I am in the process of having one of my short {and I do mean short} stories published in the "Walk Around Portland" Anthology for Spring of 2007. There will be a reading this May around the middle of the month. My excitement has risen to a bit of a high, partly because the Anthology Committee has had a hard time choosing one of the three I had submitted. There was only room for one writing and they could not choose from the three I had submitted.
I am also being encouraged to collect all of my writings and then have them bound and published here in Portland. I think I have someone who will be able to assist me in collecting and revising the works.
I looked for my writings and learned I have spread them all over my office area. That is my first task and one I am needing to learn to save time in the future. The idea of a small journal to carry with me every day and a file of journals is a grand idea. It would help keep all the writings in one central area.
I am looking at this turn in my life as a way to make some spare change and maybe set myself on the road to being a known author in the Portland Vancouver literary arena.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Moving on in Honor
Saying Good-bye To A Home
I was sitting here and thinking about some of the thing my parents and grand parents did when we moved from place to place. I can still remember though it was over 60 years ago. My Grandma was the leader of the family and she started with some singing about the life we shared with our home. She told the spirits how we felt about leaving the place and not knowing if the home would be honored or hurt. We had to move and she explained where we were going and what we hoped to find there, like work or medical or more land to farm. Saying good-bye was and is an important part of moving forward. It gave us a sense of completion so that we are able to fully inhabit our new space, having left nothing of ourselves behind in the old one. In this way, we honor the space that had held and nurtured us. At the same time, we cleanse it and empty it of our energy so that the new residents can make the space theirs. Plan a walk through your home that begins and ends at the front door. Ideally, you will be alone or accompanied only by a person who shared the space with you. Prepare yourself mentally to be as present as you can during this process. Now you enter the house, you might say, "I have come to thank you for being my home and to say good-bye." You might touch the walls with your hands as you move through the house, or you might burn sage as an offering, as well as an energy cleanser. Spend some time in each room expressing your gratitude and gathering or releasing any lingering energy from the room. As you do this, you are freeing your home to embrace its new occupants. Remember to visit your outside spaces as well. Plants are especially sensitive to the energy around them and will appreciate your consideration. As you make your way back to the front door, know that you have completed your final journey through your home and that you have honored and blessed it with this ritual of farewell. As you close and lock the door behind you, say one last good-bye. Now you can walk freely into your future and fully inhabit the new spaces that will keep you safe and warm.
I was sitting here and thinking about some of the thing my parents and grand parents did when we moved from place to place. I can still remember though it was over 60 years ago. My Grandma was the leader of the family and she started with some singing about the life we shared with our home. She told the spirits how we felt about leaving the place and not knowing if the home would be honored or hurt. We had to move and she explained where we were going and what we hoped to find there, like work or medical or more land to farm. Saying good-bye was and is an important part of moving forward. It gave us a sense of completion so that we are able to fully inhabit our new space, having left nothing of ourselves behind in the old one. In this way, we honor the space that had held and nurtured us. At the same time, we cleanse it and empty it of our energy so that the new residents can make the space theirs. Plan a walk through your home that begins and ends at the front door. Ideally, you will be alone or accompanied only by a person who shared the space with you. Prepare yourself mentally to be as present as you can during this process. Now you enter the house, you might say, "I have come to thank you for being my home and to say good-bye." You might touch the walls with your hands as you move through the house, or you might burn sage as an offering, as well as an energy cleanser. Spend some time in each room expressing your gratitude and gathering or releasing any lingering energy from the room. As you do this, you are freeing your home to embrace its new occupants. Remember to visit your outside spaces as well. Plants are especially sensitive to the energy around them and will appreciate your consideration. As you make your way back to the front door, know that you have completed your final journey through your home and that you have honored and blessed it with this ritual of farewell. As you close and lock the door behind you, say one last good-bye. Now you can walk freely into your future and fully inhabit the new spaces that will keep you safe and warm.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Unqualified Happiness Only
March 30,
Since most of our experiences are rooted in cause and effect, we naturally want to justify our contentment. We envision grand circumstances, stating that if only we could achieve this goal or obtain that possession, we would finally be in a position to attain happiness. As a result, satisfaction is always just out of reach and the very notion of grabbing hold of it seems like nothing more than a pipe dream. But the truth is that sincere contentment and fulfillment are never wholly the result of external events or situations. Though life's joyful moments can ignite the spark of contentment within us, that spark is fueled by serenity long established in our souls. When we forget this, it is easy to become stuck in "if only" patterns of thought. If we concentrate on the natural serenity that exists within us, however, we can move forward unimpeded by disappointment. The circumstances you live through each day have the potential to bring both joy and despair into your life. Relying on the reactions they awaken within you to create an emotional foundation means living on a roller coaster of feeling whose course is determined by chance. Though you may yearn for the object of your desire-be it a new job, financial health, a spouse, or some other symbol of success-you have within you the power to be happy without it. Letting go of your "if only" thinking patterns can be as easy as recognizing that inward emptiness cannot be dispelled with outer world solutions. Try creating a list of your "if only"s. Then literally and figuratively let go of the items on the list by tearing it up or burning it. This simple action can help set in motion the intention to set you free, enabling you to make a fresh and balanced start in the present, unencumbered by regrets and unfulfilled desires. There will likely be periods in your life in which you find yourself tempted to seek a magic formula for fulfillment that is centered upon a single goal or achievement. But the ingredients that come together to form the seeds of happiness that can sustain your spirit throughout the triumphs and trials of existence come from within rather than from without. When your search for satisfaction is focused on your soul, you will never fail to find the joy you seek.
