it may indeed be ���normal��� to feel out of control, it certainly is not optimal. And you don���t have to live that way. 

Improve your health > Improve your brain > Improve your life. 

Start today! 

 

Shane Eric Mathias

Email

Facebook

Twitter

How the Absence of Hope is Contributing to a New Culture of Hate.

The terrorist attacks we have just witnessed in Paris are shocking and I wish I could tell you that the worst is over, but I cannot. I have listened carefully to two very different groups on the subject of jihadi terrorism, politicians and intellectuals and the intellectuals have it right. Politicians will have you believe that there is always a military solution. That through the use of boots, bullets and bombs, we will one day restore peace and of course, even as I write it, the entire concept flies in the face of logic. Violence begets violence and even if it were possible to kill every individual who claims membership in one particular terrorist organization or another, a new one is already forming or will form to take it���s place. 

This ���Western��� approach to conflict is akin to the Western medicine: rather than seeking to understand the root cause of illness,  it devises toxic interventions to defeat the invader. The problem is, this solution is often worse than the original malady. The patient may in fact die from complications that arise from the very strategies intended to restore health. 

A more holistic paradigm is however gaining favor among those who study the formation and evolution of human conflict and they are revealing how in the absence of hope and happiness, radical ideas can easily take hold. To illustrate the simple logic of this idea, let���s assume you have volunteered as a mentor to troubled youth. Your first assignment involves a young man who has recently joined a local gang. He was arrested and his mother, unable to reason with him sent him for special counseling. As luck would have it, you���re a particularly talented counselor and are able to gain the boy���s confidence. He begins to tell you the steps that led him to seek involvement in criminal activities. Here is what he tells you:

 __________________________________________________________

���My father left home when I was 10. I have no siblings, so to keep me busy, Mom bought me a game console to play with after school, which she was at work. The gaming kit came preloaded with some boring stuff and I lost interest pretty quickly. But then a friend brought over this cool one that was like a realistic war scene. He and I would be on opposing sides and we were killing each others forces. Each time I hit one of his men, there was lots of blood and screaming. I loved the power. 

Then I ordered even more intense games over the internet. I was throwing grenades and setting off bombs. People were getting blown to bits and I couldn���t stop. But then Mom saw that I wasn���t doing my homework, that I would spend every possible moment on these games and she took them all away. Suddenly, I had nothing to do and I missed the action and excitement. Then i saw some guys at school, they looked tough and strong, everyone was afraid of them and they seemed to enjoy the way they effected people. Girls were always wanting to be around them and even though they looked mean, I imagined they were having more fun than anybody.

So one day, I got up the nerve to walk up to one of them during a lunch break. I was afraid, but then also excited, I didn���t know if he would hit me or think I was cool for being brave. To my surprise, he was really easy to talk to and his life story was similar to mine. His Dad was an alcoholic and his Mom was confined to a wheel chair. He had been pretty much on his own since he was 12. Like me, he never really had a family and then he found out about this gang and kind of started hanging around them.

One day, they told him he could join, but the would have to pass an initiation. He said it was really hard and painful, but afterward, he felt really strong and manly and his new family embraced him. They said ���man, you���re one tough mother fucker. We really gave it to you and you kept getting up. You���ve really earned a place in our gang. From now on. we���ll always have your back. No one will ever fuck with you again. You���re one of us now���. He said, ���It felt so amazing, finally someone liked and respected me���. 

���That���s what I wanted and so I joined as well. It solved so many problems. I was never bored anymore, because my homies were always doing something cool, stealing cars, planning attacks on rival gangs, having parties and orgies. I had my first of many sexual encounters at one of these parties. They even paid me out of the money they made selling car parts and drugs. For the first time, I had my own money. I wasn���t stuck at home anymore, thinking what a boring, fucked up life I had���. 

