Joyce M. Stacks's Blog: A Day In The Life of an Aspiring Author ....., page 12
December 18, 2013
R-E-S-P-E-C-T ..........
Monday afternoon I took Mom to one of her regular doctor’s appointments, and while I was held captive in the waiting room, I decided to enjoy some rare downtime by looking at the latest Architectural Digest …. being a designer, it is one of my all time favorites. However, much to my chagrin, the smallish flat screen television hoisted in a corner overhead kept bearing down on me like a less than pleased supervisor watching my current activity. My sub-conscious mind tried its best to ward off the invasion, but words of ridicule like liar, cheat and abomination managed to get the best of me.
I looked up to discover the train wreck that was broadcasting across the television waves was none other than Fox News ….. oh the humanity! If there are laws supporting truth in advertising, then there ought to be laws which uphold truth in reporting, or at least penalties for those who choose to manipulate and mold the truth to the point it is unrecognizable. It’s bad enough they claim to be a news organization versus a Right Wing commentary, but the poison and venom they spew is enough to make me seriously question the wisdom in Freedom of Speech. It’s true that freedom often comes at the expense of a high price, but should that cost have to include moral decency?
Those of us who have raised children began teaching them early on to respect their elders by saying things like “Yes Sir” and “No Sir” as well as “please and thank you”. What would we think of those same children if they were to approach any man or woman who held a respectable position and started calling them names and hurling insults designed to disgrace and humiliate? If it were on the school yard it would be called bullying, and there are substantial penalties for such behavior which can result in the expulsion from school.
It seems to me with the advent of technology and so many ways and manners to communicate without actually having to face someone has created a kind of false bravado enshrouded in anonymity. Whether it’s Twitter or Facebook or through the use of one’s personal email account, people have found it easy, sometimes even fun and desirable to turn themselves into attack dogs who feel duty bound to share their opinions on just about anything. I used to take such pride in being a Southerner, because there appeared to be a kind of gentility in our manners not always present in other regions of the country, but I’m finding more and more that kind of admirable behavior is being relegated to an ideal that only exists on the pages of books and novels once held so dear by the readers of Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner and Harper Lee. Would Atticus Finch, caught within the struggles of moral disobedience, dare to call his opponent a liar or a cheat? He never did, because he sought to teach by setting a good example, and thus his children were made better for it.
I don't know who any of these television personalities were on the screen, as none were familiar to me personally, but whether one agrees with their opinions or not the way their arguments were presented were nothing short of bad taste. I know I'm not the only individual who is tired of mean-spiritedness, but until a sufficient number of us stand together and say, "Enough!" We can be certain we will see more. If we are to expect honor amongst politicians, shouldn’t we at least ask the same of those who choose to report their movements?
Anyway, as I tried to ignore the audio insult by getting back to my magazine, I prayed for mom to be released from the exam room so that we could make a speedy exit when I was confronted by the reality that God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we might choose, but often they do none-the-less receive an answer as was evidenced by the fact the screen suddenly went blank except for a black bar which read in white letters NO SIGNAL. Ahhhhhh sweet relief allowed me to get back to the pages on Cindy Crawford and George Clooney’s shared Mexican villas on the Baha Peninsula ….. and with the newfound quiet I could almost hear the pounding of the waves against the surf.
I looked up to discover the train wreck that was broadcasting across the television waves was none other than Fox News ….. oh the humanity! If there are laws supporting truth in advertising, then there ought to be laws which uphold truth in reporting, or at least penalties for those who choose to manipulate and mold the truth to the point it is unrecognizable. It’s bad enough they claim to be a news organization versus a Right Wing commentary, but the poison and venom they spew is enough to make me seriously question the wisdom in Freedom of Speech. It’s true that freedom often comes at the expense of a high price, but should that cost have to include moral decency?
Those of us who have raised children began teaching them early on to respect their elders by saying things like “Yes Sir” and “No Sir” as well as “please and thank you”. What would we think of those same children if they were to approach any man or woman who held a respectable position and started calling them names and hurling insults designed to disgrace and humiliate? If it were on the school yard it would be called bullying, and there are substantial penalties for such behavior which can result in the expulsion from school.
It seems to me with the advent of technology and so many ways and manners to communicate without actually having to face someone has created a kind of false bravado enshrouded in anonymity. Whether it’s Twitter or Facebook or through the use of one’s personal email account, people have found it easy, sometimes even fun and desirable to turn themselves into attack dogs who feel duty bound to share their opinions on just about anything. I used to take such pride in being a Southerner, because there appeared to be a kind of gentility in our manners not always present in other regions of the country, but I’m finding more and more that kind of admirable behavior is being relegated to an ideal that only exists on the pages of books and novels once held so dear by the readers of Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner and Harper Lee. Would Atticus Finch, caught within the struggles of moral disobedience, dare to call his opponent a liar or a cheat? He never did, because he sought to teach by setting a good example, and thus his children were made better for it.
I don't know who any of these television personalities were on the screen, as none were familiar to me personally, but whether one agrees with their opinions or not the way their arguments were presented were nothing short of bad taste. I know I'm not the only individual who is tired of mean-spiritedness, but until a sufficient number of us stand together and say, "Enough!" We can be certain we will see more. If we are to expect honor amongst politicians, shouldn’t we at least ask the same of those who choose to report their movements?
Anyway, as I tried to ignore the audio insult by getting back to my magazine, I prayed for mom to be released from the exam room so that we could make a speedy exit when I was confronted by the reality that God doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way we might choose, but often they do none-the-less receive an answer as was evidenced by the fact the screen suddenly went blank except for a black bar which read in white letters NO SIGNAL. Ahhhhhh sweet relief allowed me to get back to the pages on Cindy Crawford and George Clooney’s shared Mexican villas on the Baha Peninsula ….. and with the newfound quiet I could almost hear the pounding of the waves against the surf.
December 17, 2013
The Ultimate Full Moon of 2013 ......
It is also named The Cold Moon, The Long Night Moon and The Moon Before Yule. It is the least and the smallest of the year, but it didn’t seem that way when I woke during the wee hours this morning. Unable to go back to sleep, I lay awake for a while as I endeavored to focus my eyesight when I noticed how light the room around me appeared …. almost as if it were daylight. I got up to stroll over to the French door where I might peer out at the night unobstructed and saw an almost indescribably beautiful scene. It was as if the world outside my door was blanketed in a thin, iridescent veil of other-worldly light, which served to highlight every single angle and curve, the depths and the shallows, as well as all hollows and fullness of the wooded terrain surrounding the house. Nothing was kept sacred or hidden, as everything was exposed to this brilliant, luminous show of bright white light.
I found myself so hypnotized by the beauty that I stood there for a long while as if unable to remove my eyes from a vision of heavenly proportions. Even after I’d managed to return to bed and grab a couple hours sleep, its illumination stayed with me throughout the course of my day, prompting me to do some research on this particular moon.
