I have decided to share some of the process of the Keys to the Kingdom class I am currently experiencing.

My assignment for this week was to construct a vision for myself in five key areas: Health, Finances, Relationships, Career and Creative Self-Expression, and Spiritual and Personal Growth. This vision is a picture of the person I wish to be and the life I wish to live. Like all visions, it is based upon where I am at the time, and it is always subject to change. I have decided to share this vision, and I reserve the right to revise it and repost it as I see necessary. Blessings to all of you.

My Vision For My Health

My health is a direct reflection of the value I place upon myself. My vision for perfect health is of a body that functions at peak efficiency at all times. My blood chemistry is well within the range of what is considered healthy. My body mass index is within the range of what is considered healthy. My musculature is toned and athletic. I support the health and right functioning with proper eating and proper exercise. I challenge my body to grow more healthy with frequent physical activity that pushes my limits in a healthy way. I support my body and mind's health by ensuring that I get adequate sleep. I support my body's continued health with regular visits to my health care providers and I follow their advice joyfully. My body is the finest example of a "temple for God" that it possibly can be.

In addition to a healthy body, I also recognize the value of a healthy mind. I am aware that health in my body is directly related to health in my mind. I support a healthy mind by being aware of the thoughts that I hold. If I find that my thoughts are not of the highest nature, I gently remind myself of thoughts that lift me higher and put me back on a healthy path. If I find that these thoughts are persistent and recurrent, I seek counseling to get a "reality check," and insight that supports the growth opportunity that is presenting itself. I am aware of the idea that "garbage in means garbage out," and I seek to put into my mind only the most healthy and clear of ideas and material. This does not mean living in a "bubble" or shutting myself off from the rest of the world. It simply means that I will be "in the world, but not of the world." I challenge myself to face the ideas, situations, and people I would judge to be most abhorrent and/or challenging, knowing that I do not have to adopt them as my own, and learn to find my own center in the middle of what appears to be a "storm." I face my fears and dislikes and through it all, I know that I will grow.

My Vision for My Finances

My finances are a direct reflection of the value I place upon myself. My vision for my finances is that I have enough money to meet all of my financial obligations, now and in the future. I am as debt-free as I dare to be. I use loans and credit wisely and only when absolutely necessary. I am a giver to life, and I give freely and often. I give, trusting that more will be made available to give. I trust enough to know that hoarding is holding back my good and attaching myself to things that may no longer serve me. I hold on to the things that truly hold value and for me, and I release the things that no longer hold meaning for me. I joyously support my spiritual communities with my tithes and I give with no expectation. In my finances, I am worthy of being in the flow and sharing that flow with others.

My Vision for My Relationships

My relationships are a reflection of the value I place upon myself. I am a valuable creation of God, and my relationships echo that value in my life. I treat every person I know as an equally valuable creation of God. Furthermore, I treat every person with whom I come into contact as an equally valuable creation of God, and in every interaction I honor the God within them. This is true not only for the interactions that I would call "good" and also for the interactions I would call "challenging." In truth, they are all good, because they exist for our mutual growth and evolution. In my relationship with my partner, I recognize him as a sacred part of my life. I honor our relationship as two individuals with our own wants and needs, and yet as one soul with a common life path. Every day I renew my commitment to being the kind of person with whom I would want to be in a relationship, and I know that my relationships with others will reflect that attitude.My Vision
My Career and Creative Self-Expression

My career is a reflection of the value I place upon myself. My career is a channel for the good that the Kingdom has in store for me. My career is more than just a paycheck; it is a direct expression of the value that I place upon myself. I renew my commitment to being the kind of employee who is the example of how good things can be. I give without reservation the services I have to offer to my place of employment and receive in kind the good that I dare to allow myself to receive. I challenge myself daily to be more and to do more to build up the place where I work. I build myself as a leader by building other leaders. I share responsibility with others and only take upon myself the duties and tasks that must not be delegated away. I challenge myself to seek new ways to grow and increase my skills so that I am more flexible and more open to opportunities that present themselves.