Several weeks ago, one of our homies was attacked by a rival gang and it was bad. They stabbed him in the neck, cut off his ear, burned his hair and kicked him in the balls and stomach, over and over. He was in the hospital for days. Our leader, Jack was totally pissed because not only was this guy one of ours, he was  also Jack���s brother. He was bent on revenge and we began planning how we were going to fuck them up.

That was the first time I saw a real gun. I held it in my hand and loved the cold heaviness of it. I loved the sound it made when you cocked it and loaded the bullets. We went to a firing range and practiced and it felt so natural, like I had been doing it all my life. And in a way I had, because of those video games. I knew how to aim and what the recoil felt like. Even the sound was familiar. But the smell of gunpowder was something new. It was so sweet to my nose, I couldn���t get enough. My homies were so surprised how well I handled the gun, they told me ���you���re going to nail those fuckers, they haven���t got a chance against you dude!���. It made me feel so powerful and important. I went home that night and dreamt about killing all of them. I wanted to do it for Jack. I wanted him to like me. I wanted him to be like the big brother I never had���. 

But then Buzz, one of our guys got cold feet. He got scared and went to the police. He told them that the gang was plotting a revenge and they had guns. One day, they showed up at Jack���s house with a warrant. They found all his guns and the names of the guys he was going to hit. He got arrested and they forced him to tell them all the other people that were involved in the gang. That���s how I ended up here. I wasn���t charged with anything, but they forced me to enter youth counseling to keep me from getting in more trouble.  

__________________________________________________________

Now, imagine this same young man, four years later. He is now 19. He cannot find a job, he has no positive male role models, he has dropped out of high school and he spends his days playing video games or getting into trouble. One day, while surfing the internet, he finds a video about making money ���fighting for justice in Syria���. They offer any man or woman who wants to join, free plane fare, adventure, glory, riches, brotherhood and advancement in the ���new world order���. He���s not educated about the conflict in the Middle East. He doesn���t listen to the news or read the paper, he has no idea what is really going on there, hell, he barely knows what day it is. Why should he care? He has no future. Suddenly, this video offers everything that seems unattainable at home���. and he signs up. 

This is the typical profile of young men, who by the thousands, are leaving home and heading for conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan. We are witnessing now that these radical conflicts act like a vortex, drawing in directionless young people through the use of social media and once there, they are brainwashed through a well orchestrated indoctrination process and if they live long enough, they begin to adopt the persona of a jihadi fighter. They are loathe to return home to the land that they now reject as the part of the world where ���the infidels��� reside. Even if they are able to leave and rejoin their community, they are forever changed. They see the world differently and are unrecognizable to their friends and family. It is a tragedy of incalculable proportions and it appears that our current strategy is only serving to intensify the magnetic effect this conflict is having on our youth. What can be done? 

As with all campaigns of deception, any brainwashing process involves sympathizing with a vulnerable individual's plight, by laying down certain truths One such truth is that the world economy has been severely damaged by greed and mismanagement and those at the bottom of the economic ladder, namely the poor, lower middle class and especially young men, see no prospect for a brighter future. Another truth is that men have become increasingly insignificant in Western society. Women are exceeding men in college enrollment and graduation rates, they are willing and able to take on and excel in the new global economy, which emphasizes communication and networking, where as the skills that men intrinsically bring to the table, those that involve strength and manual dexterity are becoming obsolete. The products upon which our civilization relies are now being manufactured cheaply in Asia. They are so cheap in fact that when they break, there is no point to pay a worker to fix them. It���s easier to just buy a new one. 

With no vision for a way to earn a living, dating, marrying and starting a family must seem like a rite of passage that is closed to them. To say nothing of the fact that they themselves may have been raised in a broken home. Then, along comes one of several terrorist organizations vying for their attention. They promise friendship, family ties, prestige, responsibility, meaning and purpose and most of all a way to take revenge against the status quo. And let���s be honest, when it comes to providing jobs, a living wage, opportunities for advancement, adequate access to food, shelter, health care and education, many countries get a failing grade. In response, a revolution is quickly building, but unlike revolutions of the 60���s and 70���s that attempted, unsuccessfully to address racial and income disparities, young people are no longer taking to the streets, looting, throwing rocks, blocking streets, fighting with police and getting thrown in jail. No, theirs is a quiet revolution, one that takes place in bedrooms and libraries throughout the world. One that is inspired by images of power, glory and opportunity via the very nexus of communication that was ironically intended to unite the world: the internet. 