Astrologically it currently resides in the House of Gemini, which has a tendency to push and pull us in opposing directions, because Gemini is the sign of the twins. Often described as a Heart With Wings, she gracefully delivers a beautiful brilliance for anyone so inclined to indulge in her abundant radiance, but a word of caution is in order, because standing in her rays threatens to reveal the darkest shadows of secrets lurking within the sub-conscious, thus bringing that which has remained hidden out into the light for further inspection. Once there, suddenly as vulnerable as if standing in an unforgiving spotlight, it is still an excellent time to connect with your inner and outer beings through creative thinking and awareness, which can further expand into socializing and fact-finding adventures.
But we can also feel out-of-sorts during this particular full moon phase, which undoubtedly explains my inability to sleep, as well as occasionally finding myself at odds with others around me, but this is the celebration of the Winter Solstice …. a time when we’re encouraged to move toward a ‘path of enlightenment’ thereby increasing our confidence while letting go of old attachments that no longer serve our needs or continued growth. This is a time when we can find happiness in the act of simply being and through re-experiencing a path that leads to learning how to believe again. Each year as we enter this time of greatest darkness, we have the opportunity go into our own inner darkness in search of the Light of new life we were given at birth and translate that into the coming New Year.
Emerson once stated, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say,” and such was true of my luminary experience last night. Her display was so mesmerizing, I almost didn’t hear her obvious message …… you already have all the answers to your questions about life inside you, all that remains to be done is to bring them out into the light in order for you to find the clarity you seek.
Thus as I celebrate the Winter Solstice/Christmas, I am reminded of the promise of Light returning and Life reviving, as I am reminded once again I am and have always been a Child of Light.
I found myself so hypnotized by the beauty that I stood there for a long while as if unable to remove my eyes from a vision of heavenly proportions. Even after I’d managed to return to bed and grab a couple hours sleep, its illumination stayed with me throughout the course of my day, prompting me to do some research on this particular moon.
Astrologically it currently resides in the House of Gemini, which has a tendency to push and pull us in opposing directions, because Gemini is the sign of the twins. Often described as a Heart With Wings, she gracefully delivers a beautiful brilliance for anyone so inclined to indulge in her abundant radiance, but a word of caution is in order, because standing in her rays threatens to reveal the darkest shadows of secrets lurking within the sub-conscious, thus bringing that which has remained hidden out into the light for further inspection. Once there, suddenly as vulnerable as if standing in an unforgiving spotlight, it is still an excellent time to connect with your inner and outer beings through creative thinking and awareness, which can further expand into socializing and fact-finding adventures.
But we can also feel out-of-sorts during this particular full moon phase, which undoubtedly explains my inability to sleep, as well as occasionally finding myself at odds with others around me, but this is the celebration of the Winter Solstice …. a time when we’re encouraged to move toward a ‘path of enlightenment’ thereby increasing our confidence while letting go of old attachments that no longer serve our needs or continued growth. This is a time when we can find happiness in the act of simply being and through re-experiencing a path that leads to learning how to believe again. Each year as we enter this time of greatest darkness, we have the opportunity go into our own inner darkness in search of the Light of new life we were given at birth and translate that into the coming New Year.
Emerson once stated, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say,” and such was true of my luminary experience last night. Her display was so mesmerizing, I almost didn’t hear her obvious message …… you already have all the answers to your questions about life inside you, all that remains to be done is to bring them out into the light in order for you to find the clarity you seek.
Thus as I celebrate the Winter Solstice/Christmas, I am reminded of the promise of Light returning and Life reviving, as I am reminded once again I am and have always been a Child of Light.
December 15, 2013
Losing Control ........
according to the Talmud,………
God listens with great care to women’s cries,
for they instinctively try to solve their own problems themselves
and seek ‘outside help’
only in the worst of times.
In an effort to bring balance and peace back to my life, I’ve been spending some time going over some old research. Though Christian by choice and as such, a practicing Roman Catholic, I have always subscribed to a variety of disciplines when it comes to expanding my theological thought and reasoning. The obvious upside to this is it completely freaks out my family but guilty pleasures aside, I’ve always thought it a little obtuse to think Christians possess the one true path to divinity, because even within Christianity there exists so much diversity and dissention.
While most worship on Sunday, others such as Seventh Day Adventist hold Saturday as their Sabbath. Most of us are carnivorous, but Pentecost wouldn’t dare eat anything that bleeds. A good Catholic father wouldn’t think anything about occasionally imbibing, but a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness wouldn’t think of touching a drink. While I’ve taken communion from a female priest in my sister-in-law’s Episcopal church, us Catholics still hold up men as superior …. which probably bothers me far less than one might think. The point is when Christians can’t come together and agree on the fine points of good practice, then who are we to espouse we hold the only keys to salvation?
Consequently, I’ve read parts of the Talmud, Torah and Zohar because they predate Christ and Christianity and were such a great part of the foundation for beliefs that I adhere to today. In addition, I’m a big fan of Deepak Chopra and have read a number of his books. More than any Western theological sects, I tend to believe the Hindus and Buddhists have come closer than all others in terms of discovering the true essence of God and creation. Hence my strong beliefs in karma, reincarnation and a grand design some people like to call pre-destination. I also like their concept of connectedness wherein we are not just connected to our past and future, but to one another and the environment we live in. This has enabled me to have greater tolerance for the human condition, as well as a great love and respect for all living things.
Besides this, I’ve also done considerable research on early Egyptian and Ethiopian cultural beliefs, as well as the Greeks and Romans, and it’s interesting to discover just how many strongly held customs and practices were born long before any thought was given to the possibility of Jesus as the Messiah. It seems to me most organized religion was born not out of core beliefs about divinity and salvation so much as the politics of the time in order to accommodate the desires of the elite, which is why I must fold Eastern cultural beliefs and ancient Gnosticism into my Western Christianity to come up with something truly believable.
But unfortunately over the course of the last couple of years, I’ve managed to lose sight of the willingness to let go of myself to the point I stop trying to control every aspect of my life and those I want to pull close. I believe this is what has been at the heart of most of my struggles of late naturally resulting from the fact I am single and self-supporting with an occasional tendency toward panic attacks.
Therefore I’m working very hard to strip away all that false bravado that I might re-establish my core beliefs. A close friend of mine referred to this as getting in touch with my Chi and I liked that. I already have all of the necessary tools to do this. Following is small passage from my book "Going Through The Change" found within the chapter addressing Spirituality. It is what I’ve always believed and what I’m in the process of getting back to once again.
To bring spiritual light and energy into your life, you must first triumph over the perception of I believe and replace it with an awareness of I know. To simply believe carries with it the notion you could be encouraged or swayed to believe something else entirely given a good enough argument.
To know, on the other hand, empowers you to live your life without question. To know even on the worst of days and at the worst of times when, despite all your good efforts, and still nothing is going your way, there is a master plan in place, which has weighed out all the variables and sees the outcome far in the distance to your greater advantage. To know the Creator is in control of everything he owns, and he owns everything, is a freedom from fear and anxiety that we, as women, must always have all the answers. Once we understand the reason for everything in existence, we begin to learn how to bring balance into our daily lives.