Since most of our experiences are rooted in cause and effect, we naturally want to justify our contentment. We envision grand circumstances, stating that if only we could achieve this goal or obtain that possession, we would finally be in a position to attain happiness. As a result, satisfaction is always just out of reach and the very notion of grabbing hold of it seems like nothing more than a pipe dream. But the truth is that sincere contentment and fulfillment are never wholly the result of external events or situations. Though life's joyful moments can ignite the spark of contentment within us, that spark is fueled by serenity long established in our souls. When we forget this, it is easy to become stuck in "if only" patterns of thought. If we concentrate on the natural serenity that exists within us, however, we can move forward unimpeded by disappointment. The circumstances you live through each day have the potential to bring both joy and despair into your life. Relying on the reactions they awaken within you to create an emotional foundation means living on a roller coaster of feeling whose course is determined by chance. Though you may yearn for the object of your desire-be it a new job, financial health, a spouse, or some other symbol of success-you have within you the power to be happy without it. Letting go of your "if only" thinking patterns can be as easy as recognizing that inward emptiness cannot be dispelled with outer world solutions. Try creating a list of your "if only"s. Then literally and figuratively let go of the items on the list by tearing it up or burning it. This simple action can help set in motion the intention to set you free, enabling you to make a fresh and balanced start in the present, unencumbered by regrets and unfulfilled desires. There will likely be periods in your life in which you find yourself tempted to seek a magic formula for fulfillment that is centered upon a single goal or achievement. But the ingredients that come together to form the seeds of happiness that can sustain your spirit throughout the triumphs and trials of existence come from within rather than from without. When your search for satisfaction is focused on your soul, you will never fail to find the joy you seek.
Gift of the Week
Recycled Wrapper Bowls & Coasters
The decisions we make, the thoughts we think, and the actions we take are all parts of a larger web of human development. This means that each and every human being has been blessed with the ability to positively impact the whole of humanity by living conscious lives and making thoughtful choices. Bringing this notion of interconnectivity into our lives in a practical fashion can be as effortless as beautifying our spaces with objects that are evocative of this highly significant concept and that help us connect with individuals from diverse cultures. Recycled wrapper bowls and coasters are handcrafted using colorful recycled snack-food wrappers, forming brilliant and practical items that help improve the lives of the artisans who create them. They also remind us that we are also a part of a larger chain of unified existence. In Nepal, in the remote mountain villages of Lapa, Tipling, and Shertung, what might be viewed as a throwaway item is made meaningful by artisans who weave the recycled wrappers into useful and uplifting works of art. Their efforts, however, are only one part of a larger effort to encourage the collection of non-biodegradable materials and share the importance of a balanced ecology with the inhabitants of these untouched natural areas. Proceeds from these unique, one-of-a-kind objects help fund health care and community education in rural Nepal, while also providing a much needed livelihood for talented artists. Using a set of three recycled wrapper bowls or six coasters is one way of showing that you care deeply for the welfare and well-being of humanity. Should someone close to you comment on these distinctive treasures, you can explain their origin and encourage others to become a more active part of the chain of interconnectivity.
The decisions we make, the thoughts we think, and the actions we take are all parts of a larger web of human development. This means that each and every human being has been blessed with the ability to positively impact the whole of humanity by living conscious lives and making thoughtful choices. Bringing this notion of interconnectivity into our lives in a practical fashion can be as effortless as beautifying our spaces with objects that are evocative of this highly significant concept and that help us connect with individuals from diverse cultures. Recycled wrapper bowls and coasters are handcrafted using colorful recycled snack-food wrappers, forming brilliant and practical items that help improve the lives of the artisans who create them. They also remind us that we are also a part of a larger chain of unified existence. In Nepal, in the remote mountain villages of Lapa, Tipling, and Shertung, what might be viewed as a throwaway item is made meaningful by artisans who weave the recycled wrappers into useful and uplifting works of art. Their efforts, however, are only one part of a larger effort to encourage the collection of non-biodegradable materials and share the importance of a balanced ecology with the inhabitants of these untouched natural areas. Proceeds from these unique, one-of-a-kind objects help fund health care and community education in rural Nepal, while also providing a much needed livelihood for talented artists. Using a set of three recycled wrapper bowls or six coasters is one way of showing that you care deeply for the welfare and well-being of humanity. Should someone close to you comment on these distinctive treasures, you can explain their origin and encourage others to become a more active part of the chain of interconnectivity.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Majical Things
March 23, 2007
Tangible Enchantment
Though the universe as a whole is imbued with an undeniable aura of magic, we can further fill our lives with magic by creating a collection of magical things. More than being simply beautiful, such objects can potentially play an active role in the shaping of our experience as each magical object serves a unique and multifaceted purpose. Some inspire us to reflect while some have the power to positively influence our moods. Others take us back in time, capturing in their essence memories locked in history or helping us reaffirm our connection with the universe. Magical objects can be found almost anywhere and can be practically anything, from gifts of nature to manmade artifacts. You'll know an object is truly magical when it touches you deeply, awakening some primal part of yourself that is more profoundly connected to the ethereal. There is no right or wrong way to introduce a magical object into your life-the collection you create can be large or small, kept in private or publicly displayed. You may already be in possession of such objects. Perhaps you keep a smooth river stone next to your bed because its presence is soothing. Or you find yourself intensely drawn to certain antique items that seem to radiate light and energy. Whatever the nature of the objects you deem magical, there are many ways to utilize them. Those that help you reach a contemplative and relaxed state may best serve their purpose on your personal altar or in some special place in your home. Objects that bring you comfort can be kept in a small pouch and carried throughout the day. Or you may feel compelled to infuse your collection with beauty by making it into a collage that naturally draws your eye and stimulates your soul. Everyone can benefit from surrounding themselves with magical objects. Our lives are made just a little more light and fun when having magical things in our presence. If you feel you don't have anything magical in your life, ask the universe for help, and it will not be long before a meaningful artifact, a simple feather, a special stone, or another powerful item reveals itself to you and fills your life with enchantment.