How then can we rid the world of this pernicious threat? Politicians will tell you we can spend our way to safety, by going after the bad guys and killing them. But honestly, the ���bad guys��� are being recruited faster than they can be killed. And even if it were possible to kill everyone in a given organization, another one that already exists or that quickly forms will take it���s place. The threat does not come only from one group or another, but rather from a broad based and growing anger about the increasing disparity between the haves and the have-nots. 

Therefore the solution to this problem doesn���t lie in exporting military might to far-flung regions of the Middle East, but rather committing resources here at home to create real opportunities for each and every individual to succeed. Spend more money on our crumbling infrastructure, repairing roads, bridges, railways, tunnels, water mains and sewer systems and train young men and women to participate in that renovation, paying them a living wage as they learn. 

Improve mental health screening for children and young adults to identify those at risk of going on to either commit crimes or join gangs and terrorist organizations. Place a rating system on violent video games similar to those instituted in the past to protect children from explicit movies. Games with an X or XX would be unable to be sold to children under 18. 

And finally, reinstitute the draft. Yes, the draft, but not to serve overseas and perhaps be killed in a senseless war. Rather to join a new National Guard, whose mission will be to provide protection for schools, libraries, hospitals, parks, playgrounds, government buildings and cities. While our police do an admirable job of responding to crime, their mandate does not include prevention. If we were to embark on this ambitious campaign to remake our cities, provide equal access to food, medicine and education to all youth and families, it would still take many years to reverse the tide of discontent we are now seeing rise up against us. Even under the best of circumstances, these acts of terror will continue for several years and we need to have a plan in place to keep our children and all citizens safe. That will involve maintaining a military presence at all public venues and institutions. Accomplishing this will require a huge influx of manpower and the only way to provide that will be through conscription. But unlike sending Johnny or Janet to a Afghanistan, Iraq or Syria, from which they are likely to return in a box or wheel chair, service in the National Guard would provide discipline, camaraderie and real world problem solving skills in their own town or city, while paving their way for future success in any number of chosen fields of study provided by the Guard. 

Yes, I know we are all loathe to see officers with semi-automatic weapons guarding the entrances to our schools and institutions. But becoming a victim of a terrorist attack in our own neighborhood will be an even more difficult pill to swallow. And from what we have just witnessed in Paris, it is very likely that one or more terrorist groups are right this minute, planning to do just that somewhere in the United States. 

Don���t be soothed into an unrealistic sense of security by believing that the right president or the right military approach will keep terror from our shores. It is coming folks and the road to a more peaceful world will not be paved through attack and revenge strategies, but by providing would-be jihadi���s a better future at home than they think they will get by fighting with ISIS.  

- Shane Mathias

For comments or questions or to reprint any part of this article.

 

How You Can Vanquish Apathy Through Innovation

The Truth of Interconnectedness Provides Valuable Insight

There is emerging science that now is validating what teachers of ancient spiritual traditions have been trying to communicate for centuries: that we, our bodies, our actions, even our emotions and all creation inhabit one fluid dimension. A dimension which Max Planck called ���The Matrix���.

No this is not the stuff of Tom Cruise movies or Hollywood special effects, but there is no doubt that many of the concepts for that script were inspired by Prof. Planck���s early work in the area of Quantum Physics: a term and field of study that he pioneered.

Our western religious teachings and even past scientific perspectives held that each of us is a self contained entity, separate and apart from everything around us, save God. From this mindset, we have built a civilization that operates on the concept that competition and conflict are a necessary part of human life.

