Surprise Item For Sale; Price $0.00

Over my 50 years, more so with the advent of the Internet and the opening up of social media portals, apps or whatever the correct name, I have seen lots of creative things.

Most of the latest "big thing" are done largely and for maximum attention. The spotlight is on the developers, wanting to have their minute of glory.

This morning as I woke up and prepared myself for the day with a repetition of a morning mantra: "This IS a good day," I thought about the topic of today's Breaking Loose Challenge.

Three things would happen soon after the still small voice of inspiration gave me "Unconditional Love," as today's topic. Doubting the veracity of what I had heard and thinking "but we've done that several times on the DOS page," I thought to go make coffee and the true message would come.

Coffee brewing, I returned to my "pinging" smartphone to see the less celestial messages. I wrote about what happened next in my introductory post on my coaching page:

"Then I noticed three things:
1. A message in my whatsapp messenger thingy from someone that I had a turbulent 'ride' with, responding to my apology and request that we try to fix things between us.
2. Tweets from a friend in Africa that I will meet one day, responding to one of my tweets declaring my love for my followers and tweeps
3. This post/picture about Mr. Brice Royer advertisement for the sale of unconditional love.

Truly there are no accidents or coincidences in The Universe. Truly, this is a Universe grounded in Love!"

Initially I did not make the connection between the first two messages and what I had heard as the topic for today's challenge. When I opened the link to Brice Royer's post - that is when it all came together!

Unconditional Love!

Brice Royer, a human well on his way to becoming one of the most beautifully evolved souls I have virtually come across, lives here in my second country - Canada.

Relatively unknown outside of his community and possibly Vancouver to now, Mr. Royer's seemingly funny, done on a whim but terribly profound advertisement, to now, has had over one million hits. It is one of the most creative way I have seen in a long while to spread a simple message!

This number will most certainly increase as more and more of us share, write about and spread his story and advertisement.

Mr. Royer is selling a "product" that we all need, want and desire. In fact, we all already have access or better yet are born to the manor where this previous item is produced.

The sad truth is - many of us do not know that it is ours, that we can give it freely and still have lots more! My two messages prior to seeing Mr. Royer's advertisement were reminders even to me, one who thought she was onto this product, that I am one of its owners!

So what was Brice selling and what does it have to do with Day #17 Challenge? Well here is a snippet from his ad:

"Hello, I am selling unconditional love for $0.

Infinite square feet lot. Includes refreshing air, sunshine, the Earth, beautiful mountains and the ocean. A stunning 'classic' heritage made 4.5 billion years ago.
Address: Earth, Solar System, Milky Way. 

Available now to serious buyers. Perfect for the first-time buyer and experienced investors feeling empty and trapped with stress and pressure to maximize Return on Investment because of family and stakeholders expectation. 

HISTORY:
I received it a long time ago when I was born. I received the gift of life from my parents, the sun, the water, the Earth, the air, a smile, a hug, a helping hand, without being asked anything in return. I didn't earn any of them. They belong to public domain, the commons, "Mother Earth" or God, if you're religious.

At some point, my ancestors were afraid and decided to own land that once belonged to everyone, sell services that were once freely given, and even own humans through debt. 

PAYMENT:I don't accept cheques or mortgage payments, only cash payments of $0. You are also welcome to re-sale it for $0. But I must warn you... it will multiply once you do. 

CONTACT ME:If you would like to join this incredible investing opportunity, you can email me by clicking on 'reply' to this post or visiting gifteconomy.ca

Thank you,The seller 

P.S: Yes, I am for real. If you'd like to learn more about me, the seller, you can read this article on the Vancouver Sun. I'm a cancer patient who believes that love can heal me."

Read the full advertisement here, then please share it today as it will come down in approximately 35 days according to Craig list rules. That is the first part of today's assignment.

Secondly, I invite you to think of one person who did you "wrong." Nothing major like robbing you or cheating on you if you are not ready for that. Maybe it was someone who you really care about and some sort of misunderstanding happened between you and you are both still smarting from it. Reach out to him/her/them and apologise, genuinely so, hoping for nothing more than forgiveness. The relationship of course might never be the same OR it could get better??? Willing to risk that?

Finally, do something special for you, the primary channel, the owner, the main recipient of unconditional love in your life.

I have done activities one and two; now I am heading to do the third. Share with me here or on my page how did your activities go.

Have an unconditionally loving day!

Photo source: pinterest.com

Day 10: Let The Chips Fall Where They May

This journey of 50 years has given me many gifts. The one that has caused confusion for some but calmness to me is the gift of goodbye.

In a recent conversation with a potential suitor, I told him that my ability to walk away from just about anything and anyone, for that matter, is very high. It is an art that came to me years after almost losing my life and most definitely my mind at the end of a long term relationship.