My creative self-expression is another avenue where I express the value I place upon myself. Whatever the medium I choose, I challenge myself to be open and authentic with the expression. If it is writing a blog entry, I let my written words match my innermost thoughts. If it is my podcast, I let my speech be open and authentic. If it is dance, I let my body move freely and gracefully to the music that I hear. If it is cooking, I prepare meals that are nutritious and flavorful. If I encounter a new way of expressing myself, I give myself freely and openly to that expression, knowing that Spirit knows no bounds and limitations. I give myself creatively to the world knowing that I will attract the audience that is mine to attract, and I release any attachment or perceived need for "applause." I see the value within critiques and seek to know what is mine to know and to know where I am being called to grow.

My Vision for My Spiritual and Personal Growth

My spiritual growth is a direct reflection of the value I place upon myself. I give myself time every day to go away from life's routine and be with myself. During this time, I may read something inspirational, like the Daily Word. I will also give myself time for prayer and meditation. In the silence, I seek to hear that "still, small voice" that I recognize as the voice of Spirit--my true nature. I seek new ways to connect with Spirit within. I may choose to do a walking meditation or yoga or something that I have never tried before. I realize that my relationship with Spirit is the most important relationship that I have, for it is truly THE relationship that I have with myself.

My personal growth is a direct reflection of the value I place upon myself. In all aspects of my life experience, I seek to be more than I was in the previous moment. I challenge myself to accept nothing less than the best that life has to offer. I realize that everything in my life is a result of a creative thought I had at some point. If I judge something in my life to be unattractive, I challenge myself to seek the thought that attracted that something to me and heal that thought with a higher thought. I bless and release the "unattractive" thing as a lesson learned and a step on my path to a greater expression of wholeness. I seek always to grow and to be more of the Divine potential I know I can be.

This is my vision for myself as of February 16, 2012. Like all visions, it is a destination toward which I journey. Like all visions, it is subject to change, and I welcome all opportunities to seek a higher vision for myself. I give myself permission to change my mind as life experience presents the opportunities to do so.

I give myself to Life.

David Edward Byrd, II

The Dizzy Feet Foundation has declared July 31, 2010, to be "National Dance Day," a day in which everybody in America is encouraged to get up and dance!

In support of this, choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha have put together a simple hip-hop routine that they challenge everybody to learn and do on National Dance Day.

I have taken up the challenge. Who will join me?

Watch the video below, be sure to practice, practice, practice, and be prepared to dance July 31, 2010!

 

I don't normally give any shoutouts to Kim Br-Br-Br-Br-Beaver's blog because she can't get over her obsession with Big Fatty long enough to give my show any attention. I am making an exception here, because she did post a bad audition from (she says) the Faroese Idol show, and I found it funny. Here's the link, which you'll have to cut and paste, because LibSyn's HTML editor is not working right... http://kimbeaver.blogspot.com/2010/03/welcome-to-faroese-idol.html We return you now to the regularly scheduled boycott of Kim Br-Br-Br-Br-Beaver's Lodge...

According to multiple sources, actor and 80's teen movie icon Corey Haim has died of an accidental overdose.

Haim was known mostly for movies such as The Lost Boys and License to Drive and for his early "bromance" with License co-star Corey Feldman ("The Coreys"). Unfortunately, like too many 80's child actors, his early success did not transfer well into adulthood. He did plenty of work, but most projects did not have the same impact as his earlier ones.

According to his IMDb profile, he had a series of projects either in production, completed, and had been rumored to have started a couple more. No doubt, these will get some attention as they are released.

Haim admitted to drug use for most of his professional life, and he never seemed to be able to overcome addiction for long. It's a sad commentary on Hollywood that too many people like him slip through the cracks and don't always get the help they need.

See you on the other side, Corey. Thank you for being who you were in the body. Your spirit is now free to go to its next adventure.

You got to hand it to this couple, who decided to do what is the most unique entrance to a wedding I've ever seen. Kudos to Jill, Kevin, their bridesmaids and groomsmen, and an obviously very open-minded church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

This is the recording of the live show I did as a participant in the first-ever "Pride 48" celebration.