Darwin taught us that survival depends on being the strongest and that ideology has permeated every aspect of human interaction. We have observed in society that a desire to control rather than cooperate breeds conflict, which begets violence. Eventually revenge becomes the only objective.

 

In the corporate and political world, the relentless drive for supremacy compels governments and companies to break laws and behave in an immoral fashion, putting peoples health, financial security, even their very lives at risk, to achieve greater profits or hegemonic control over their constituents. 

But this chaotic existence is in opposition to everything we are now learning about how the universe operates. The most desirable result of these discoveries would of course be humanity evolving to live more harmoniously-like the seamless field of energy that we now know is holding all existence together. 

As individuals though, we have little power to control global affairs directly. Competition over precious resources, economic prosperity, arable land, water, energy, religious ideals and even living space have made our planet smaller, causing disparate cultures to rub elbows and struggle for supremacy.

But that doesn't mean that in the absence of a collective epiphany, there is no hope.

How can we then, as individuals, begin to incorporate these exciting developments into our lives to achieve greater effectiveness and happiness? 

_____________________________________________________

By reorienting our relationship to world events 

from one of apathy to one of innovation. 

______________________________________________________

For those of you who were born to the Millennial generation or are even younger, you may never have known a world without computers, the internet, phones and texting, etc. But rest assured, the world of global communication was once very different and it wasn���t that long ago.

 

 

In the 1970���s and 80���s, when I was collaborating with a friend across the country to write songs, I would record my guitar and voice on to a cassette tape and mail it to him.

Now of course, we can use Skype and send our performance ���real-time���, from screen to screen. And while I can now save ideas and images to my computer, the songs and poems I was composing as a young man now live only in my library as aging reminders of a bygone age. An age when the only ways to document your thoughts were either through the use of pencil and paper or typewriter. But thanks to intrepid visionaries, like Steve Jobs, a completely new paradigm of recording and communicating thoughts has been woven into the fabric our lives. 

Other such (now-a-days, ubiquitous), technologies that were not so long ago only the stuff of science fiction movies are digital cameras, cell phones, all electric cars and solar-powered homes. Yes, we now all accept these as mundane realities, but they would not exist if not for the creative thoughts and actions of people no so different from you and me. 

My point is, it is possible for one person or several people working together, to change the world. Your life represents a microcosm of the creative power of the universe and when your ideas and passions are focused into one intense beam of effort, amazing things can result.

But you don���t have to be a Steve Jobs or Elon Musk to make a difference. You can use innovation to influence improvements to your home, your company or your community.

Conceive new ways live more sustainably with Nature. Drive less, use water and other resources more thoughtfully and most importantly, find a patch of terra firma where you can begin to cultivate life. Our incredible planet is endlessly productive and with a little help, every place on Earth is capable of supporting plant and animal life. 

My girlfriend and I have patch of land the our back yard that was once barren, with the exception of some opportunistic weeds. We decided to turn it into a garden, which was no easy task. First of all, the land is sloped, so any water applied to plants there, would result in wasted runoff. So we had to use a terracing technique, as old as the Gardens of Babylon. Every culture throughout history that has been faced with the challenge of sloping land has devised a similar solution.

It took about 6 months of intense labor and a fair amount of materials, but now we have 16 fruit trees, a vegetable garden, grapes, berries and a new vantage point from which we can enjoy the setting sun every evening. From the Earth���s bounty, we now create delicious meals, preserve fruits to enjoy later or give as gifts. And through the maintenance of our little farm, we attain all the exercise and sunshine we need, while strengthening our relationship though the enjoyment of a shared activity.

This too is innovation and though small in scale, it has the ripple effect of influencing all those who witness or benefit from the effort. 

The take home message here is: Pour your love and care into some sacred creation and watch your efforts bare the fruit of abundance and satisfaction. Regardless of how big or how small, it is through this change in your perceptual relationship to Nature, in all it���s magical and mysterious perfection, that you will begin to discover hope.