My comment was at first received as a cold one but after explaining my understanding of unconditional loving, he got it.

That too came in the contrasts of the breakup. Had it not happened, had I not "lost" the most precious intimate relationship to me, I would not have understood what I do now.

Since that time, in every relationship, in every situation and in every encounter I give my all, expecting nothing in return but very grateful when anything is given.

Then, I allow the chips to fall where they may.

Despite what we might think, the only thing or person we control is ourselves and the choices we make. Being in relationship with anyone, getting the promotion, owning a business is no guarantee of lifelong happiness, success or wealth. What is within our power in any of these examples is our attitude, appreciation level and fortitude.

Fortunes, circumstances, emotions will change as the business, job or relationship evolve. Even you will change - the way you think, your attitude and your performance - for the better or worse.

As you write your story, the key to being able to rest peacefully at night, go to work without knots in your stomach, enjoying your relationship is loving and releasing everything and everyone; and doing your best in every given situation.

Then, let the chips fall where they may.

My firm belief is that we find what we look for and so for years now, every day that I arise one of my silent prayers is: "May I see and greet in Love in every encounter today. Where something other than Love shows up, let me be grateful for the reminder to wash my glasses."

As you go about this the 10th day of this Breaking Loose Challenge, be you, the best you in every instance and then allow the chips to fall where they may. Here is a great article that might help you. It outlines 13 things that mentally strong people do not do and that is who you are - a free and strong person.

Namaste.

Read Day #9 Challenge: A.I.M.

Are You The Boss or A Servant Leader?

Claudette Esterine

My face was smooching the computer screen as I tried to get one more thing done.

Four hours had passed since my girlfriend and fellow author of this blog, Clara, had dropped me off at my client's house. This was to have been a two hour job but little of what I had asked to be pre-prepared was done.

The good thing is - I love being on electronic-communication devices, so the hours had melded into one without me realizing.

Even 'better', I really love helping and serving others, especially those who respect and honour me with their generous portion of unconditional love.

Image: smsuc.com

Servant leadership is a term that at first baffled me. I heard it for the first time as a member of a United Church of Canada congregation in Alberta. The minister is a lesbian, married to her partner of umpteen years and one of the best preachers I have listened to in my second country.

Her sexuality is important here only because of the understanding of "servant leadership." This was 13 years ago and Alberta's then Premier was dead set against passing the law permitting gay marriages. Imagine my confusion then, still bearing a rumbustious rebel inside of me, hearing this soft spoken woman talking about serving the community in love, peace and with a focus on unity. The same community that many would not support her undying love for her partner?!

Delving into "The Servant Leader" book by Ken Blanchard and attending a couple workshops, I soon got it. Since then, I have hardly looked back. Of course there are people and situations that neither servant or leader I have no desire to be. You might have misread if you thought I said I became Jesus.

Still striving towards a deeper "being" of a servant-leader, my operating understanding of the nomenclature is simply this:  "We have all been called to be foot-washers." R. Alan Woods

Image: silvesterthemessenger.blogspot.com

Jesus was the 'biggest' foot-washer in history. Mary of Bethany, according to the Gospel of John, also did a similar act when she anointed Jesus' feet and wiped it with her hair.

Claudette (moi) is more on the level of the "unknown woman, who was a sinner" and who in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, bathed Jesus' feet with her tears, anointed them and dried them with her hair.

Servant leadership, to me, embraces giving respect to others. How do I do that? Well Mollie Marti said it right: "The utmost form of respect is to give sincerely of your presence."

My client last night is not computer or Internet savvy. I could have gone in, done my two hours, collected my money and be out of there. Would I have served her? Would I have given her the "utmost form of respect?"

When you tell someone you will be there for them, that you are their friend, that you have their backs but you disappear when they need you; reappearing only when it is convenient for you - is that being "sincerely present?"

You know the answer. It is not.

Enter my home (heart) - whoever you are: stranger, lover, friend, Sistah or client and you really have "all of me."

It took me a few years to truly learn foot-washing and there is an art to it. You have to balance your service with a strong sense of knowing who you are. Without the latter, there is a high risk of being a footstool.

Image: lci.typepad.com

Today, Maundy Thursday, let us remember Jesus', Mary's and the "unknown woman's" act of servant-leadership. Get your wash bowl, your oil of Love and begin washing some feet - starting with your own.

Do have a peace-filled rest of the day. Please write to us here, or on our Facebook page. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Namaste

Claudette Esterine is the Founder of Daughters of Sheba Foundation and Editor of our blog. She is a Jamaican-Canadian and a Free Spirit.