Excerpted from Earth Magic

by Dr. Steven Farmer

The Importance of Community

            I'm not reclusive, but I do enjoy solitude from time to time, although I've also realized the tremendous importance and value of community. Not just Internet communication, but real live people-family and friends, and those whom I've met along the road while teaching-come to mind when I think of deep communal connections. It starts with my kids, their children, parents, nephews, nieces, cousins, and others in my extended family. Then there's my family of friends, some of whom I've known for many years. Among them are elders, peers, children, and teenagers. I feel truly blessed and privileged to know those I love and to also know that they love me.

            At one point when I was writing this book, deadline looming, my adult niece Debbie called to see if I wanted to go to the beach with her and her daughters. At the time, I was completely focused on writing and had been glued to my computer for much of the past few days. When the call came, I had some initial reluctance, thinking that I should be working on the book. However, I'd developed an even stronger bond with each of Debbie's girls-Jordan, 12; Sydney, 8; and Paris, 6-since their mother and father had split up several months prior.

            I said yes, and we spent a couple of hours together at the beach and then went to dinner afterward. Needless to say, I didn't get much writing done, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time I had with them. Later that evening the thought occurred to me that on my deathbed, it's very unlikely that I'd be saying, "Gee, I wish I'd spent that day writing rather than hanging out with Debbie and her girls!" I knew I'd made the right choice and also felt a pleasant sense that by being an uncle to them, particularly the children, I supplied something they needed.

            In another instance several years ago, when I was emotionally and spiritually in one of those valleys of grief and mild depression, I got this image in my head of being in a pit about 12 feet deep. It was a great metaphor for how I was feeling at the time-isolated, victimized, and with no way out! About a month later I was lying in bed on a Saturday morning, thinking about life, my situation, and just kind of ruminating about this and that. I closed my eyes and called up that image and held it for a while. To my astonishment, I looked closely at the walls of the pit, and there were a number of ropes all around it. I looked up and at the other end of each rope was someone I loved and who loved me! I broke into tears at that recognition-tears of joy and appreciation for my community of friends and family.

            There have been many studies that conclude that recovery from emotional stress and physical illness is much more rapid and lasting with the support of others. We're not meant to live alone and in isolation.

"We were born to unite with our fellow men, and to join in community with the human race." - Cicero

"Hear me, four quarters of the world - a relative I am! Give me the strength to walk the soft earth, a relative to all that is! Give me the eyes to see and the strength to understand, that I may be like you. With your power only can I face the winds." -Black Elk (1863-1950) Oglala Sioux holy man

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 1-2PM

BOOK SIGNING- Earth Magic

Ascendant Books

10310-124 Street

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5N 1R2

(780) 452-5372

www.ascendantbooks.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 7-9PM

WORKSHOP:  MESSAGES FROM YOUR ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES

BOOK SIGNING:  EARTH MAGIC

Fantasyland Hotel, in the Chianti Room

17700-87 Avenue,Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5T 4V4

Buy Tickets contact AndNow:

http://www.andnow.ca/steven-farmer or call 1 866 501 0516

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 7-9PM

WORKSHOP:  HEALING YOUR FRAGMENTED SOUL

BOOK SIGNING:  EARTH MAGIC

Fantasyland Hotel, in the Chianti Room

Buy Tickets contact AndNow:

http://www.andnow.ca/steven-farmer or call 1 866 501 0516

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 - Sunday, SEPTEMBER 13

Healing Retreat with Steven Farmer

EARTH MAGIC: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others, and the Planet

Retreat is being held close to Pigeon Lake, Alberta, Canada.  (1.5 hrs from Calgary and 1 hr from Edmonton).

To Register Contact AndNow:

http://www.andnow.ca/steven-farmer or call 1 866 501 0516

SEPTEMBER 7-9 and 15-16

Private Sessions with Dr. Steven Farmer

AndNow Center

10650 113 Street, Middle Flr

Edmonton, AB, T5H 3H5

780 701 1928

1 866 501 0516

http://www.andnow.ca/steven-farmer

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 7:30-8:30PM

PASSION, PURPOSE, AND MISSION: Discovering Your Soul's Destiny and Living Your Life While Doing So

Body Soul & Spirit Expo '09

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

1-877-560-6830 

www.bodysoulspiritexpo.com

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 10:30-12:30PM

MESSAGES FROM YOUR ANIMAL SPIRIT GUIDES

Body Soul & Spirit Expo '09

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

1-877-560-6830 

www.bodysoulspiritexpo.com

"You should not confuse your career with your life."

To Purchase any of Dr. Farmer's Products or to schedule a Private Consultation please visit his website at www.drstevenfarmer.com or contact Jesseca @ 714-745-5194.

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

-Bill Cosby