I had a blast doing my first live show, and I hope to do more in the future.

Thanks again to Adam and Matty of "The Adam and Matty Show" and Daniel Brewer of "Dubious Intent" for coming up with the concept and seeing it through to completion.

Music Today:



"Dream" by Music Alley artist Mike Andrews



"When There's Love at Home" by Music Alley artist Danny Fong

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Music Alley artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Music Alley and PodsafeAudio.com group The MSU Orchestra (formerly known as EL84)

Thanks for listening,and Stay Powerful!

Here is the video project I referred to on the Archer Radio group show. Unfortunately, the site had a DDoS attack done to it, so it's currently down. Still, enjoy the video until the site is back up:

The only editorializing I am going to do here is to say that I am feeling better about wearing jeans to church:

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Some people thought it might be Ruth Bader Ginsburg, but it turns out that it will be Souter as the first justice to leave the court since Obama's inauguration.

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Souter Plans to Leave Supreme Court

By PETER BAKER and JEFF ZELENY

WASHINGTON — Justice David H. Souter has indicated that he plans to retire at the end of the term in June, giving President Obama his first appointment to the Supreme Court, three people informed about the decision said Thursday night.

Justice Souter, who was appointed by a Republican president, George H. W. Bush, but became one of the most reliable members of the court's liberal wing, has grown increasingly sour on Washington and intends to return to his home state, New Hampshire, according to the people briefed on his plans. His decision was first reported by National Public Radio.

The decision opens the first seat for a Democratic president to fill in 15 years and could prove a test of Mr. Obama's plans for reshaping the nation's judiciary. Confirmation battles for the Supreme Court in recent years have proved to be intensely partisan and divisive moments in Washington, but Mr. Obama has more leeway than his predecessors because his party holds such a strong majority in the Senate.

Two friends of Justice Souter, 69, said Thursday night that he had often spoken privately of his intentions to be the court's first retirement if Mr. Obama won the election last fall. He has told friends that he looked forward to returning to his native New Hampshire while he was still able to enjoy climbing mountains and other outdoor activities.

Replacing Justice Souter with a liberal would not change the basic breakdown on the court, where he and three other justices hold down the left wing against a conservative caucus of four justices. Justice Anthony Kennedy, a moderate Republican appointee, often provides the swing vote that controls important decisions.

White House officials contacted Thursday night declined to comment. But Democratic strategists have been thinking for a long time about who Mr. Obama might put on the court. Among the names that have been floated in recent months are Elena Kagan, whom Mr. Obama named as his solicitor general.

A spokeswoman for the court said Thursday night that Justice Souter, 69, "has no comment on these reports that he is planning to resign."

Justice Souter was nominated to the court by the first President George Bush and confirmed as the 105th justice on Oct. 2, 1990. He replaced Justice William J. Brennan Jr., the court's liberal leader, who abruptly retired on July 20, 1990, at age 84 after suffering a stroke.

The nominee was little known even in Washington legal circles when the president introduced him to the country. He was a 50-year-old Harvard Law School graduate and former Rhodes scholar who had been confirmed to a federal judgeship only two months earlier and had barely moved into his chambers at the federal appeals court in Boston. For 12 years before that, he had been a state judge in New Hampshire.

As the Supreme Court became more conservative and polarized in the 1990's, Justice Souter provided an important vote that helped liberals eke out some important victories, most in 5-to-4 decisions that would not have been possible had he turned out to be the justice many conservatives assumed he would at the time of his nomination.

During his confirmation hearing, Judge Souter said he had no agenda on abortion and had not made a decision on how he would vote if the issue of Roe v. Wade was put before him. A major abortion case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, arrived at the court in his second term and was argued on April 22, 1992. It was widely expected that Roe v. Wade would be formally or functionally overturned because by then another abortion rights supporter, Justice Thurgood Marshall, had retired, and he was replaced by Justice Clarence Thomas.

But the result was just the opposite. Justice Souter, joined by two other Republican-appointed justices, Sandra Day O'Connor and Anthony M. Kennedy, who had earlier both expressed strong doubts about Roe v. Wade, collaborated to produce a highly unusual joint opinion that reaffirmed the constitutional right to abortion. With Justices Harry A. Blackmun and John Paul Stevens joining the central parts of the joint opinion, the vote was 5 to 4.

