World Wide Awakening Creates a Universal World

Image via WikipediaBy Barbara Colby

We are in an evolutionary period, much like the Renaissance of old. Like the Renaissance, in fifteenth century Europe, we're seeing a humanistic revival. It is distinguished by vigorous activity of action that supports a transitional movement. The Millennium, or "New Age," speaks to individuality in thought, action and behavior. Events in the Middle Ages set in motion a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations, and were the driver behind the Renaissance.

Then, as now, there is creative action taking place. You don't have to be a forecaster to know this is true. Your eyes and ears tell you it's true. Just listen to the TV or read a daily newspaper that reports on Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Pakistan and China.

Even in our own country, in the state of Wisconsin, public voices want to be heard on their individualistic ideals. Systems of yesterday no longer work; therefore, people are beginning to seek out better value systems and new truths to make their new value systems work. These new truths are creating an epoch of inner values, which in turn brings about an inward journey for an individual. Because of the risk and stress, this type of struggle is bound to set in motion the wheels that create a health breakdown.

It's a complex time of involution (a shift). Those things that will be affected in our society today are the natural environment, ideas, social movement, ethics, education, and healthcare. The root of these changes will come from a higher consciousness, and a desire to create a new and better type of reality. Our civilization stands on the brink of making some of its most important changes. We need to feel better, look better, live longer, and heal our body through more natural methods. We're a part of a worldwide awakening.

It is a delicious thing to watch history in the making and the reshaping of ideas, ideals, ethics, and values. In the future, our changing attitude toward good health and the feeling of well being will be the impetus that creates a new path away from conventional medicine. The future is no accident; it comes from condensing what you see, hear, and read. Trends come from the foundation of changing attitudes, needs, demands, the economy, global barriers being lowered, influences of cultural offerings in the marketplace, and lifestyle changes.

This is the dawn of the Aquarian Age. It represents an oneness, an equality, and humanity to mankind. New Age simply means the beginning of a meaningful cycle. The Age of Aquarius is represented with originality, independence and universalism. It will herald new philosophies that will save the world from destruction. The world will become one universal world.

Barbara Diane Colby is author of the new book, Journey of Hope: Gateway to Light and Holistic Wellness. It documents her research over 10 years to heal herself of chronic pain through the therapeutic power of light. Barbara has led successful careers in design, sales and as an educator, color consultant and futurist forecasting design trends. She lives in Indio, Calif., near Palm Springs where she creates award-winning glass art sculpture and gemstone jewelry and advocates bridging alternative and traditional healthcare. Learn more by visiting http://www.BarbaraColby.com. Contact Barbara at bcolby@dc.rr.com.

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Five Essential Paul McCartney Albums You Should Have

Cover of Band on the RunBy Harry Trowels

As an integral part of The Beatles, it is widely acknowledged that Paul McCartney is one of the most talented, versatile and hard-working pop composers that has ever lived. Since their break-up in 1970, ratified by a court ruling some 12 months later which dissolved The Beatles as a business partnership, McCartney has continued to produce music on a regular basis of a consistently high standard, although perhaps not scaling the heights he achieved with the Fab Four.

He has released something in the region of 40 solo albums to date, some of them one could argue with content comparable to his work in The Beatles. I would like to put forward a selection of albums that epitomise the man's breath-taking abilities as a musician, producer, bandleader and all-round good egg!

• Band On The Run - released 7 December 1973; Q Magazine in the UK later placed this at number 75 of the top 100 greatest British albums of all time. It reached no 1 in the album charts and was the top-selling UK album of 1974. Stand out cuts include the title track, Let Me Roll It and the Dustin Hoffman inspired Picasso's Last Words (Hoffmann had told McCartney what they were and asked him if he could write something about it, only to be astonished as McCartney began to create the chorus right in front of him)
• McCartney II - released 16 May 1980; reaching number 1 in the UK and number 3 in the US, it divided critics at the time but is now seen as McCartney at his multi-faceted best, from the bluesy guitar breaks of On The Way, the electronica of Check My Machine and the euphoria of Coming Up
• Chaos And Creation In The Backyard - released 12 September 2005; produced by Radiohead collaborator Nigel Godrich, it showed a more reflective approach than of late and spawned hit singles Fine Line and Jenny Wren
• Venus and Mars - released 27 May 1975; a worthy follow-up to Band On The Run, it harboured the singles Listen To What The Man Said, Letting Go and a barnstorming Jimmy McCulloch song Medicine Jar
• McCartney - released 17 April 1970; amidst the aggrieved collapse of The Beatles, McCartney put out a collection of recordings he'd been working on alone during the previous six months, ignoring pleas from the other Beatles to delay release against Let It Be. The overall low-key production was punctuated by an absolute jewel, Maybe I'm Amazed.

A new, UK artist with many similarities in his music to that heard on many Paul McCartney albums is James Henry. He has a new single out soon, entitled Don't Let It Happen, but you can download his previous single, The Sun Is Cracking The Flags, for nothing, by clicking the link below.
http://jameshenry.net/landing/tsictf-with-clip/

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The 5 Finest Song Lyrics Of The Kinks - And Why

Image via WikipediaBy Stanley Urbane

Ray Davies, of The Kinks, is widely accepted to be one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He has a unique, observational style, using the everyday lives of ordinary people as subject matter. Davies is famous for his wonderful vignettes and pieces of social commentary. He is a master of evoking powerful imagery in the mind of the listener.

Pete Townshend, of The Who, has called Ray Davies the finest songwriter of the 60's. So what are the best examples of his work? Here's my take on the 5 finest song lyrics of The Kinks.

This was no easy task with so many great songs to choose from, but for me there are 3 key elements that drew me to my picks: Firstly, the telling of a story; secondly, the painting of a vivid scene; and thirdly, clever wordplay. Here are my selections: -

1. Waterloo Sunset (1967)
A classic lyrical masterpiece, setting a beautiful scene strongly in the mind. You can imagine yourself stood there on the bridge, seeing the whole scene around you. My favourite line: "As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset I am in paradise".

2. The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)
Full of nostalgia and "Englishness", this song uses some unexpected but wonderful words. My favourite line: "We are the skyscraper condemnation affiliate, God save Tudor houses, antique tables and billiards".

3. Come Dancing (1982)
Recollections from Ray's childhood, described so powerfully that they could be your own memories. The song laments the demolition of the local dance hall and the memories associated with it. My favourite line: "The day they knocked down the Palais part of my childhood died".

4. Two Sisters (1967)
An allegory of the lives of Ray and Dave Davies at the time - Ray married and a father, and under pressure to write songs, and Dave free and single and living the rock 'n' roll lifestyle to the full. My favourite line: "No longer jealous of her sister, so she ran round the house with her curlers on"

5. Only A Dream (1993)
An elevator is used as a metaphor for life's emotions in this tale of a simple greeting from a pretty girl making the singer's day. My favourite line: "I didn't think she'd even look at me or bother to glance my way, but she actually smiled at me and said Hiya handsome, have a good day".

You'll probably have your own favourite lyrics by The Kinks and there's really no disputing that Ray Davies is one of the greatest lyricists of all time.

If you like The Kinks, then you'll love Paul Curtis. He's a songwriter that is clearly strongly influenced by Ray Davies. I found this link to a FREE download of his latest single.

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