I’m not presumptuous enough to think I have all the right answers, or even that I know the one true path to serenity and everlasting life. To be honest, I know there are many paths to God’s greatness. Whether you study Buddhism or Christianity, Hinduism or Judaism, whether you pray to God or Allah, read the Torah or the ancient Zohar, the one common thread and underlying truth in each is the existence of a higher being, the Creator, the giver of life and the center of all light in the universe.
Think of the enormous advantage of building a connection to your Creator! To know in this modern world of control freaks and master manipulators, you can happily relinquish your quest for power over to the One whose only motivation is your continued growth and spiritual well-being. To know through prayer and meditation, through developing your ability to share and enlighten others without regard for yourself, you will continue to evolve into the graceful gift He had planned from the start, and as a result, receive from life the essence of everything you have ever desired and more than you ever dared dream. Only by saying, no to what conventional wisdom has taught us, can we gain some semblance of control by knowing we are in control nothing. Then and only then have we honestly bridged the gap between what we believe and what we know.
God listens with great care to women’s cries,
for they instinctively try to solve their own problems themselves
and seek ‘outside help’
only in the worst of times.
In an effort to bring balance and peace back to my life, I’ve been spending some time going over some old research. Though Christian by choice and as such, a practicing Roman Catholic, I have always subscribed to a variety of disciplines when it comes to expanding my theological thought and reasoning. The obvious upside to this is it completely freaks out my family but guilty pleasures aside, I’ve always thought it a little obtuse to think Christians possess the one true path to divinity, because even within Christianity there exists so much diversity and dissention.
While most worship on Sunday, others such as Seventh Day Adventist hold Saturday as their Sabbath. Most of us are carnivorous, but Pentecost wouldn’t dare eat anything that bleeds. A good Catholic father wouldn’t think anything about occasionally imbibing, but a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness wouldn’t think of touching a drink. While I’ve taken communion from a female priest in my sister-in-law’s Episcopal church, us Catholics still hold up men as superior …. which probably bothers me far less than one might think. The point is when Christians can’t come together and agree on the fine points of good practice, then who are we to espouse we hold the only keys to salvation?
Consequently, I’ve read parts of the Talmud, Torah and Zohar because they predate Christ and Christianity and were such a great part of the foundation for beliefs that I adhere to today. In addition, I’m a big fan of Deepak Chopra and have read a number of his books. More than any Western theological sects, I tend to believe the Hindus and Buddhists have come closer than all others in terms of discovering the true essence of God and creation. Hence my strong beliefs in karma, reincarnation and a grand design some people like to call pre-destination. I also like their concept of connectedness wherein we are not just connected to our past and future, but to one another and the environment we live in. This has enabled me to have greater tolerance for the human condition, as well as a great love and respect for all living things.
Besides this, I’ve also done considerable research on early Egyptian and Ethiopian cultural beliefs, as well as the Greeks and Romans, and it’s interesting to discover just how many strongly held customs and practices were born long before any thought was given to the possibility of Jesus as the Messiah. It seems to me most organized religion was born not out of core beliefs about divinity and salvation so much as the politics of the time in order to accommodate the desires of the elite, which is why I must fold Eastern cultural beliefs and ancient Gnosticism into my Western Christianity to come up with something truly believable.
But unfortunately over the course of the last couple of years, I’ve managed to lose sight of the willingness to let go of myself to the point I stop trying to control every aspect of my life and those I want to pull close. I believe this is what has been at the heart of most of my struggles of late naturally resulting from the fact I am single and self-supporting with an occasional tendency toward panic attacks.
Therefore I’m working very hard to strip away all that false bravado that I might re-establish my core beliefs. A close friend of mine referred to this as getting in touch with my Chi and I liked that. I already have all of the necessary tools to do this. Following is small passage from my book "Going Through The Change" found within the chapter addressing Spirituality. It is what I’ve always believed and what I’m in the process of getting back to once again.
To bring spiritual light and energy into your life, you must first triumph over the perception of I believe and replace it with an awareness of I know. To simply believe carries with it the notion you could be encouraged or swayed to believe something else entirely given a good enough argument.
To know, on the other hand, empowers you to live your life without question. To know even on the worst of days and at the worst of times when, despite all your good efforts, and still nothing is going your way, there is a master plan in place, which has weighed out all the variables and sees the outcome far in the distance to your greater advantage. To know the Creator is in control of everything he owns, and he owns everything, is a freedom from fear and anxiety that we, as women, must always have all the answers. Once we understand the reason for everything in existence, we begin to learn how to bring balance into our daily lives.
I’m not presumptuous enough to think I have all the right answers, or even that I know the one true path to serenity and everlasting life. To be honest, I know there are many paths to God’s greatness. Whether you study Buddhism or Christianity, Hinduism or Judaism, whether you pray to God or Allah, read the Torah or the ancient Zohar, the one common thread and underlying truth in each is the existence of a higher being, the Creator, the giver of life and the center of all light in the universe.
Think of the enormous advantage of building a connection to your Creator! To know in this modern world of control freaks and master manipulators, you can happily relinquish your quest for power over to the One whose only motivation is your continued growth and spiritual well-being. To know through prayer and meditation, through developing your ability to share and enlighten others without regard for yourself, you will continue to evolve into the graceful gift He had planned from the start, and as a result, receive from life the essence of everything you have ever desired and more than you ever dared dream. Only by saying, no to what conventional wisdom has taught us, can we gain some semblance of control by knowing we are in control nothing. Then and only then have we honestly bridged the gap between what we believe and what we know.
December 12, 2013
"Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus ......"
We’ve all heard about and read the inquiry 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote to the editor of the New York Sun back in 1897 and the nothing short of eloquent response by newsman, Francis Pharcellus. There is a lot of talk about ‘political correctness’ these days ….. to the point it can be mind-boggling for an old-fashioned girl like myself, and for others – like my Facebook friend Brad – it inspires a little bit of rebellion in the form of the sentiment Merry Christmas, which makes me smile. If you are Christian and as such you choose to celebrate the season of Christmas, why shouldn’t you be able to express such a happy sentiment with the intention of spreading peace and good will? Shouldn’t that be a good thing? I personally take no offense whatsoever to my Jewish counterparts who say Happy Chanukah, as they are celebrating according to their faith, and I respect that.
America was founded for the sole purpose of freedom of expression, so why would anyone choose to stifle that privilege now? Don’t we risk sacrificing that which is so uniquely ourselves? I like to dream of an all-inclusive country where our differences are not only tolerated, but celebrated, because by doing so, we embody good Christian values. I long to live in a nation where the color of one’s skin is of no consequence, and the act of accepting another’s beliefs is the norm and not the exception. John Lennon had the audacity to imagine and so do I.
