FIND A CAUSE AND SPEAK OUT or JUST SPREAD KINDNESS

I DARE YOU!

I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU!

I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!

“Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie—

But rather mourn the apathetic throng—

The cowed and the meek—

Who see the world’s great anguish and it’s wrong

And dare not speak.

~~Ralph Chaplin

Solidarity Forever

Just a thought—apathy seems to be running rampant in our world.  The only thing that seems to bring humanity together is a tragedy.  Then we work together to fix the damage or correct the wrong.  But, what are we doing on those quiet days, when the tornado has not destroyed the town; the bombs have not killed people; the planes have not crashed into the buildings?

Do we have a passion to which we commit?  Do we go out and make a difference? It does not have to be a huge difference—just a simple hello, a smile, a wave, a phone call, or an email.  A response given to those in need or that have reached out to you. 

I beg you to reach out—because everyone is fighting some sort of battle.  Suffering happens to all of us.  What makes the difference in people’s lives is our reaction to their pain. 

How will you react today?  Whose life will you touch?

I hope someone’s.

“LIFE IS SHORT”

'The journey through life is not supposed to be easy; it is supposed to be real.'

Before I begin on the topic about which I have chosen to write, I would like to make one statement.  As I have stated on my ‘mantra’ page, I am Christian.  However, I believe that we can learn many things from other philosophies and other religions.  Life is a journey. Why not be open to all inspirational things that can help us walk on our path with less difficulty, less stress, less negativity, less judgments and NO labels?  I strive to be real, because to pretend is unkind, not only to yourself but to all people you encounter.  To feign, in my opinion is the worst emotional injustice you can inflict on others.  Well, with all that said, here is my post.

THIS IS IN MEMORY OF A FALLEN SOLDIER.  I WENT TO SCHOOL WITH HIS MOTHER.  FOR PRIVACY REASONS I WILL NOT REVEAL ANY NAMES.  BUT, HE DIED AT THE TENDER AGE OF TWENTY SIX.  THIS QUOTE WAS ON THE BACK OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE LEAFLET. 

“Life is Short”

Four Mind Changes:

A reminder of the reality of Karma.

Please reflect on the following:

“  I.   I have been blessed with a life in which I can do many things to further my own happiness and the happiness of those around me.  It would be a shame to waste this wondrous opportunity by engaging in useless and meaningless activities; it would be a pity to waste this life by not fulfilling one’s spiritual potential.

 II.  Life is short:  There’s no time to waste.  Reflecting upon death is not meant to be a morbid practice.  In fact, it can have the opposite effect; it can help ground us in the here and now and make us appreciate the wonderful miracle of life each moment as it’s given to us now.

III.  The journey through life isn’t supposed to be easy; it’s supposed to be real.  Regularly contemplating the travails of our journey helps us to stay realistic about what life is and is not.  Do not be depressed by these thoughts.  Instead, recognize the joys that can be found by staying grounded and real.  Every dip and rise, every twist and turn is part of the infinite journey; why turn aside from any of it.

IV.  Our Karma is the one thing we carry with us always.  Thinking about your karma helps you face the truth about your own experience, it helps you make changes when necessary.  Do not think about changing anybody else’s behavior—just your own.  What can you do today to change the way you feel tomorrow?”  

---Lama Surya Das

When I first read this, I was at a loss for words.  My thoughts were about the parents and how to cope with the death of a child; for truly, it is not the norm for a child to leave this world first.  But, it does happen.  However, this young man’s memorial service was not focused on the living, not selfishly created for those left behind.  It was a celebration of his life.  It was facing the reality that our time on this earth is limited and uncertain.  Even through the death of a child, we live on and must create a new path for ourselves; a path that no longer includes a part of our being—a creation and gift from God, Creator, Higher Power, Source or any other word of your choice—our child.

If you read my blog, you will know that my daughter has been estranged from us for a while now…HER CHOICE not mine.  It has felt similar to a ‘death’.  This is her path, her karma.  Finally, I have decided that I can no longer be depressed by her actions.  While, it still hurts very much, I have to move on with my life.  I can no longer be stagnant.  The only growth while being stagnant is algae.  If you were to define algae it means any group of lower plants having chlorophyll but not a vascular system.  So what does this mean?  The etymology of vascular is Latin vascularis, from Latin vasculum small vessel, diminutive of vas vase, vessel.  In reference to our human body, vascular is all about the heart, the blood, the flow of life.  I can no longer allow my heart to not beat.  I can no longer live outside of life.  I need to fill my vessel with life giving force.  I need to flow like a river. I must create a new path with every current that ‘twists and turns’ and changes the boundaries of its banks —my life. 

This is life.  I have to live.  I cannot change her behavior, but I can change my own.  So, today I am going to pray that I can do something to change the way I feel tomorrow.

The Man in the Glass by Peter "Dale" Wimbrow (C) 1934

The man or woman in the glass...



What is your reflection?

The Man in the Glass by Peter “Dale” Wimbrow © 1934

I was rummaging around in one of my many collections of ‘stuff’ and came across this poem.  I thought it was worth sharing.  I did not realize back in 1989 when I found this poem, that there were two versions.  Either one is wonderful.  The original version, "The Guy in the Glass" can be viewed at the link above, just click on the title.  The only difference is a few words…the first being ‘pelf’ instead of ‘self’.  Pelf means money or riches.  I found this to be very interesting.  To compare the ‘self’ to ‘pelf’…indeed the ‘self’ can either be poor or rich, depending on how we choose to live our lives.  This is just a thought to stir your imagination.