Tangible Enchantment
Though the universe as a whole is imbued with an undeniable aura of magic, we can further fill our lives with magic by creating a collection of magical things. More than being simply beautiful, such objects can potentially play an active role in the shaping of our experience as each magical object serves a unique and multifaceted purpose. Some inspire us to reflect while some have the power to positively influence our moods. Others take us back in time, capturing in their essence memories locked in history or helping us reaffirm our connection with the universe. Magical objects can be found almost anywhere and can be practically anything, from gifts of nature to manmade artifacts. You'll know an object is truly magical when it touches you deeply, awakening some primal part of yourself that is more profoundly connected to the ethereal. There is no right or wrong way to introduce a magical object into your life-the collection you create can be large or small, kept in private or publicly displayed. You may already be in possession of such objects. Perhaps you keep a smooth river stone next to your bed because its presence is soothing. Or you find yourself intensely drawn to certain antique items that seem to radiate light and energy. Whatever the nature of the objects you deem magical, there are many ways to utilize them. Those that help you reach a contemplative and relaxed state may best serve their purpose on your personal altar or in some special place in your home. Objects that bring you comfort can be kept in a small pouch and carried throughout the day. Or you may feel compelled to infuse your collection with beauty by making it into a collage that naturally draws your eye and stimulates your soul. Everyone can benefit from surrounding themselves with magical objects. Our lives are made just a little more light and fun when having magical things in our presence. If you feel you don't have anything magical in your life, ask the universe for help, and it will not be long before a meaningful artifact, a simple feather, a special stone, or another powerful item reveals itself to you and fills your life with enchantment.
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Five Finger PrayerThis is beautiful - and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2.The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and medicine people/m inisters. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3.The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the our, leaders in business and industry and otherwise. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need guidance.
4.The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5.And lastly comes our little finger the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to Great Spirit and others. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.Prayer...it surely can't hurt, but it certainly can help.
---The happiest of people don't have the best of everything;they just make the best of everything that comes their way.
1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
2.The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and medicine people/m inisters. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
3.The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the our, leaders in business and industry and otherwise. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need guidance.
4.The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5.And lastly comes our little finger the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to Great Spirit and others. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.Prayer...it surely can't hurt, but it certainly can help.
---The happiest of people don't have the best of everything;they just make the best of everything that comes their way.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
They do walk among us...
I walked into a Blimpie's with a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a sandwich. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said "buy one-get one free". "They're already buy-one-get-one-free", she said, "so I guess they're both free". She handed me my free sandwiches and I walked out the door.
They walk among us and many work retail.
One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?" They walk among us!
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff."
They walk among us!!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told her, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." She responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."
They walk among us!
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut\n through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.
They walk among us!
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now ," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?"
They walk among us!
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if\n he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."
AND........ they reproduce! ".
They walk among us and many work retail.
One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, "Look at that dead bird!" Someone looked up at the sky and said, "Where?" They walk among us!
While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the north?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that stuff."
They walk among us!!
I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told her, "The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." She responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."
They walk among us!
My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut\n through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.
They walk among us!
I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. "Now ," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?"
They walk among us!
While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if\n he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. "Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces."
AND........ they reproduce! ".
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
interesting words for my new way to think
I think these are my present 'most interesting' words. scintilla...sclaff...oakling...morion...Mormon...felucca...feria...fence time
The fence time was closed on the Mormon,
And they seemed to know,
For they flew at great speed,
To the waters off the coast of France.
It struggle in the wind.
The breeze on shore was stiff for the little oakling,
It struggle in the salty breeze
A far off scent of seaweed filled the shore.
A felucca moved across the water
Dressed in the colors
For the feria of Santa Luccia,
The greatest feast day for no reason.
On board the felucca
A Wizard gazed into his morion
For a vision of the Future,
As she silently moved on the sea.
There in the morion was the smallest
Laziest sclaff, but it was there,
The wizards eyes were sure now
This was to be a long trip with little profit.
The fence time was closed on the Mormon,
And they seemed to know,
For they flew at great speed,
To the waters off the coast of France.
It struggle in the wind.
The breeze on shore was stiff for the little oakling,
It struggle in the salty breeze
A far off scent of seaweed filled the shore.
A felucca moved across the water
Dressed in the colors
For the feria of Santa Luccia,
The greatest feast day for no reason.