I choose to believe Francis Pharcellus was correct, and though unseen, Santa Claus does still continue to exists, whether that is at the North Pole or in the hearts and minds of those who have faith in a world capable of changing for the better. Therefore, why not extend our celebration from our churches and homes, to our places of business, in stores and malls where we trade, while waiting in impossibly long lines and when asking some overly tired retailer for assistance. Why not stop to let a car or two merge into traffic in front of you, and take the time to say thank you to everyone who shows you the slightest bit of kindness within the course of a busy day. All these things and so much more matter on a large scale, because it pays tribute to the very spirit that embodies Christmas.
I am reminded of the value of believing in Santa Claus each holiday as I prepare to celebrate the day with my grandchildren and their parents, and I wax nostalgic as I remember Christmases past when I was a child, as well as when my children were small. The very figure of Santa Claus is perfect in his reflection of the season of miracles, as he embodies everything we all need to hold fast in order to pay homage to a virgin birth that occurred over two thousand years ago. This Christmas eve, as countless children lay down their heads endeavoring for sleep to send the night into fast-forward, they will have visions of a sleigh speeding across the sky filled with enough toys to grace the world as it’s propelled from nation to nation by eight reindeer plus one and though we may not see him doesn’t mean he isn’t there, and by simply believing, they and we are gifted with His love.
America was founded for the sole purpose of freedom of expression, so why would anyone choose to stifle that privilege now? Don’t we risk sacrificing that which is so uniquely ourselves? I like to dream of an all-inclusive country where our differences are not only tolerated, but celebrated, because by doing so, we embody good Christian values. I long to live in a nation where the color of one’s skin is of no consequence, and the act of accepting another’s beliefs is the norm and not the exception. John Lennon had the audacity to imagine and so do I.
I choose to believe Francis Pharcellus was correct, and though unseen, Santa Claus does still continue to exists, whether that is at the North Pole or in the hearts and minds of those who have faith in a world capable of changing for the better. Therefore, why not extend our celebration from our churches and homes, to our places of business, in stores and malls where we trade, while waiting in impossibly long lines and when asking some overly tired retailer for assistance. Why not stop to let a car or two merge into traffic in front of you, and take the time to say thank you to everyone who shows you the slightest bit of kindness within the course of a busy day. All these things and so much more matter on a large scale, because it pays tribute to the very spirit that embodies Christmas.
I am reminded of the value of believing in Santa Claus each holiday as I prepare to celebrate the day with my grandchildren and their parents, and I wax nostalgic as I remember Christmases past when I was a child, as well as when my children were small. The very figure of Santa Claus is perfect in his reflection of the season of miracles, as he embodies everything we all need to hold fast in order to pay homage to a virgin birth that occurred over two thousand years ago. This Christmas eve, as countless children lay down their heads endeavoring for sleep to send the night into fast-forward, they will have visions of a sleigh speeding across the sky filled with enough toys to grace the world as it’s propelled from nation to nation by eight reindeer plus one and though we may not see him doesn’t mean he isn’t there, and by simply believing, they and we are gifted with His love.
December 11, 2013
So Today Is Your Birthday .........
Somebody very close to me had a birthday today, and tradition dictates that once one progresses well into their adulthood, less and less fanfare occurs around a birthday. As for me, I tend to spend time looking back over the course of the previous year in terms of my accomplishments, as well as regrets, and try to lay out a firm foundation for a more productive year to come.
Birthdays – like New Year’s Day – always represent new beginnings, because you have completed the revolution of one full astrological year and are about to embark upon the next. It is a time of introspection, to see how far you’ve come in terms of your life’s plan and then meditate on where it is you want to arrive. According to Kabalarian Philosophy, the meaning of your birthday defines your particular purpose in life. Therefore it is time to ponder your reason for existence.
When you think about it, life in and of itself is the very expression of the reason for being, and thus represents the intelligence inherent in all things. For example, just as the farmer plants a seed in soil and then nurtures it through its various stages until it eventually grows into its reason for being, so too everything and everyone has a purpose, a time and a season. As such, the question of each of our purposes can only be found by connecting to our authentic self, which then connects us to our inner purpose.
Consequently, whether you study your horoscope, theology or metaphysics, the time of your birth determines the quality of the power within you and reveals your life’s purpose or birth path. As such the purpose is indicated by the qualities to be developed through one’s thinking, the ideals to be accomplished and success to be made. Therefore, straying off that path will only bring chaos to one’s life, and if you have successfully avoided all the pitfalls some others have had to contend with, then you are undoubtedly following the path of your soul.
So the next time you question the "meaning of life" perhaps the answer is to look within as opposed to seeking fulfillment externally. If you are a faith based individual, then you know God has a specific plan for your life, therefore I believe it's never too late to try and figure out exactly what that is. In general, purpose can be found in the fact we are all here to learn, grow and share, and as a result we have all been bestowed with certain gifts. Consequently, the question each of us must ask ourselves is how am I sharing my gifts with others? During a season filled with giving, I can't think of a better time to try and answer that question.
Happy birthday Greg .....
Birthdays – like New Year’s Day – always represent new beginnings, because you have completed the revolution of one full astrological year and are about to embark upon the next. It is a time of introspection, to see how far you’ve come in terms of your life’s plan and then meditate on where it is you want to arrive. According to Kabalarian Philosophy, the meaning of your birthday defines your particular purpose in life. Therefore it is time to ponder your reason for existence.
When you think about it, life in and of itself is the very expression of the reason for being, and thus represents the intelligence inherent in all things. For example, just as the farmer plants a seed in soil and then nurtures it through its various stages until it eventually grows into its reason for being, so too everything and everyone has a purpose, a time and a season. As such, the question of each of our purposes can only be found by connecting to our authentic self, which then connects us to our inner purpose.
Consequently, whether you study your horoscope, theology or metaphysics, the time of your birth determines the quality of the power within you and reveals your life’s purpose or birth path. As such the purpose is indicated by the qualities to be developed through one’s thinking, the ideals to be accomplished and success to be made. Therefore, straying off that path will only bring chaos to one’s life, and if you have successfully avoided all the pitfalls some others have had to contend with, then you are undoubtedly following the path of your soul.
So the next time you question the "meaning of life" perhaps the answer is to look within as opposed to seeking fulfillment externally. If you are a faith based individual, then you know God has a specific plan for your life, therefore I believe it's never too late to try and figure out exactly what that is. In general, purpose can be found in the fact we are all here to learn, grow and share, and as a result we have all been bestowed with certain gifts. Consequently, the question each of us must ask ourselves is how am I sharing my gifts with others? During a season filled with giving, I can't think of a better time to try and answer that question.
Happy birthday Greg .....
December 10, 2013
I Have A Dream .......
After I woke this morning and while I was making my bed, I turned on the morning news as is typical to try and grasp the daily headlines prior to taking my shower. Much of the news was centered around the public memorial for Nelson Mandela currently taking place in a rain-soaked stadium in Soweto, South Africa. During the past few days, I've heard a great deal about this man I so admired with numerous comparisons being made to the likes of Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, and our own Dr. Martin Luther King. These truly unique individuals form an exclusive fraternity made up of the kind of character that can only be described as true grit, as they had the strength, patience, fortitude and perseverance to see their vision quests to a successful completion.
