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    UK Avalon Founder Bill Ryan's Avatar
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    Default An experience that changed my life

    --------

    Dear All:

    Richard has already shared a moving personal story about the Butterfly Lady. I do recommend that you read it.

    Charles has also shared a profound experience that changed him. Please also read this.

    I'd like to join Richard and Charles by telling a story of my own. It's a simple story which I've never shared except with my closest friends.

    In 1989 I was in Nairobi for a couple of weeks. I was staying in a small guest house a couple of miles from the city center.

    Every day I walked down the long road to the post office and market, and walked back. And every day I passed a beggar who was sitting on a dirty blanket at a street corner.

    This man's arms and legs were shriveled. He could not walk. He wore a loincloth. He sat on the ground, and crawled around on his blanket. He had nothing at all.

    But each time I passed by - twice a day for 14 days - he was surrounded by people. They were laughing, joking, having fun. The little beggar-man was always happy. His face was permanently wreathed in smiles. This was where the party was at, all the time, every day.

    He was the man. I never once saw him other than enjoying life to the full. His friends - many of them - clearly loved him dearly.

    This experience changed me profoundly. Every day I wondered at this man and his friends. One of my greatest regrets is that I never approached him to say hello.

    Ten years later, I returned to Nairobi. I tried hard to find him. I wanted to give him something to thank him for his great contribution to my life. I could not. I assume he had died.

    I can never tell this story on stage or in an interview: I would not be able to keep it together. That little man, bless his eternal soul, taught me that one does not have not have things to be happy: one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves. In the context of this, little else matters.
    Last edited by Bill Ryan; 14th February 2011 at 13:04.

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  3. Link to Post #2
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    --------

    Dear All:

    Richard has already shared a moving personal story about the Butterfly Lady. I do recommend that you read it.

    Charles has also shared a profound experience that changed him. Please also read this.

    I'd like to join Richard and Charles by sharing a story of my own. It's a simple story which I've never shared except with my closest friends.

    In 1989 I was in Nairobi for a couple of weeks. I was staying in a small guest house a couple of miles from the city center.

    Every day I walked down the long road to the post office and market, and walked back. And every day I passed a beggar who was sitting on a dirty blanket at a street corner.

    This man's arms and legs were shriveled. He could not walk. He wore a loincloth. He sat on the ground, and crawled around on his blanket. He had nothing at all.

    But each time I passed by - twice a day for 14 days - he was surrounded by people. They were laughing, joking, having fun. The little beggar-man was always happy. His face was permanently wreathed in smiles. This was where the party was at, all the time, every day.

    He was the man. I never once saw him other than enjoying life to the full. His friends - many of them - clearly loved him dearly.

    This experience changed me profoundly. Every day I wondered at this man and his friends. One of my greatest regrets is that I never approached him to say hello.

    Ten years later, I returned to Nairobi. I tried hard to find him. I could not. I assume he had died.

    I can never tell this story on stage or in an interview: I would not be able to keep it together. That little man, bless his eternal soul, taught me that one does not have not have things to be happy: one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves. In the context of this, little else matters.
    Thank you Bill for sharing that, it means a lot to me.

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  5. Link to Post #3
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    --------

    Dear All:

    Richard has already shared a moving personal story about the Butterfly Lady. I do recommend that you read it.

    Charles has also shared a profound experience that changed him. Please also read this.

    I'd like to join Richard and Charles by sharing a story of my own. It's a simple story which I've never shared except with my closest friends.

    In 1989 I was in Nairobi for a couple of weeks. I was staying in a small guest house a couple of miles from the city center.

    Every day I walked down the long road to the post office and market, and walked back. And every day I passed a beggar who was sitting on a dirty blanket at a street corner.

    This man's arms and legs were shriveled. He could not walk. He wore a loincloth. He sat on the ground, and crawled around on his blanket. He had nothing at all.

    But each time I passed by - twice a day for 14 days - he was surrounded by people. They were laughing, joking, having fun. The little beggar-man was always happy. His face was permanently wreathed in smiles. This was where the party was at, all the time, every day.

    He was the man. I never once saw him other than enjoying life to the full. His friends - many of them - clearly loved him dearly.