Where there is hope, apathy cannot survive. 

-Shane Eric Mathias

 

The Healthiest, Youngest Looking Skin Possible, for Around $15 a Month

.....When it comes to skin care, there is a lot of misinformation and deliberate deception going on, in the interest of generating huge profits for cosmetic companies.

 

So let's cut through the hype and talk about the simple science of healthy skin and how little it takes to keep you looking your very best.

 

 

Let's agree on something first: the appearance of your skin says more about your age and overall health than any other single factor. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and in addition to protecting your internal organs, muscles and bones, it provides many other critical functions, including production of Vitamin D, (an essential nutrient, necessary for life), keeping out infection and maintaining body temperature.

 

If you smoke, use tanning booths or spend excessive time in the sun without protection the following information will be of little use to you, as the damage caused by these activities can be extensive and permanent. However, if you���re wishing to counteract the affects of aging and normal wear and tear on your skin, you���ll regard what I am about to share with you as a godsend, which in fact it is, because this simple daily habit involves three components that are derived directly from nature. 

Bear in mind - I am not selling anything. I will suggest products you can make, buy down the street or online and I have absolutely no financial interest in any company or product. If you have sensitive skin, please consult your physician before using any of the products discussed below.

But before we get to that, I want to establish some facts about skin care that are sorely missing in corporate media campaigns. 

 ___________________________________________________________

Moisture

It is true, that the primary quality of healthy skin is that it is sufficiently hydrated. But let me stress, MOISTURE IS WATER, not oil. Putting special emollients, creams, salves, whatever on your skin will not in and of themselves increase or preserve moisture. So those expensive concoctions and preparations that claim to "moisten the skin", forget it! Only water can moisten your skin and the trick is to keep your skin as hydrated as possible, it's that simple folks. So what is the best way to do that?

Your skin has it's own moisture preservation system called Sebum. Sebum is a complex mixture of naturally produced fats, oils, waxes, cholesterols and other molecules. It is important to remember that the fats and oils present in sebum do not originate directly from the fats and oils consumed in the diet. Rather, sebum is manufactured and stored by the sebaceous glands under the direction of a highly specialized biological process. As you get older, or if you have one of several factors that reduce the production of sebum, your skin will not retain moisture well and additional measures may become necessary. If so, the following solutions are incredibly simple and positively cheap!

But how does your skin receive moisture in the first place? One important daily ritual is essential for replacing the moisture that was lost overnight is the shower. In the shower, heat opens up your skins pores and the shower head atomizes the water into tiny droplets that easily make their way to the deeper layers of your skin. However, when you step out into the drier air, that precious moisture quickly begins to evaporate. You must immediately apply a physical barrier to keep air out. Over the years people have come to believe that heavy oils and creams are the answer But there is a much more effective and inexpensive solution that has been used by native peoples for thousands of years:

Aloe Vera Gel - Cleopatra is rumored to have used Aloe Vera to keep her skin smooth and supple and that same amazing plant is still with us today. Not only is it effective for treating skin conditions ranging from dandruff to eczema, bee stings and sunburn, it is also superb at maintaining skin hydration. The gel has a unique property that allows it to maintain it's aqueous state until it hits the air. It then dries immediately, leaving a monolayer of protection that keeps in moisture and keeps out potentially damaging particles of pollution. 

You can grow the plant easily yourself in your back yard or sunny window sill or you can buy 100 percent gel from any retailer of skin and hair care products. Extracting the gel is a simple process, so even the bottled form of the substance remains relatively inexpensive.

 

 

 

The brand I use, is: Fruit of the Earth - 100% Aloe Vera Gel: (Available from Amazon or Walmart) But you are by no means limited to buying this brand. Any product that contains 100% Aloe Vera will provide the same amazing results. 