On board the felucca
A Wizard gazed into his morion
For a vision of the Future,
As she silently moved on the sea.
There in the morion was the smallest
Laziest sclaff, but it was there,
The wizards eyes were sure now
This was to be a long trip with little profit.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Laughs
Belly Laughs
As children, we laugh hundreds of times each day, delighted by the newness of living. When we reach adulthood, however, we tend to not allow ourselves to let go in a good belly laugh. Inviting laughter back into our lives is simply a matter of making the conscious decision to laugh. Though most of us are incited to laugh only when exposed to humor or the unexpected, each of us is capable of laughing at will. A laugh that comes from the belly carries with it the same positive effects whether prompted by a funny joke or consciously willed into existence. When our laughter comes from the core of our being, it permeates every cell in our physical bodies, beginning in the center and radiating outward, until we are not merely belly laughing but rather body laughing.
Laughter has been a part of the human mode of expression since before evolution granted us the art of speech. Through it, we connected with allies while demonstrating our connection with people we didn't know. In the present, laughter allows us to enjoy positive shared experiences with strangers and loved ones alike. Yet solitary laughter carries with it its own slew of benefits. An energetic and enthusiastic bout of whole-body laughter exercises the muscles, the lungs, and the mind in equal measure, leaving us feeling relaxed and content. When we laugh heartily at life's ridiculousness instead of responding irritably, our focus shifts. Anger, stress, guilt, and sadness no longer wield any influence over us, and we are empowered to make light of what we originally feared. Laughter also opens our hearts, letting love and light in, changing our perspective, and enabling us to fix our attention on what is positive in our lives.
It is easy to laugh when we feel good, but it is when the world appears dim that we most need laughter in our lives. Our laughter then resonates through our hearts, filling the empty spaces with pure, unadulterated joy. We regain our footing in the moment and remember that no sorrow is powerful enough to rob us of our inborn happiness. When we understand that uninhibited laughter is the food of the soul, nourishing us from within, we know instinctively that life is worthwhile.
What do you think?
As children, we laugh hundreds of times each day, delighted by the newness of living. When we reach adulthood, however, we tend to not allow ourselves to let go in a good belly laugh. Inviting laughter back into our lives is simply a matter of making the conscious decision to laugh. Though most of us are incited to laugh only when exposed to humor or the unexpected, each of us is capable of laughing at will. A laugh that comes from the belly carries with it the same positive effects whether prompted by a funny joke or consciously willed into existence. When our laughter comes from the core of our being, it permeates every cell in our physical bodies, beginning in the center and radiating outward, until we are not merely belly laughing but rather body laughing.
Laughter has been a part of the human mode of expression since before evolution granted us the art of speech. Through it, we connected with allies while demonstrating our connection with people we didn't know. In the present, laughter allows us to enjoy positive shared experiences with strangers and loved ones alike. Yet solitary laughter carries with it its own slew of benefits. An energetic and enthusiastic bout of whole-body laughter exercises the muscles, the lungs, and the mind in equal measure, leaving us feeling relaxed and content. When we laugh heartily at life's ridiculousness instead of responding irritably, our focus shifts. Anger, stress, guilt, and sadness no longer wield any influence over us, and we are empowered to make light of what we originally feared. Laughter also opens our hearts, letting love and light in, changing our perspective, and enabling us to fix our attention on what is positive in our lives.
It is easy to laugh when we feel good, but it is when the world appears dim that we most need laughter in our lives. Our laughter then resonates through our hearts, filling the empty spaces with pure, unadulterated joy. We regain our footing in the moment and remember that no sorrow is powerful enough to rob us of our inborn happiness. When we understand that uninhibited laughter is the food of the soul, nourishing us from within, we know instinctively that life is worthwhile.
What do you think?
Friday, February 02, 2007
Angels in the P.O.
I have all too often wished there were more angels in the systems everywhere. Here is one that has captured my heart. Rocco...
Subject: One of the sweetest emails you will ever read! And one I just had to post for you.
USPS Story (US Postal Service)
Our dog, Abbey, died Aug. 23. The day after Abbey died, my 4 year old, Meredith, was SO upset. She wanted to write a letter to God so that God would recognize Abbey in heaven. She told me what to write, and I did. Then, she put 2 pictures of Abbey in the envelope. We addressed it to God in Heaven, put two stamps on it (because, as she said, it could be a long way to heaven). We put our return address on it, and I let her put it in the drop box at the post office that afternoon. She was absolutely sure that letter would get to heaven, and I wasn't about to disillusion her.
So today is Labor Day. We took the kids to the museum in Austin; and when we came home, there was a package wrapped in gold on our front porch. It was addressed to Mer. So, she took it inside and opened it.
Inside was a book, "When Your Pet Dies", by Mr. Rogers (Fred Rogers). On the front cover was the letter we had written to God in its envelope (opened). On the opposite page was one of the pictures of Abbey taped on the page. On the back page was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
"Dear Mer,
I know that you will be happy to find out that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in heaven. Having the pictures you sent to me was a big help! I recognized Abbey right away!
You know, Mer, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me (-just like it stays in your heart-) young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep things in-- so I am sendingyour beautiful letter back to you with the pictures--so that you will have this little memory book to keep.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope this little book will help.
Thank you for your beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
God blesses you every day and remember, I love you very much. By the way, I am in heaven and I'm everywhere there is love.