Justice Souter was in the minority, and a bitter dissenter, in the case of Bush v. Gore, the 5-to-4 decision that ended the disputed Florida recount in the 2000 presidential election and effectively declared George W. Bush the winner.

Jim Rutenberg and Adam Nagourney contributed reporting.

Ryan opened the show by announcing that 47 million votes had been called and texted in last night.

Ryan asked Simon if he had anything to say about the performances last night, and Simon said after watching the show back he realized everybody was good.

The Ford Commercial was one of the better ones this season.

The Top 5 performed a medley of "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "I Got Rhythm." Excellent performances by everybody, and it's further reinforcement of my opinion that this Top 5 has the potential to go far.

Ryan reminds everybody about the Idol Tour.

Danny (Friday) and Allison (Monday) had birthdays since the last results show. Ryan introduces a tape of the contestants making birthday cakes that descends into a free-for-all food fight. Hilarious, and they completely trashed the kitchen and part of the rest of the Idol Mansion.

On the other side of the tape, Ryan asks Allison who started it, and she ratted out Danny. Ryan presented Danny with a $6,000 cleaning bill for the cleanup job in the Idol Mansion. Danny asked if he was supposed to pay it, and Ryan joked that if he won, they might forgive it.

Ryan then began to do the rundown of the performances.

Matt is asked to move to stage right (audience left).

Danny is asked to move to stage left (audience right).

Allison joins Danny at stage left.

Kris is asked to join Matt at stage right.

Adam is moved to the center of the stage and asked which group he believes he should be standing with. He was uncomfortable with the question, but eventually joins Allison and Danny.

Ryan then reveals that the Bottom Three is not Adam, Danny, and Allison, and moves Adam to stage right, revealing that this week's Bottom Three are:


Matt Giraud


Kris Allen


and


Adam Lambert

The predictable shocked reactions ripple through the audience, and the judges are just as stunned. Simon reminds everybody that this is what happens when the contest is opened to America's vote, and insists that nothing should be taken away from Danny and Allison's safe status.

Ryan calls a commercial break.

After the break, Natalie Cole performs "Something's Got To Give," from her classic album Unforgettable. She looks great after all these years--but maybe a bit too skinny to me. She is going out on tour, including her first date ever in Korea.

Ryan calls a commercial break.

After the break, Season Five winner Taylor Hicks performs a song from his new album (missed the title). He's going more in a bluesy rock direction, which seems to fit his voice. And (thankfully), his goofy dancing is gone.

After Taylor's performance, Ryan asks if he has any advice for the Top 5, and he says it's all about song choice and having the right moves, and he felt all of them could do well after the competition.

Ryan calls Matt, Kris, and Adam back on to the stage.

Kris is sent back to the couches, he hugs both Matt and Adam, and he looks slightly sick as he goes across the stage. It's obvious that this group has been very cohesive this season.

Ryan calls a commercial break.

After the break, Jamie Foxx sings his new single "Blame It." Personally, there was too much of the "vocal tuning" effect in the song. Simon seems to agree, because he is the one person not "grooving" to the music, and in fact seems quite perturbed.

Ryan asks Jamie about his experience with the contestants, and pulls Matt and Adam over so Jamie can talk to them. Jamie said the Top 5 were the most talented people he had met in the past ten years (that should be just beyond his In Living Color years). He said that regardless of the outcome, all of them should be able to do well, because they are talented.

Ryan calls the commercial break.

After the break, the show is running a bit short, so Ryan teases Simon about the fact that Randy and Kara came closer to calling the results this week.

Ryan then announces the final result. Adam is safe, so Matt's journey ends tonight.

Matt's ending package rolls.

Still needing to fill some time, Ryan asks for final advice from Randy, Paula, and Kara. He asks Simon for advice for the Top 4, since it will be Rock Week next week. Simon says "don't listen to me!"

Next week's mentor will be Slash.