 

____________________________________________________________ 

Cellular defense and repair

Jojoba Oil: Though Aloe provides a protective layer, keeping in moisture, it is permeable to certain organic compounds and one of those thankfully is Jojoba oil, which I why I apply it directly after the Aloe has dried on my skin. Jojoba is actually not an oil, but a liquid wax. It���s a melted type of vegetable wax and is found in the seeds/nuts of jojoba plant, which is an evergreen woody shrub plant that grows in hot areas, such as desert areas of California, Arizona and Mexico. It is odorless and has a number of healthy benefits for the skin. it is packed with almost all of the vitamins and minerals essentially needed for healthy hair and skin, namely, vitamin E, B-complex, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium. Jojoba oil lessens irritated skin and promotes natural production of collagen. It protects from sun and prevents premature aging symptoms, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Jojoba is the only oil that closely resembles human sebum ��� an oily substance naturally produced by the oil glands below the skin surface, so its uses and benefits to the skin and hair are numerous. It is a perfect choice for those who want to use natural products for their skin, hair and face care. It normally does not have any harmful impact and can be used by even those who have sensitive skin, without worrying for any allergic reaction. 

Jojoba also has some other unexpected benefits that include reducing the destructive effects of oxidation from pollution and sun exposure. The vitamin E which naturally occurs in jojoba absorbs these radical ions and prevents them from reacting with sensitive skin cells. And surprisingly, it���s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities make it an effective defense against acne, eczema and rosacea. 

 

 

Jojoba oil is available from many sources, but one that I like, trust and use is Trader Joe's 100% Pure Jojoba Oil. You can purchase it from their brick and mortar stores, if you have one nearby, or you can find it on Amazon. Click on the picture to be rerouted to their page. 

 

 

 ____________________________________________________________

 Exfoliation (Removal of dead skin cells)

The final component in this triage system of skin care (which is actually done before applying Aloe and Jojoba is Exfoliation. You have probably heard the term, but didn���t know what it meant. Simply put, it is the removal of dead skin cells that can alter it���s normal porosity, function and appearance. In older adults, the production of new skin slows down, which retards the natural sloughing of dead cells from the surface. This can limit the ability of your Aloe and Jojoba to penetrate where you most need it. Plus, it can cause patches of uneven color that may eventually lead to bacterial infections and inflammation. There are two ways to exfoliate the skin, physically and chemically. I prefer the physical method, first of all because it doesn���t involve essentially burning the skin with acids and secondly, it���s more uniform and effective. The best and most natural way I have found to remove dead skin from the face is a salt scrub and you can easily make it yourself.

I prefer the feeling of larger granules so I start with kosher salt or Epsom salt, which can be purchased inexpensively anywhere. Find a large mouthed plastic jar that can be put in the shower and fill it first with a healthy oil, like avocado, almond, olive or grape seed. Then add the salt of your choice to the oil by using a spoon until you achieve a thick slurry that holds together in your hand when you extract it from the jar. Now add a few drops of naturally derived fragrances like lavender, eucalyptus or gardenia for a pleasant scent. Use this scrub on your face, hands, elbows and knees no more than once a day. If you have sensitive skin, consider reducing frequency to weekly applications. Apply and rub gently over the surface, there is no need to press hard. Let the salt do all the work. After you rinse, you���ll be left with a feeling of exhilaration on the fresh, new skin that you���ve liberated. 

 

If you don���t feel like making your own, I have discovered a simply wonderful product made by Trader Joe���s, Lavender Salt Scrub. 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you decide to buy these products online, in a store or make them yourself, you will definitely observe a marked improvement in your skin's health and appearance. Depending on the current condition of your skin, the improvements may appear in the first week or after the first month. I have been using this skin regime for the last several years and now when I tell people how old I am, I am always giddy to see their jaw drop. They can't believe it. Comparing pictures taken of myself now with those of 20 years ago, my skin has fewer wrinkles now and the overall tone on my face and body has markedly improved. 