Dr. King coined the iconic phrase which best describes the ambitions that must have been held by each of them during their struggles. Although I have heard highlights of the "I Have A Dream" speech many times over the years, it never ceases to bring tears to my eyes, as once more I am reminded of the incredible weight of words when they are combined in such a manner as to convey such a powerful message.
Did you know the man who asked Dr. King for the copy of his speech afterwards and who still holds it in his possession today was interviewed this past anniversary of that monumental day and stated, “Nowhere on the handwritten copy of the 51 minute speech are the words I have a dream ….." I found that incredible seeing that these are the very words that have been used to identify this particular speech in the hearts and minds of a generation of people who, like Dr. King, shared his dream as well as their own.
All I can think is that as he peered out over the multitude that day, these were the words that struck a chord in his heart, and these were the words that resonated with all those in attendance who were there seeking inspiration to propel their civil rights movement forward. How courageous they must have all been to seek to change the warring tides of humanity through peaceful demonstration …. to choose to lead by example in the face of such hatred and prejudice. That was truly a profile in courage and one deserving of commemoration.
I think everybody must have dreams ….. though some dream bigger than others. My dream – though seemingly so simple – has been so difficult to achieve. I want to experience great love, and in so doing, live together with my partner in a traditional and loving household. Through our example, I want to show others that true love is still possible, and only through love can one begin to elevate the consciousness of the world around them.
Though the example of my life will never quite measure up to those whose lives and causes fill the pages of our history books, it does have value. Movies, television and books all tend to paint true love as something that occurs to us when we're young; however, I am a living testament to the fact it is still possible even after the age of fifty, and perhaps having suffered more than a few of the hard knocks that can occur over the course of a lifetime, I appreciate it even more, because I know I am fortunate. Many women like to say, "You don't need a man to be happy," and I suppose that's true, but having a loving and supportive partner adds beauty and texture to living where none previously existed.
I suppose in the end all I'm really trying to say is whether your dream is like mine or more worldly and humanitarian in nature, to embrace it to the point you can't bear to let it go, because only through believing can all things become possible.
Dr. King coined the iconic phrase which best describes the ambitions that must have been held by each of them during their struggles. Although I have heard highlights of the "I Have A Dream" speech many times over the years, it never ceases to bring tears to my eyes, as once more I am reminded of the incredible weight of words when they are combined in such a manner as to convey such a powerful message.
Did you know the man who asked Dr. King for the copy of his speech afterwards and who still holds it in his possession today was interviewed this past anniversary of that monumental day and stated, “Nowhere on the handwritten copy of the 51 minute speech are the words I have a dream ….." I found that incredible seeing that these are the very words that have been used to identify this particular speech in the hearts and minds of a generation of people who, like Dr. King, shared his dream as well as their own.
All I can think is that as he peered out over the multitude that day, these were the words that struck a chord in his heart, and these were the words that resonated with all those in attendance who were there seeking inspiration to propel their civil rights movement forward. How courageous they must have all been to seek to change the warring tides of humanity through peaceful demonstration …. to choose to lead by example in the face of such hatred and prejudice. That was truly a profile in courage and one deserving of commemoration.
I think everybody must have dreams ….. though some dream bigger than others. My dream – though seemingly so simple – has been so difficult to achieve. I want to experience great love, and in so doing, live together with my partner in a traditional and loving household. Through our example, I want to show others that true love is still possible, and only through love can one begin to elevate the consciousness of the world around them.
Though the example of my life will never quite measure up to those whose lives and causes fill the pages of our history books, it does have value. Movies, television and books all tend to paint true love as something that occurs to us when we're young; however, I am a living testament to the fact it is still possible even after the age of fifty, and perhaps having suffered more than a few of the hard knocks that can occur over the course of a lifetime, I appreciate it even more, because I know I am fortunate. Many women like to say, "You don't need a man to be happy," and I suppose that's true, but having a loving and supportive partner adds beauty and texture to living where none previously existed.
I suppose in the end all I'm really trying to say is whether your dream is like mine or more worldly and humanitarian in nature, to embrace it to the point you can't bear to let it go, because only through believing can all things become possible.
December 9, 2013
On Being Different .......
I have a wonderful grandson named Hunter. He is autistic/high functioning. He is such a beautiful child who benefited from the best of both his mother and father’s genes. For the first three going into four years of his life, he seemed so completely normal … even though I hate that word.
Then he began to change …. mainly in terms of eye contact and the fact that he seemed to be retreating more and more into a world of his own making. Oftentimes when you tried to make conversation, you had to call his name often and with purpose to get his attention, and his focus always seemed to be elsewhere. Over the years, with many therapies, continued coaching and even some light medication, he has dramatically improved, but he will always be uniquely himself.
In the beginning, everyone but my daughter, Jennifer, and myself seemed to be in denial of his diagnosis …. after all, he looked so normal. But despite popular opinion, we subscribed to the ideology that ignorance is never bliss and knowledge is power so we sought help to give Hunter everything he needed to grow and mature into a productive young man. Christmas before last, after seeing a segment on 60 Minutes about how well autistics were interacting with I-pads, I got Hunter one, and it has been an amazing learning tool for him. He’s learned how to use Google and YouTube and he reads and researches a myriad of topics at all times. When he gets pumped about a particular subject, he will talk your ears off. His latest craze is the history of world disasters ….. such as The Hindenburg, the collapse of the Twin Towers on 911 and the various doomed ships from Titanic to the Lusitania.
I might add here that Hunter has been adept at technology from a very young age. When he was only three I could go to a website he was interested in and he could navigate the mouse, click on subjects and send it to the printer. If I were absorbed in something else and didn't pay particular attention, he might have 60 pages printed before I put him on notice.
After seeing the movie Titanic, he became completely obsessed with the story, so Jennifer and I took a trip up to Branson with the kids last holiday season where they have a really wonderful Titanic museum. He was a kid in candy land and could have stayed there twice as long as we did, but his little sister could only be entertained for so long. Isabella, on the other hand, sat on at least six Santa Clause’s laps during our retreat, repeating her rehearsed list verbatim. She’s more like me …. it never hurts to hedge your bets.
Anyway, I think all of my grandchildren are perfect just the way they are, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It doesn’t mean I don’t pray for strides to be made in discovering the causes and treatment of autism, but in the meantime, I prefer not to see Hunter as handicapped as much as I see him as different and different is not always a bad thing. In fact, we tend to learn the most about ourselves when we are forced to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
Then he began to change …. mainly in terms of eye contact and the fact that he seemed to be retreating more and more into a world of his own making. Oftentimes when you tried to make conversation, you had to call his name often and with purpose to get his attention, and his focus always seemed to be elsewhere. Over the years, with many therapies, continued coaching and even some light medication, he has dramatically improved, but he will always be uniquely himself.