    This experience changed me profoundly. Every day I wondered at this man and his friends. One of my greatest regrets is that I never approached him to say hello.

    Ten years later, I returned to Nairobi. I tried hard to find him. I wanted to give him something to thank him for his great contribution to my life. I could not. I assume he had died.

    I can never tell this story on stage or in an interview: I would not be able to keep it together. That little man, bless his eternal soul, taught me that one does not have not have things to be happy: one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves. In the context of this, little else matters.

    A beautiful story Bill. Really hit you hard and reverberates to this day. A powerful message which means a lot to me also. Tears in my eyes typing this !

    Love to you.

  6. Link to Post #4
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    I haven't read Richard or Charle's stories yet but there on my list. Bill's life changing story is in my book a 'diamond' as we scurry through life using most of our energies on things that are irrelevant and often related to human's weakness as opposed to what makes us unique. I hope we all have the patience and insight to recognise those life changing moments and act on them accordingly

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thanks for sharing Bill,
    It really shows whats important.
    I wonder if you would be doing what your doing now if you were to never have had that experience?

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Be careful Bill Ryan, your caring heart is showing. Your story is perfect for today, Valentine's Day.
    We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
    Plato

    Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
    Martin Luther King, Jr.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    It's the journey and not some distant goal, what is important. Maybe a lot of us can recall some similar story where your heart starts to beat the other way, when you realise that everything that metters is being human, loving everything around you and trying to see tha glass half full all the time.
    Thank you Bill, I think the spirit of this tory is what we seek to be the future of humanity.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    In 1989 I was in Nairobi for a couple of weeks. I was staying in a small guest house a couple of miles from the city center.

    Every day I walked down the long road to the post office and market, and walked back. And every day I passed a beggar who was sitting on a dirty blanket at a street corner.

    This man's arms and legs were shriveled. He could not walk. He wore a loincloth. He sat on the ground, and crawled around on his blanket. He had nothing at all.

    But each time I passed by - twice a day for 14 days - he was surrounded by people. They were laughing, joking, having fun. The little beggar-man was always happy. His face was permanently wreathed in smiles. This was where the party was at, all the time, every day.

    He was the man. I never once saw him other than enjoying life to the full. His friends - many of them - clearly loved him dearly.

    This experience changed me profoundly. Every day I wondered at this man and his friends. One of my greatest regrets is that I never approached him to say hello.

    Ten years later, I returned to Nairobi. I tried hard to find him. I wanted to give him something to thank him for his great contribution to my life. I could not. I assume he had died.

    I can never tell this story on stage or in an interview: I would not be able to keep it together. That little man, bless his eternal soul, taught me that one does not have not have things to be happy: one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves. In the context of this, little else matters.
    It is these subtle things experienced in life that plant the deep seed of awakening and growth. For it is these things that 'others' do not and cannot understand.

    From birth to death, conditioning has been imposed by 'others', using grandeur or the appearance of it. Yet 'others' fail when one experiences these subtle things.

    Thank you for sharing.
    Last edited by king anthony; 14th February 2011 at 15:14.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    I saw an old mafioso spoon feed an armless black man. He voluntarily did this each meal and would feed the armless man before eating his own food. Like a father to a young son, he would use the spoon to wipe the corner of the man's mouth and speak kindly to him while feeding him. I learned compassion from it.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thank you Bill. Love is in our Hearts at Avalon. Your message is the key.
    With Peace and Love, Mandala
    "Be the change you wish to see." Mahatma Gandhi




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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thank you Bill, that was a beautiful story.

    It does go to prove that life IS what we make it EVERY DAY.

    This man had nothing to give others except his heart - and they came each day - for that is what they needed!

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thank you so much for sharing. Touched me deeply.

    Reminds one to always wear a smile.... we never know in what form our next teacher will appear!!!!


    .... be gentle with your anger. Sixto Rodriguez, Cape Town 20.02.2013

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    Mexico Avalon Member seko's Avatar
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    I guess almost all of us have a similar story and if we don't remember it is because we weren't paying enough attention to it. Thanks a lot for sharing that great story Bill.
    Have a good week avalonians.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thanks, Bill.