Try this healthy skin method for yourself. What have you got to lose but a few dollars? 

-Shane Eric Mathias

Author of "The Happiness Tree", due out soon, published by Balboa Press

Feel free to leave comments below or send an email with any questions:

Shane Mathias   

 

 

Seeking Purpose and Fulfillment? See These Movies!

What should we call them? Movies that inform, entertain and enlighten us, all without being pretentious or condescending.

While I am still working on the one word or phrase that would encapsulate this medium that blends art with consciousness raising, let me cut to the chase so that you can check them out now, without further adieu, if you so desire.

They are titled "My Greatest Teacher" and "The Shift" currently available free on You Tube and produced by Reid Tracy with Hay House Films. They revolve around the teachings of Wayne Dyer, who sadly died of leukemia on August 30, 2015.

But these films are not documentaries, lectures, or biographies, rather, they combine beautifully acted drama, with a kind of subtle lesson, a counterpoint that would seem awkward on paper, but that is accomplished with such finesse, that I found myself completely engrossed in the flow, willing to fully surrender to where ever the momentum of the story carried me. 

For those of you who have not read my writings or are not aware of my intellectual constitution, I do not subscribe to far out theories or the presence of mystical entities controlling events in our lives, according to some grand, inconceivable scheme. I am a pragmatist and my life philosophy revolves around the concepts of self awareness, self discipline, curiosity, truth seeking and flexibility. Therefore, one would think that such a movie would offend my sensibilities, yet, I found them to not only be perfectly plausible, but eye opening and inspiring. 

In My Greatest Teacher, we are not sure if the main character is actually reenacting Dr Dyers early life, as Wayne makes vignette appearances throughout the film, at times interacting with the protagonist. But rather than being confusing, this lends a certain complexity to the film, deepening our desire to unravel the mystery. It helps to know a little about Dr Dyers struggles as a young man, having been abandoned by his father in childhood. His character is superbly acted by Patrick Fabian, as he draws us into his emotionally charged world of impatience, disappointments, frustration and failure.

Finally, overcome by a need for closure, we accompany him to several small towns in Sonoma County, as he tries desperately to find and follow clues to his fathers whereabouts in order to understand the source of his growing anger and emptiness. Meanwhile, Dr Dyers teachings are interspersed throughout, artfully linked to the evolving events and thereby serving as a subtle deconstruction and interpretation of the story. 

To a great degree, my writing explores the inner workings of the brain and mind and the myriad ways they influence and are influenced by our emotions, beliefs and experiences.

Our so called Peak Experiences as conceptualized by Abraham Maslow and often referred to by Dr Dyer, are those that stimulate many areas of the brain simultaneously. I would say that watching this film initiated a Peak Experience for me, such that I was inspired to share my reaction. 

        ___________________________________________

     <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
       ____________________________________________
     

My curiosity motivated me to investigate another film centered around Dr Dyers teachings The Shift. While My Greatest Teacher provides an introduction to this unique type of film (for which I am still seeking a suitable name), The Shift takes us deeper, following the lives of two individuals on the precipice of change as well as a film maker struggling to promote his career, even as he attempts to finish a video about Wayne Dyer. All the while, we are treated to an interview style dialog from Dr. Dyer, which again is artfully woven into the fabric of these dramas, as his words provide a sort of spiritual narration from on high. 

Unlike My Greatest Teacher this is a full-length movie: almost 2 hours, but the time flies by as we discover entertainment and inspiration in equal measure. I recommend watching both, while they remain available on You Tube for free. But which ever you choose, I trust youll agree, these films represent a genre that deserves its own unique designation.. if I could only think of what it should be called. 

Again, the links appear below. I recommend watching them soon and sharing these links with friends and family. It is a rare opportunity to enjoy this wonderful medium for free.

"My Greatest Teacher"

"The Shift"

As always feel free to send questions or comments to:

Shane Mathias - The Happiness Tree