Signed,
God, and one of his special angels
(who wrote this letter after God told HER the words)."
How wonderful is that! I never knew there were angels working the post office!
Subject: One of the sweetest emails you will ever read! And one I just had to post for you.
USPS Story (US Postal Service)
Our dog, Abbey, died Aug. 23. The day after Abbey died, my 4 year old, Meredith, was SO upset. She wanted to write a letter to God so that God would recognize Abbey in heaven. She told me what to write, and I did. Then, she put 2 pictures of Abbey in the envelope. We addressed it to God in Heaven, put two stamps on it (because, as she said, it could be a long way to heaven). We put our return address on it, and I let her put it in the drop box at the post office that afternoon. She was absolutely sure that letter would get to heaven, and I wasn't about to disillusion her.
So today is Labor Day. We took the kids to the museum in Austin; and when we came home, there was a package wrapped in gold on our front porch. It was addressed to Mer. So, she took it inside and opened it.
Inside was a book, "When Your Pet Dies", by Mr. Rogers (Fred Rogers). On the front cover was the letter we had written to God in its envelope (opened). On the opposite page was one of the pictures of Abbey taped on the page. On the back page was the other picture of Abbey, and this handwritten note on pink paper:
"Dear Mer,
I know that you will be happy to find out that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in heaven. Having the pictures you sent to me was a big help! I recognized Abbey right away!
You know, Mer, she isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me (-just like it stays in your heart-) young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep things in-- so I am sendingyour beautiful letter back to you with the pictures--so that you will have this little memory book to keep.
One of my angels is taking care of this for me. I hope this little book will help.
Thank you for your beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
God blesses you every day and remember, I love you very much. By the way, I am in heaven and I'm everywhere there is love.
Signed,
God, and one of his special angels
(who wrote this letter after God told HER the words)."
How wonderful is that! I never knew there were angels working the post office!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Talking about subsidies.
Taking the subsidies away from the Tobacco industry would surely stop subsidies the farm industry. It would create food more expensive to the public. This would decrease the amount of extra monies available to purchase new cars every couple of years. We would not be able to take those expensive vacations to Disney World or Cabo San Lucas, or the Bahamas. We would need to live with-in our means.
We live a life style that is subsidized to the hilt. Our economy is held up by credit and an ever more increase in credit to those who are least able to afford off. Farmers get a credit increase on the speculation of next seasons crops. People are given an increase in credit to purchase those “necessary goods” to make their lives a better. One example is the new long term credit line to purchase a new car. WOW! 96 months to pay your new car off. Never mind it will cost you double to have that new car and that you will be top heavy and not be able to sell or trade your car for 5 of those 9 years or 8 years or even 7 years. You have your NEW CAR for now at least. Purchase a home? The cost of home could become something that your debt will be inherited you’re your children to finish paying, if you could ever find a home you could qualify for. Now 50 year loans are being available.
If we are to be a part of the worlds “People” and we must be a part of the worlds paying. The price of gas is subsidized, the price of food is subsidized, the Auto industry is subsidized. Practically everything we use, eat and otherwise pay a lower price for is subsidized. We have been sold a bill of goods that says we DESERVE these things, We have a right to them. We are the strongest and the biggest guys on the world, so we aught to be able to spend and use at the rest of the worlds expense. I wonder?
Love is Here to Stay
THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT!
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 A.M., when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated thathe was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took hisvital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hourbefore someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at hiswatch and decided, since I was not busy with anotherpatient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it waswell healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the neededsupplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursinghome to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if shewould be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longerknew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. Iwas surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, eventhough she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and willnot be.
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 A.M., when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated thathe was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took hisvital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hourbefore someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at hiswatch and decided, since I was not busy with anotherpatient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it waswell healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the neededsupplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursinghome to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if shewould be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longerknew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. Iwas surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, eventhough she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is." I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and willnot be.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
On the road again
Sounds like a great song title. I have had my share of travels these past months. This week I am in Utah and doing a service by performing a wedding for a bloodbrother and his younga bit longer est son. As I do NOT fly, the travel is slow but then I do stay on the ground. My concern is the lack of comfortable land transportation. The car is way to expensive and not as earth friendly as I would like. The Bus system is a disaster, both in accomidations and friendliness of the staff in general. I have given up on trying to find a bus with a comfortable seat. The last but not least is the rail system. Because the owners of he different rail services have yet to grow up and realize they have a role to fill as movers of PEOPLE (as well as merchandise), and that people are the major priority, the ability to reach any destination is poor at best. The only line I have found to be of any effective way to reach places, is the norther routes. Then with the decreace in destinations, even that is very selective. What has happened to the priority of service and safety for the public? Why is there nolonger a pride in being a member of the FAMILY of America? Afre we to be set as just another piece of merchandise to be stamped and herded from here to there?
If you are in the least disabled...watchout! Our overall view by the merchant and the government is just a large bit of lip service. i have found the general view is that I am an inconvience and a source of more money by the general public and the travel systems. The bus makes it clear that to travel with them I must be able to manover the steps onto the bus w/o driver of attendant aid. If that cannot be accomplished...tough. after all it is the cheapest way to travel and those who are on fixed income (low to lower middle class) ARE JUST S.O.L..