The Man in the Glass

When you get what you want in your struggle for self

And the world makes you king for a day,

Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,

And see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or wife,

Who judgment upon you must pass;

The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life

Is the one staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.

For he's with you clear up to the end,

And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test

If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.

And get pats on the back as you pass,

But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears

If you've cheated the man in the glass.





Today is the first day of the rest of my life...

Well is not that just a wonderful thought!!!! (sarcasm duly noted)

Chaos at Orion...NASA PHOTO

 Chaos in my mind!  If only it were that beautiful!

Anyway, I joined an online book club.  Okay, so it is online.  However it is still contact with the 'outer world'.  We are reading a book titled "The Help".  Within the first few pages something truly grabbed my attention.  So, of course I 'bookmarked and highlighted' the section on my Nook. (A hated but necessary gadget for me...I can enlarge the text!)  The woman in the book had been through some terrible pains in her life.  The last one was too much to bear.  This is the quote, "I seen something in me had changed.  A bitter seed was planted inside a me.  And I just didn't feel so accepting anymore."
Oh my goodness.  Can I relate.  While I try to fight this 'bitterness' with all that is inside of me, sometimes I feel it there, controlling my thoughts and some of my actions.  It is not evil.  It is a 'test'.  I remember the events that led up to this 'bitter seed' being planted in me.  Events I have yet to let go.  Sometimes life can be overwhelmingly painful and in spite of ones faith, an attitude of not feeling accepting of other people can become a part of the self.  In my opinion, everyone handles this differently.  Some people express it through anger.  But, me...I express it by becoming isolated and depressed and lonely.  Which is worse?  For me, anger is worse because you have the potential to hurt other people.  Believe me, I do not get ANY satisfaction from hurting others.  That is one reason why certain people are no longer in my life.  Just because THEY hurt ME to the core, is no excuse for me to take REVENGE upon them.  In my opinion, sometimes this is the only way to deal with people who have inflicted their wrath upon you.  You forgive them and move on with your life.  You do not have to continue to subject yourself to their abuse.  Probably, all it would take for them to again be a part of my life is a simple, "I'm sorry".   I feel shunned by them because they will not reach out.  With all the history I have with these people, it is THEIR turn to reach out.  Their silence speaks volumes and it is saying to me that I am not important enough for them to extend their hand.   BUT, even if they somehow found the EMPATHY to apologize, they would be a part of my life in a different way.  It would never be the same as before...I do not think I could allow myself to ever truly trust them again.  My faith commands forgiveness.  But it does not command tolerating abuse.  Maybe I am wrong.  Maybe one day I will view all of this differently.  Not now.  Not yet.

Bitter seed, oh, bitter seed,
Please don't turn my life into a bitter weed.


I am not very good at 'weeding'.

The Past

"We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it.

Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness.  Tear out arrogance and seed humility.

Exchange love for hate thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising."--Maya Angelou

This is my thought for today. 

Last evening, I was angered by someone.  But instead of arguing, I chose to go for a ride.  I looked for the beauty surrounding me.  I saw the flowers, the trees, and the sunset.  I passed by an old friend's house.  I passed by a new friend's house.  And even though I did not stop to visit, I knew they were there for me if I needed them.   What a blessing!

And today, instead of feeling bitter and angry toward that person, I feel at peace with myself.

Thank you God for your wisdom!

A New Group

Why????



BECAUSE, I am trying to expand the people in my life that can support me, encourage me, and help with this loneliness that continues to plague me.  Today, I went to a "purpose" group for women.  The "purpose" being to try and figure out what one wants from life; to figure out who you are at this point in time.   I probably would not have gone, except for the encouragement of the ONE friend that I do have in my life.  I was so anxious when I first arrived.  I thought, what have I gotten myself into now.  But as it turns out, it was not as bad as I had anticipated.  The other ladies were nice.  I felt bad for a couple of them.  They were using walkers to get around.  They need kindness in their lives.  I need to show kindness.  I like to help people.  So maybe this is a good thing.  ????

THE VORTEX

The Vortex

"We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes.  It is a matter of personal choice.  Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today.  To change means to choose to change."

John Maxwell

So what will it be?  Will I continue to be a victim of my loneliness?  Or can I find the courage to reach out of this void into the fullness of life?

FACE BOOK

Okay...I am not sure I get it.  One of my face book friends gave up face book for Lent.  Did not even seem to me that she used it very much...This is not a criticism or a judgement. Maybe it is a good choice for her.  But, for me face book is a way to keep in touch with people I care about...people that are too busy with every day living to call or visit.  People that live too far away to visit. Or could it be these people don't really want to be in touch with me?   There goes that paranoia again...that insecurity that drives me insane...
Maybe I just don't understand the whole deal...would not be the first time I don't understand something and will not be the last.  Just another day of "living in loneliness".

Exercise starts today!

Well, I finally did it...I went to my Physical Therapy clinic and joined their little gym.  So we will see if it lasts...but it was doctor's orders...so I better make it last!  It is so nice and quiet there.  It is not a "meat market" if you know what I mean.  Before I went to exercise, I went to my new teacher's gathering place and just "hung out" for a couple of hours...started typing my poems on my computer...some of them were from 1989...whoa!!  And back then, it was all rhyming poems.  Funny!!