In the beginning, everyone but my daughter, Jennifer, and myself seemed to be in denial of his diagnosis …. after all, he looked so normal. But despite popular opinion, we subscribed to the ideology that ignorance is never bliss and knowledge is power so we sought help to give Hunter everything he needed to grow and mature into a productive young man. Christmas before last, after seeing a segment on 60 Minutes about how well autistics were interacting with I-pads, I got Hunter one, and it has been an amazing learning tool for him. He’s learned how to use Google and YouTube and he reads and researches a myriad of topics at all times. When he gets pumped about a particular subject, he will talk your ears off. His latest craze is the history of world disasters ….. such as The Hindenburg, the collapse of the Twin Towers on 911 and the various doomed ships from Titanic to the Lusitania.
I might add here that Hunter has been adept at technology from a very young age. When he was only three I could go to a website he was interested in and he could navigate the mouse, click on subjects and send it to the printer. If I were absorbed in something else and didn't pay particular attention, he might have 60 pages printed before I put him on notice.
After seeing the movie Titanic, he became completely obsessed with the story, so Jennifer and I took a trip up to Branson with the kids last holiday season where they have a really wonderful Titanic museum. He was a kid in candy land and could have stayed there twice as long as we did, but his little sister could only be entertained for so long. Isabella, on the other hand, sat on at least six Santa Clause’s laps during our retreat, repeating her rehearsed list verbatim. She’s more like me …. it never hurts to hedge your bets.
Anyway, I think all of my grandchildren are perfect just the way they are, and I wouldn’t change a thing. It doesn’t mean I don’t pray for strides to be made in discovering the causes and treatment of autism, but in the meantime, I prefer not to see Hunter as handicapped as much as I see him as different and different is not always a bad thing. In fact, we tend to learn the most about ourselves when we are forced to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
December 8, 2013
What Do the ERA, Jane Fonda, Martha Stewart and "Sex and the City" All Have In Common???
In an effort to do some of my own karma clean-up this year, I have decided to make a concerted effort to give of myself and my time freely whenever I come across one who may be in need of my help. Some months ago, I was truly moved by a sincere appeal I read by author, Rick Bragg, in one of his southern journal entries, titled "Elements of Groveling" in "Southern Living" magazine. It ended with an appeal for assistance in developing this fine-tuned – however under-valued – emotional display. But in order for me to do so, I decided a certain lesson was in order .... a brief primer on how we women came to be who we are today, for in education, so shall one find understanding.
For me - now being in my fifties - it all started with the passage of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment). Gone were the days of "Donna Reed" and "Father Knows Best". Women were educating themselves and entering the workforce in record numbers, and as such, we wanted “equal pay for an equal job”. The concept seems simple enough, but it didn’t stop there, as we were still charged with bearing and raising the children, while continuing to maintain the household. Then came along Jane Fonda and aerobics. Further adding to our list of responsibilities, we must now maintain peak physical condition, as well as develop a career path, raise children and take care of the home.
Just about the time I started catching my breath and thinking to myself, “I got this,” enters "Martha Stewart Living". Now I will never be one to knock Martha … quite to the contrary. In my household, she is the stuff of legends, an ideal in to aspire to and whether it be design, cooking, entertaining or gardening, the birth of so many dreams and fantasies on my part, but she set the bar so high! Never mind the fact the lifestyle she created so successfully on screen was done so with meticulous direction, a full staff and the ability to do “retakes”. Now add culinary arts, gardening, entertaining and crafts to an already long roster of what it takes to live the dream.
Finally I think I’ve folded all the necessary facets of today’s woman into my ever floundering persona when, "Sex and the City" burst onto the television scene, once again serving to redefine what it means to be a happy and fulfilled woman. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda not only entertained us in one hour spans of time on a weekly basis, they – like Calgon once had in the Jacuzzi – took us away, and taught us what it must be like to achieve the highest levels of friendship with our own gender, sexual fulfillment, successful careers and ideal partners, all while mastering the art of becoming our own fashion icons. High heels got impossibly high, even dangerously tall, and so did our growing list of requirements. Tammy Wynette wasn’t kidding when she twanged, “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman.”
Then last, but certainly not least, came advancements in cosmetic surgery, all at a reasonable cost I might add, encouraging, albeit almost demanding we strive to be forever young. Yes botox, fillers, liquid facelifts and lasers are the ever-evolving, new technology forging its frontier on women’s faces everywhere from Hollywood to small towns like my own, leaving all of us to wonder with so many frozen expressions, can anyone really know what anyone else is thinking anymore?
There is no doubt the list of pressures and demands women place upon themselves all in the name of perfection, will continue to define and redefine itself as time passes, leaving the men who love them to wonder what makes us tick? What makes us happy? And what did I do wrong? When all you guys should really understand is we are – for the most part – tired. We strive to be all things to all people at all times, while still longing to be true to ourselves. Often times we are not living in the moment, because we don’t feel as though we have that luxury. Our minds are constantly scheduling, assessing, multi-tasking and planning for weeks in advance, all while picking the kids up from school, dropping by the supermarket on our way home from work, and talking with clients while preparing the evening dinner and answering questions about homework.
Therefore, when we look at you in bewilderment when you do something absent-minded, it is secretly because we are a little jealous, remembering back to a time before we wanted to be treated more like men, when we once held the world in the palm of our precious little hands, not as modern and perfected women, but as ladies, true southern belles, already privileged by birthright.
So as to the question of groveling … start by giving her what she needs the most, namely TIME for herself to spend on herself, perhaps a day at the spa, lunch with friends, a shopping spree or some combination. Then when she makes it home feeling relaxed and revitalized, meet her with a glass of her favorite wine or cocktail, then give her an example of your own special gift, a well-crafted, hand-written note expressing your deep appreciation for all she does to make your lives come together so seamlessly, almost perfect. Then the next time you lose a one-on-one confrontation of wits with the family dog, or find it necessary to sacrifice yet another smoke alarm, perhaps you will see her once again shake her head and think of you fondly, the same way she did when you first began.
For me - now being in my fifties - it all started with the passage of the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment). Gone were the days of "Donna Reed" and "Father Knows Best". Women were educating themselves and entering the workforce in record numbers, and as such, we wanted “equal pay for an equal job”. The concept seems simple enough, but it didn’t stop there, as we were still charged with bearing and raising the children, while continuing to maintain the household. Then came along Jane Fonda and aerobics. Further adding to our list of responsibilities, we must now maintain peak physical condition, as well as develop a career path, raise children and take care of the home.
Just about the time I started catching my breath and thinking to myself, “I got this,” enters "Martha Stewart Living". Now I will never be one to knock Martha … quite to the contrary. In my household, she is the stuff of legends, an ideal in to aspire to and whether it be design, cooking, entertaining or gardening, the birth of so many dreams and fantasies on my part, but she set the bar so high! Never mind the fact the lifestyle she created so successfully on screen was done so with meticulous direction, a full staff and the ability to do “retakes”. Now add culinary arts, gardening, entertaining and crafts to an already long roster of what it takes to live the dream.