The trainer are a bit better, there is a small section down in the lower level to aid the disabled to travel. It IS in the wheelwell of the trains. sights are the bottom of boxcars as you pass or the other passenger train wheelwell passangers on the passing trains. Never mind the diner ot the observation areas, the lap top electrical outlets, or the idea of a hot cup of coffee easily available. OH NO!!!!!! Heaven forbid. Don't let anyone see they carry us on the train. It takes special measures to get into that wheelwell from the get-go. Why????? is our money less worthy of the cash box than others. Try a sleeper. If you cannot get to the upper level you arfe not considered a 1st class passenger. Whoa, I just paid the extra 400 plus dollars for my little not see berth, why not 1st class.
Now for late trains! when a train is late say 9 hours, people say...Oh!, that's not too bad, last month I was 12 hours late and had to wait two day for the next trian as the run everyother day. What 12 hours late! Two day wait! Come on folks... if you want better service and more travel destinations AND better service...stop being so understanding and accepting the all too many EXCUSES for BAD service. If your trip is a round trip, you gwet to do it all over again. Remeber that bad service or lack of care of wheelwell passage, you think it has changed? They peoiple change not the service accessability.
You may notice I have not started on Air Travel in those cattle cars. Nor the lack of assurance at the airports you will be safe on this plane. HOMELAND SECURITY will see to you feeling you are atleast due to be threatened by some terrorist from iraq, no wait ireland, no wait china (oops prefered trade nation), no wait MARS,... for the crying out loud. We have more to fear from the homeland security than any one group of people traveling by air. Who's fault was the "9-11" tragity anyway. Moneymakers who didn't care to be more aware of who they taught than how much their 'tills" would ring. So now we have a small form of the Nazi S.S. working well in the USA. Thanks to Mr President and the panic congress fearful they would be seen as cowards not to be leaders and clear thinkers i n taht time of crisis.
Well, it is now 7:14 and the day here is due to begin. See you later.
Peace
If you are in the least disabled...watchout! Our overall view by the merchant and the government is just a large bit of lip service. i have found the general view is that I am an inconvience and a source of more money by the general public and the travel systems. The bus makes it clear that to travel with them I must be able to manover the steps onto the bus w/o driver of attendant aid. If that cannot be accomplished...tough. after all it is the cheapest way to travel and those who are on fixed income (low to lower middle class) ARE JUST S.O.L..
The trainer are a bit better, there is a small section down in the lower level to aid the disabled to travel. It IS in the wheelwell of the trains. sights are the bottom of boxcars as you pass or the other passenger train wheelwell passangers on the passing trains. Never mind the diner ot the observation areas, the lap top electrical outlets, or the idea of a hot cup of coffee easily available. OH NO!!!!!! Heaven forbid. Don't let anyone see they carry us on the train. It takes special measures to get into that wheelwell from the get-go. Why????? is our money less worthy of the cash box than others. Try a sleeper. If you cannot get to the upper level you arfe not considered a 1st class passenger. Whoa, I just paid the extra 400 plus dollars for my little not see berth, why not 1st class.
Now for late trains! when a train is late say 9 hours, people say...Oh!, that's not too bad, last month I was 12 hours late and had to wait two day for the next trian as the run everyother day. What 12 hours late! Two day wait! Come on folks... if you want better service and more travel destinations AND better service...stop being so understanding and accepting the all too many EXCUSES for BAD service. If your trip is a round trip, you gwet to do it all over again. Remeber that bad service or lack of care of wheelwell passage, you think it has changed? They peoiple change not the service accessability.
You may notice I have not started on Air Travel in those cattle cars. Nor the lack of assurance at the airports you will be safe on this plane. HOMELAND SECURITY will see to you feeling you are atleast due to be threatened by some terrorist from iraq, no wait ireland, no wait china (oops prefered trade nation), no wait MARS,... for the crying out loud. We have more to fear from the homeland security than any one group of people traveling by air. Who's fault was the "9-11" tragity anyway. Moneymakers who didn't care to be more aware of who they taught than how much their 'tills" would ring. So now we have a small form of the Nazi S.S. working well in the USA. Thanks to Mr President and the panic congress fearful they would be seen as cowards not to be leaders and clear thinkers i n taht time of crisis.
Well, it is now 7:14 and the day here is due to begin. See you later.
Peace
Monday, January 08, 2007
To run or not to run
Facing Problems
There are times when change is the right thing at the right time. There are also times when the urge for change is really just a desire to run away from problems that need to be faced rather than avoided. These are the kinds of problems that recur over and over again in your lives. A couple of example, issues with co-workers that seem to arise at every job we take, repeatedly getting into unhealthy relationships. A move might temporarily distract you, and even cure the problem for a time, simply by taking you out of the situation in which the problem fully manifested itself. However, the problem will eventually appear again in your new situation.
One way to make sure you aren’t running away from your problems is to notice whether you are moving towards something that is exciting in its own right, as opposed to something that is appealing only because it is not where you are now. For example, if you are leaving a city because you feel you can’t afford it, you could be reinforcing poverty consciousness, and you might find that you are unable to make ends meet in your new city as well. It would ultimately be less of an effort to stay where you are and look more deeply into your beliefs about money. You may discover that as you address these issues, you are able to make more money simply by changing your mindset. You may still decide to move, but it will be an act with a positive intention behind it and not an escape, which could make all the difference.
