Thank you so much. I really appreciate your wonderful words.

I agree that there is a lot of programming that occurs early on in life. Lipton talks about this as well. Apparently that programming starts invitro as well. I know I have heard a lot of people talk about how important it is to introduce positive things like music to a child in the womb or even talking to the unborn child. But I think it is just as important to make sure that you are keeping bad stuff away as well and not just things like not smoking or drinking. The parents should make sure that tehy aren't screaming at each other and that they surround themselves with a healthy and positive environment. Children while in the womb are able to pick up on the outside environment. This ability allows them to devevlop instincts and behavioral patterns that will help them survive once born. Yet imagine how wrong this process can go if the patterns that child is learning are hatred, dysfunction and insecurity learned by the way their parents interact with one another and others.

Once we are born in the world we learn by watching and imitating. Children are like sponges and they soak everything up. So you are absolutely right. There is a lot of programming that occurs during our childhoods that we aren't even aware of or just don't realize. I know that Don Miguel Ruiz calls this whole process the domestication of our children. Through their words and actions, parents teach and show children how they are supposed to act, what they are supposed to do and everything in between. That is why it is such a huge responsibility not to be taken lightly by anyone. That's why my hat goes off to those who choose to have children.

I also agree that it is important to teach children at a very young age to be proud of who they are no matter what that means to them. The more we educate them and make them aware of what exists in this world the better off they will be to make a difference in their own lives and in others. But I also know that while the discovery of self can be more difficult when your older, there is always hope. I trust in that completely for myself and everyone else. And the beauty of this world is that this isn't a journey any of us have to go on alone. There are times when we hit rode blocks or lose track of our goal, but that is the perfect time to receive that proverbial kick in the ass from a friend or a loved one. There is always help out there, it's just a matter of being open enough to ask for it and then let it in. That's one thing I say to people often that God is always and has always been a giving god. God has never denied us anything. We are the one's who deny ourselves.

Thanks again for your kind words and it makes me so happy to know that I have helped make it

"a wonderful day in the neighborhood"...

Blessings.