Finally I think I’ve folded all the necessary facets of today’s woman into my ever floundering persona when, "Sex and the City" burst onto the television scene, once again serving to redefine what it means to be a happy and fulfilled woman. Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda not only entertained us in one hour spans of time on a weekly basis, they – like Calgon once had in the Jacuzzi – took us away, and taught us what it must be like to achieve the highest levels of friendship with our own gender, sexual fulfillment, successful careers and ideal partners, all while mastering the art of becoming our own fashion icons. High heels got impossibly high, even dangerously tall, and so did our growing list of requirements. Tammy Wynette wasn’t kidding when she twanged, “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman.”
Then last, but certainly not least, came advancements in cosmetic surgery, all at a reasonable cost I might add, encouraging, albeit almost demanding we strive to be forever young. Yes botox, fillers, liquid facelifts and lasers are the ever-evolving, new technology forging its frontier on women’s faces everywhere from Hollywood to small towns like my own, leaving all of us to wonder with so many frozen expressions, can anyone really know what anyone else is thinking anymore?
There is no doubt the list of pressures and demands women place upon themselves all in the name of perfection, will continue to define and redefine itself as time passes, leaving the men who love them to wonder what makes us tick? What makes us happy? And what did I do wrong? When all you guys should really understand is we are – for the most part – tired. We strive to be all things to all people at all times, while still longing to be true to ourselves. Often times we are not living in the moment, because we don’t feel as though we have that luxury. Our minds are constantly scheduling, assessing, multi-tasking and planning for weeks in advance, all while picking the kids up from school, dropping by the supermarket on our way home from work, and talking with clients while preparing the evening dinner and answering questions about homework.
Therefore, when we look at you in bewilderment when you do something absent-minded, it is secretly because we are a little jealous, remembering back to a time before we wanted to be treated more like men, when we once held the world in the palm of our precious little hands, not as modern and perfected women, but as ladies, true southern belles, already privileged by birthright.
So as to the question of groveling … start by giving her what she needs the most, namely TIME for herself to spend on herself, perhaps a day at the spa, lunch with friends, a shopping spree or some combination. Then when she makes it home feeling relaxed and revitalized, meet her with a glass of her favorite wine or cocktail, then give her an example of your own special gift, a well-crafted, hand-written note expressing your deep appreciation for all she does to make your lives come together so seamlessly, almost perfect. Then the next time you lose a one-on-one confrontation of wits with the family dog, or find it necessary to sacrifice yet another smoke alarm, perhaps you will see her once again shake her head and think of you fondly, the same way she did when you first began.
December 7, 2013
Today .........
Have you ever had one of those days …. where nothing in particular is wrong, but then again nothing seems particularly right either? The fact is, I have many blessings and reasons to feel gratitude, so even on an off day, I try never to lose sight of this fact.
Today ….. I have a loving and supportive family whom I adore and they are all healthy and well, I have a man in my life who takes my breath away while continuing to exceed all dreams and expectations, I have a warm safe place to call home, a handful of friends I can rely upon, my health, my mind and my creativity ….. I guess that’s about it. This should be enough for anyone right? Then why on days like today does it feel like it’s not?
For me today has definitely been one of those days ….. I actually started out with a good hair day, rockin the natural curls and feeling rather sassy, but winter weather being what it is, as the day worn on my hair got bigger and bigger until I resorted to corralling it into a clip ….ugh! This morning when it was time to get dressed to leave the house, I suddenly hated everything I owned, but then it’s been awhile since I treated myself to new. Out shopping I’m surrounded by beautiful new things, but often times the quality is not good and that really doesn’t appeal to me. Then I get dressed, and I realize just how short I am. What am I supposed to do with that? I could walk around in these 8” stacked wedges that women are sporting these days, but they all look as if they’re walking on stilts. Everything’s out of proportion and they look more like they’re creeping along instead of walking a feminine walk. I prefer a reasonable heel where I can perfect my stride as opposed to defensive walking where I’m just hoping not to break my neck. Then I look closely in the mirror and decide I need botox … at least around the eyes and fillers at the corners of my mouth …. just small touch-ups that make the world of difference. With my tragic past year, those maintenance type things just didn’t happen. It’s only been in the last six months that I’ve had my hair professionally done, and more or less the same amount of time since having my nails professionally manicured after laying off for seven months ….. baby steps to recovery. I’d like to lose about ten more pounds, but at least I’m working out now and moving in the right direction. Problem is some days I just feel as if I’ve lost my mojo. I suppose that must sound silly to most people.
I know what the problem is, as it came up in my tarot reading the other day. My life is in a state of flux, which is never comfortable. I’m sitting on a Wheel of Fortune, watching it spin on its axis while waiting for it to land, and once again the Universe is calling upon ‘me’ to be patient, to restrict negative tendencies while continuing to wait for the outcome. Of course this goes against my natural grain, but if it didn’t I suppose there would be no lessons to be learned.
Today is one of those days when others less fortunate might look at me and say, “If this is all you’ve got to worry about, you need to get a life.”
To which I might respond, “If I knew where the fuck to pick one up, I would.” At least that’s what I’d say in my mind :)....
Hormones raging much???
The truth is, I have much to be worried about, but the simple act of worrying in and of itself accomplishes nothing. So why go there today? When I’m feeling this ‘out of sorts’ I’d have difficulty finding any real solutions anyway.
In my heart and mind, I honestly feel there are great and wonderful things lurking on my horizon, but to date they remain out of reach until the time is right. I know I should be alright with that, but following such a dismal year, I’m really needing something wonderful. Despite everything I do have a few ideas percolating …… a short ‘to do’ list that I honestly believe will generate some good opportunities. I’m just waiting on the right time and that is not today.
Today ….. I have a loving and supportive family whom I adore and they are all healthy and well, I have a man in my life who takes my breath away while continuing to exceed all dreams and expectations, I have a warm safe place to call home, a handful of friends I can rely upon, my health, my mind and my creativity ….. I guess that’s about it. This should be enough for anyone right? Then why on days like today does it feel like it’s not?
For me today has definitely been one of those days ….. I actually started out with a good hair day, rockin the natural curls and feeling rather sassy, but winter weather being what it is, as the day worn on my hair got bigger and bigger until I resorted to corralling it into a clip ….ugh! This morning when it was time to get dressed to leave the house, I suddenly hated everything I owned, but then it’s been awhile since I treated myself to new. Out shopping I’m surrounded by beautiful new things, but often times the quality is not good and that really doesn’t appeal to me. Then I get dressed, and I realize just how short I am. What am I supposed to do with that? I could walk around in these 8” stacked wedges that women are sporting these days, but they all look as if they’re walking on stilts. Everything’s out of proportion and they look more like they’re creeping along instead of walking a feminine walk. I prefer a reasonable heel where I can perfect my stride as opposed to defensive walking where I’m just hoping not to break my neck. Then I look closely in the mirror and decide I need botox … at least around the eyes and fillers at the corners of my mouth …. just small touch-ups that make the world of difference. With my tragic past year, those maintenance type things just didn’t happen. It’s only been in the last six months that I’ve had my hair professionally done, and more or less the same amount of time since having my nails professionally manicured after laying off for seven months ….. baby steps to recovery. I’d like to lose about ten more pounds, but at least I’m working out now and moving in the right direction. Problem is some days I just feel as if I’ve lost my mojo. I suppose that must sound silly to most people.