Any pain involved in facing your issues is well worth the effort in the end. When you face your problems instead of avoiding them, you free your energy and transform yourselves from people who run away into people who move enthusiastically forward.
There are times when change is the right thing at the right time. There are also times when the urge for change is really just a desire to run away from problems that need to be faced rather than avoided. These are the kinds of problems that recur over and over again in your lives. A couple of example, issues with co-workers that seem to arise at every job we take, repeatedly getting into unhealthy relationships. A move might temporarily distract you, and even cure the problem for a time, simply by taking you out of the situation in which the problem fully manifested itself. However, the problem will eventually appear again in your new situation.
One way to make sure you aren’t running away from your problems is to notice whether you are moving towards something that is exciting in its own right, as opposed to something that is appealing only because it is not where you are now. For example, if you are leaving a city because you feel you can’t afford it, you could be reinforcing poverty consciousness, and you might find that you are unable to make ends meet in your new city as well. It would ultimately be less of an effort to stay where you are and look more deeply into your beliefs about money. You may discover that as you address these issues, you are able to make more money simply by changing your mindset. You may still decide to move, but it will be an act with a positive intention behind it and not an escape, which could make all the difference.
Any pain involved in facing your issues is well worth the effort in the end. When you face your problems instead of avoiding them, you free your energy and transform yourselves from people who run away into people who move enthusiastically forward.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Family
We Are Family
When it comes to our families, we sometimes see only our differences. We see the way our parents cling to ideas we don’t believe, or act in ways we try not to act. We see how practical one of our siblings is and wonder how we can be from the same gene pool. Similarly, within the human family we see how different we are from each other, in ways ranging from gender and race to geographical location and religious beliefs. It is almost as if we think we are a different species sometimes. But the truth is, in our personal families as well as the human family, we really are the same. A single mother of four living in Africa looks up at the same stars and moon that shine down on an elderly Frenchman in Paris. A Tibetan monk living in India, a newborn infant in China, and a young couple saying their marriage vows in Indiana all breathe the same air, by the same process. We have all been hurt and we have all cried. Each one of us knows how it feels to love someone dearly. No matter what our political views are, we all love to laugh. Regardless of how much or how little money we have, our hearts pump blood through our bodies in the same way. With all this in common, it is clear we are each individual members of the same family. We are human. Acknowledging how close we all are, instead of clinging to what separates us, enables us to feel less alone in the world. Every person we meet, see, hear, or read about, is a member of our family. We are truly not alone. We also begin to see that we are perfectly capable of understanding and relating to people who, on the surface, may seem very different from us. This awareness prevents us from disconnecting from people on the other side of the tracks, and the other side of the world. We begin to understand that we must treat all people for what they are—family.
When it comes to our families, we sometimes see only our differences. We see the way our parents cling to ideas we don’t believe, or act in ways we try not to act. We see how practical one of our siblings is and wonder how we can be from the same gene pool. Similarly, within the human family we see how different we are from each other, in ways ranging from gender and race to geographical location and religious beliefs. It is almost as if we think we are a different species sometimes. But the truth is, in our personal families as well as the human family, we really are the same. A single mother of four living in Africa looks up at the same stars and moon that shine down on an elderly Frenchman in Paris. A Tibetan monk living in India, a newborn infant in China, and a young couple saying their marriage vows in Indiana all breathe the same air, by the same process. We have all been hurt and we have all cried. Each one of us knows how it feels to love someone dearly. No matter what our political views are, we all love to laugh. Regardless of how much or how little money we have, our hearts pump blood through our bodies in the same way. With all this in common, it is clear we are each individual members of the same family. We are human. Acknowledging how close we all are, instead of clinging to what separates us, enables us to feel less alone in the world. Every person we meet, see, hear, or read about, is a member of our family. We are truly not alone. We also begin to see that we are perfectly capable of understanding and relating to people who, on the surface, may seem very different from us. This awareness prevents us from disconnecting from people on the other side of the tracks, and the other side of the world. We begin to understand that we must treat all people for what they are—family.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Winter
A Season Of Slumber
In times past, the bare-limbed trees, long nights, and biting chill of winter signified to all that the time had come to slow down. Humanity emulated the animals, retreating into cozy dwellings where they sustained themselves on foods harvested late in autumn and passed the time in peaceful reflection. Today, most people proceed ruddy-cheeked through winter’s frosts, ignoring the profound effects cold weather has on their bodies and their minds. Yet the beauty and significance of wintertime cannot be so easily overlooked. As the temperature plummets, leaving the air crisp and the landscape bare, we tend to crave warmth and relish rich foods. The presence of loved ones seems more comforting when blustery winds rattle window panes and we feel compelled to conserve our energy by engaging in only the most soothing of activities. Though your daily schedule may remain more or less the same no matter what time of year it is, you will find in winter many opportunities to honor the way in which you are impacted by this most magical of seasons. At first glance, the world may seem desolate during the coldest months. Yet there are many unique and stimulating sensory experiences to be had—in the intricate beauty of individual snowflakes, the patterns of frost that form on your windows, the tang of smoke from wood-fueled fireplaces, the crunch of freshly fallen snow under your feet, and the briskness of the air. Do not be afraid to venture joyfully out into the cold and the snow as you may have when you were a child. A tingling and reddened nose is a small price to pay for a clear mind and invigorated soul. If your body articulates a desire to rest, give yourself permission to spend your free time reading, writing in your journal, daydreaming, engaging in artistic pursuits, playing board games, working a puzz! le or meditating. Many plants, like the tulip and the apple tree, would not blossom in the springtime were it not for the period of dormancy that is the gift of winter’s chill. Their example can inspire us to use this season of slumber to cleanse ourselves of spiritual and emotional detritus like flora shedding lifeless foliage so that we, too, may emerge from under the frost refreshed and renewed when spring arrives.