    Similar effect on me had watching this astonishing, full man, Nick Vujicic:

    With love to all of you on this Lovely Day

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    A really great story for a day designed to remember love. No regrets --- because the power of not touching in the moment is why it touches you every day which you in turn touch others in an ever expanding ripple.

    I also read and appreciate both Richard and Atticus stories. I have paused here to think why so few love stories that squeeze my heart are written by women. In many ways, my understanding and opening to the Divine Feminine has come thru the eyes of a man. Perhaps, that is the bending of the yin and the yang.
    Beware the axis of sanctimony.

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    Canada Avalon Member Yoda's Avatar
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Quote Posted by Bill Ryan (here)
    --------

    Dear All:

    Richard has already shared a moving personal story about the Butterfly Lady. I do recommend that you read it.

    Charles has also shared a profound experience that changed him. Please also read this.

    I can never tell this story on stage or in an interview: I would not be able to keep it together. That little man, bless his eternal soul, taught me that one does not have not have things to be happy: one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves. In the context of this, little else matters.
    Bill, it is because of who you are, that Avalon lives. Your integrity and love always comes across in your interviews. No wonder you caught the attention of "the powers that were"
    Pierre

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Hi folks and thanks Bill and Richard & Céline

    This is a great and important thread - this sort of sharing, and that displayed by Charlie Pecos in the POLL Dance thread, will help us all make great progress on the spiritual plane - our most urgent need, as I've said many times. Opening our hearts, telling the simple truth about our inner experiences - positive or negative - will demonstrate that we are never alone, and that all experience can be the opportunity for evolution of the soul. As humans, our capacity for love is infinitely greater than we have been led to believe, and therein lies our power for changing not only ourselves, but the whole of existence.

    I have many stories I could share, but I feel like sharing this for now. About fifteen years ago, I was a young father with the responsibility for five children - I had no stable employment, many pressing debts, numerous personal hassles at the job I was doing, and my wife and I were going through a really difficult phase in our relationship. I was on my way home from a physically tiring job, and struggling with deep depression, from which I used to suffer frequently. I had gotten off the Metro a few stops before home, intending to walk for a while, to try to relax. But it was pouring with cold rain, which didn't help my mood. I was walking over a muddy patch of earth under a couple of scrubby trees, and suddenly heard a bird singing in the tree above me. I think it was a blackbird. That bird's song transfixed me - I stood in the rain under the tree for several minutes, completely entranced by the song I was hearing. Everything I was worried about evaporated, my depression disappeared, and for the first time in months, I felt the movement of joy within me. And I also felt that the bird knew what it was doing, why it was singing for me. It was a gift from Life, just like any of the gifts from angels that many of us receive. I have absolutely no doubt about that. There have been so many of these moments in my life, but that was one that really stays with me - I'm a musician, and I'd like my music to have something like that effect on others.

    Thanks for accepting this.

    Love to you all, and as I've said before - CONFIDENCE.

    Best wishes

    Fructedor
    Last edited by Fructedor; 14th February 2011 at 15:50.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Thank you for that Bill... it was the first thing I read this morning and puts a focus on my scattered mind: "one only has to create one's own joy with the people one loves"
    ~a pebble in the water makes a ripple effect,
    every action in this world will bear a consequence...
    if you wade around forever you will surely drown.... ~ RJA

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    Great Britain Avalon Member bilko's Avatar
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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    Wonderful story Bill, thank you for sharing it with us.
    Some of the happiest people i have seen are those that have relinquished the clutter and fear in their life in order to live at the behest of the universe.

    It is the same for all of us, the only bridge that needs crossing is one of acceptance.

    I pray for grace and good favor for all of us this day.

    We are all blessed with good providence, all we have to do is accept it.

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    Default Re: An experience that changed my life

    What a story Bill! and what an insight.thank you so much for sharing this!

    could it be that this no arms,no legs,no possessions man chose himself such a difficult life maybe to really be able to experience the soul at its final lesson.
    it seems that he found it.(and made a remarkable influence on all those around him)

    very moving.thank you!
    Last edited by Limor Wolf; 14th February 2011 at 19:01.

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