I know what the problem is, as it came up in my tarot reading the other day. My life is in a state of flux, which is never comfortable. I’m sitting on a Wheel of Fortune, watching it spin on its axis while waiting for it to land, and once again the Universe is calling upon ‘me’ to be patient, to restrict negative tendencies while continuing to wait for the outcome. Of course this goes against my natural grain, but if it didn’t I suppose there would be no lessons to be learned.
Today is one of those days when others less fortunate might look at me and say, “If this is all you’ve got to worry about, you need to get a life.”
To which I might respond, “If I knew where the fuck to pick one up, I would.” At least that’s what I’d say in my mind :)....
Hormones raging much???
The truth is, I have much to be worried about, but the simple act of worrying in and of itself accomplishes nothing. So why go there today? When I’m feeling this ‘out of sorts’ I’d have difficulty finding any real solutions anyway.
In my heart and mind, I honestly feel there are great and wonderful things lurking on my horizon, but to date they remain out of reach until the time is right. I know I should be alright with that, but following such a dismal year, I’m really needing something wonderful. Despite everything I do have a few ideas percolating …… a short ‘to do’ list that I honestly believe will generate some good opportunities. I’m just waiting on the right time and that is not today.
December 6, 2013
The Winter of My Discontent ......
Despite the date on the calendar, it is vastly apparent we have changed seasons as the autumn leaves have fallen, and a good deal of them either bagged or blown away by now. With temperatures dropping well below freezing, due to be in the teens by the weekend, winter’s mantle has decided to grace this holiday season earlier than usual. I am grateful we haven’t accumulated as much ice as was anticipated …. at least not yet, and thankfully my power is still on. I do pray that those doing without are managing okay and that light will return to their lives very soon. A mixture of sleet and freezing rain managed to slow my usual frenetic pace, but I am near exhaustion from almost a week’s worth of winter preparedness. Times like these make me wonder why I adore those post card images of snow laden winter wonderlands when I find nothing particularly wonderful about winter weather. It is cold and constricting, imposing limitations I’d just as soon not have to confront.
So then, what am I to make of this imposed holiday? I suppose since my physical movements are limited, perhaps it is best to expand my consciousness by focusing on inner space. After finding out about the near death experience of someone who was once very close to me late yesterday afternoon, I am forced into introspection. Up to this point I had been so proud of myself for having accomplished all I had in the name of this particular holiday season …. I’ve put up a total of three trees, draped yards of garland, carefully fluffed and put up wreaths, and managed to almost finish my shopping, save just a couple of items I can easily pick up this coming week. I’ve almost figured out all the entertaining and social engagements, save one conflict I still haven’t managed to address, and as I sit here watching the clock quickly advance toward December 25th I have to ask myself what does any of this have to do with the real meaning of Christmas?
The retail push has literally been in my face since mid-October circulating timed-release doses of serotonin throughout my psyche while simultaneously timing my movements with the precision of an invisible stop-watch as if to say you’re running out of time. Who can blame the retailers? Their bottom line can either be made or broken during this final season push, and that of course translates into jobs either being created or lost, not to mention the overall strength and viability of our economy as a whole, but I digress …..
When the matter of one’s life or death is calculated down to our final seconds, will any of this really matter? I’d like to think when I go to meet my maker that it will be a happy journey, but have I done enough? I suppose the real question might be how does one keep the faith in a commercially driven war zone? Declaring your faith and attending regular church service helps to keep me focused, but even that can become second nature after a long while ….. to the point a mind can wander during the service thinking about all that needs to be done, and by the time church lets out, I can’t even recall the message embedded within the sermon.
Perhaps the best way to honor the birth of Jesus is by trying to walk in his footsteps and observing the principles he tried to teach us during his three years of public ministry. When asked what one must do to enter the kingdom of heaven, Jesus responded, “If you love me, you must keep my commandments.” And when asked which was the great commandment in the law, he responded, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
Therefore in the name of trying to observe all that is most important about this or any other holiday season, I intend to talk more to God ….. not just when I can make quiet time to pray, but all the time, whether in the shower, or driving across town or while sitting across from my computer screen, I’m making a firm commitment to get to know my God better and relate to Him as if He were my closest friend and companion. And in addition, I will show love and compassion to my fellow man this season in a way that would make my lord and savior proud. Then and only then will I have truly observed the reason for the season.
So then, what am I to make of this imposed holiday? I suppose since my physical movements are limited, perhaps it is best to expand my consciousness by focusing on inner space. After finding out about the near death experience of someone who was once very close to me late yesterday afternoon, I am forced into introspection. Up to this point I had been so proud of myself for having accomplished all I had in the name of this particular holiday season …. I’ve put up a total of three trees, draped yards of garland, carefully fluffed and put up wreaths, and managed to almost finish my shopping, save just a couple of items I can easily pick up this coming week. I’ve almost figured out all the entertaining and social engagements, save one conflict I still haven’t managed to address, and as I sit here watching the clock quickly advance toward December 25th I have to ask myself what does any of this have to do with the real meaning of Christmas?
The retail push has literally been in my face since mid-October circulating timed-release doses of serotonin throughout my psyche while simultaneously timing my movements with the precision of an invisible stop-watch as if to say you’re running out of time. Who can blame the retailers? Their bottom line can either be made or broken during this final season push, and that of course translates into jobs either being created or lost, not to mention the overall strength and viability of our economy as a whole, but I digress …..
When the matter of one’s life or death is calculated down to our final seconds, will any of this really matter? I’d like to think when I go to meet my maker that it will be a happy journey, but have I done enough? I suppose the real question might be how does one keep the faith in a commercially driven war zone? Declaring your faith and attending regular church service helps to keep me focused, but even that can become second nature after a long while ….. to the point a mind can wander during the service thinking about all that needs to be done, and by the time church lets out, I can’t even recall the message embedded within the sermon.
Perhaps the best way to honor the birth of Jesus is by trying to walk in his footsteps and observing the principles he tried to teach us during his three years of public ministry. When asked what one must do to enter the kingdom of heaven, Jesus responded, “If you love me, you must keep my commandments.” And when asked which was the great commandment in the law, he responded, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like it, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:35-40)
Therefore in the name of trying to observe all that is most important about this or any other holiday season, I intend to talk more to God ….. not just when I can make quiet time to pray, but all the time, whether in the shower, or driving across town or while sitting across from my computer screen, I’m making a firm commitment to get to know my God better and relate to Him as if He were my closest friend and companion. And in addition, I will show love and compassion to my fellow man this season in a way that would make my lord and savior proud. Then and only then will I have truly observed the reason for the season.
A Day In The Life of an Aspiring Author .....
I could talk about my work. In fact I'm more than happy to discuss topics related to my writing as it is my passion. Therefore, if you have a question or comment I beg you to put it forth and you will
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