In times past, the bare-limbed trees, long nights, and biting chill of winter signified to all that the time had come to slow down. Humanity emulated the animals, retreating into cozy dwellings where they sustained themselves on foods harvested late in autumn and passed the time in peaceful reflection. Today, most people proceed ruddy-cheeked through winter’s frosts, ignoring the profound effects cold weather has on their bodies and their minds. Yet the beauty and significance of wintertime cannot be so easily overlooked. As the temperature plummets, leaving the air crisp and the landscape bare, we tend to crave warmth and relish rich foods. The presence of loved ones seems more comforting when blustery winds rattle window panes and we feel compelled to conserve our energy by engaging in only the most soothing of activities. Though your daily schedule may remain more or less the same no matter what time of year it is, you will find in winter many opportunities to honor the way in which you are impacted by this most magical of seasons. At first glance, the world may seem desolate during the coldest months. Yet there are many unique and stimulating sensory experiences to be had—in the intricate beauty of individual snowflakes, the patterns of frost that form on your windows, the tang of smoke from wood-fueled fireplaces, the crunch of freshly fallen snow under your feet, and the briskness of the air. Do not be afraid to venture joyfully out into the cold and the snow as you may have when you were a child. A tingling and reddened nose is a small price to pay for a clear mind and invigorated soul. If your body articulates a desire to rest, give yourself permission to spend your free time reading, writing in your journal, daydreaming, engaging in artistic pursuits, playing board games, working a puzz! le or meditating. Many plants, like the tulip and the apple tree, would not blossom in the springtime were it not for the period of dormancy that is the gift of winter’s chill. Their example can inspire us to use this season of slumber to cleanse ourselves of spiritual and emotional detritus like flora shedding lifeless foliage so that we, too, may emerge from under the frost refreshed and renewed when spring arrives.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Merry Christmas
Rediscovering Your JoyfulnessHoliday Blues
The holidays can trigger the blues for a lot of people. We all have associations with the music, the decorations, and the foods that are so pervasive at this time of year. We may look back on a happy childhood and feel that our present situation doesn’t measure up. On the other hand, we may be reminded of what we wanted but didn’t get as children. Either way, our real lives are unfolding in the here and now. This is a new holiday season altogether, and we can find joy in the fact that we can make it our own and let it be new. One key way to reinvigorate your holiday is to let go of feeling obligated to engage in rituals or situations that make you feel unhappy. It is easy to get lost in the trance of tradition and lose track of who you really are and what serves you as you are now. But there is a wonderful payoff if you take the time to touch base with what you really want and give it to yourself. When you take care of yourself, your capacity to give to others expands exponentially, and so does your innate joyfulness. The first step is taking time to sort through any baggage that’s nagging you. If sad memories present themselves, know that you are not alone. It is well-documented that many people suffer from depression at this time of year. The key is to face these feelings, hear them out, and fully process them so that you can be free again. Try giving yourself the space and time to consider what will be truly healing for you this year. Perhaps you’d rather go on vacation to a tropical island with friends than go back home to a dysfunctional family. Maybe you’d prefer not to exchange gifts. Maybe you want to change-up the traditional dinner fare and make something profoundly healthy or exotic. As you infuse this holiday with new energy, you will feel your blues lightening and your joyfulness steadily on the rise. Try to make this holiday season about who you are now, not what you were in the past. Enjoy.
The holidays can trigger the blues for a lot of people. We all have associations with the music, the decorations, and the foods that are so pervasive at this time of year. We may look back on a happy childhood and feel that our present situation doesn’t measure up. On the other hand, we may be reminded of what we wanted but didn’t get as children. Either way, our real lives are unfolding in the here and now. This is a new holiday season altogether, and we can find joy in the fact that we can make it our own and let it be new. One key way to reinvigorate your holiday is to let go of feeling obligated to engage in rituals or situations that make you feel unhappy. It is easy to get lost in the trance of tradition and lose track of who you really are and what serves you as you are now. But there is a wonderful payoff if you take the time to touch base with what you really want and give it to yourself. When you take care of yourself, your capacity to give to others expands exponentially, and so does your innate joyfulness. The first step is taking time to sort through any baggage that’s nagging you. If sad memories present themselves, know that you are not alone. It is well-documented that many people suffer from depression at this time of year. The key is to face these feelings, hear them out, and fully process them so that you can be free again. Try giving yourself the space and time to consider what will be truly healing for you this year. Perhaps you’d rather go on vacation to a tropical island with friends than go back home to a dysfunctional family. Maybe you’d prefer not to exchange gifts. Maybe you want to change-up the traditional dinner fare and make something profoundly healthy or exotic. As you infuse this holiday with new energy, you will feel your blues lightening and your joyfulness steadily on the rise. Try to make this holiday season about who you are now, not what you were in the past. Enjoy.
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