Agreed?

In "Upward Spiral" (12-7-18) gratitude was identified as integral to your well-being. It is a fact. Research to your hearts content and what you'll find is universal agreement that an 'attitude of gratitude' benefits you in a multitude of ways. It stands to reason then, it is in your best interest to develop the ability to view the world in such a way. The question then becomes, "how do I do this?"

My formula is obvious. It is the title of the blog. But identifying a 'mode of being' isn't the same thing as employing that vehicle. Application becomes essential. You can know the right thing to do and still make a choice opposite of what that is. (having an affair is one easy example) So how do we create an environment where we curtail self-sabotage and begin a course of enhancing our quality of life? We purposely, persistently, and emphatically engage our experience as a GIFT. 

I understand how ludicrous that statement can appear. I attempted to address that dichotomy in the very first post of this blog. (Aurora, Co 7-20-12) Whether I was successful or not, the fact remains it is essential for you to devise strategies to withstand the problems life will (undoubtedly) bring you. Viewing every experience (eventually) as a gift is the doorway to gratitude and the means to facilitate the harmonics necessary to overcome destructive behavior.

The book, "Words Can Change Your Brain," (Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman) asserts "a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress. Positive words can alter the expression of genes, strengthening areas in our frontal lobes and promoting the brains cognitive functioning. They propel the motivational centers of the brain into action."

Can we agree the word "gift" carries a positive meaning? Can we admit "gratitude" is so beneficial we cant afford to limit its use? As we prepare for 2019 can we agree to do something favorable for ourselves? Something that promotes promising implications not only for ourselves, but our friends, family, significant others, careers, and health? If so, then we have a basis for an agreement and as good a start to 2019 as one could hope.

Foreshadowing

If you want to know what 2019 has in store for America listen to, "Spente le Stelle" on YouTube. (Emma Shapplin) The intuitive, spiritual context (harmonics) that resonates through the song are an analogical hammer that embodies the catastrophe that is "Trump." Prepare yourself.

Dear Republicans

Let your credo be this: let the lie come into this world, let it even triumph. But not through me. ~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

I alerted you August 24th (The Unravelling) what was occurring. Now know this; 2019 is when the bill comes due. The cosmic/karmic hammer will fall. It will not be pretty. America will never be the same. (see, Matthew 24:21) Still, there are gifts to be gleaned if only we hold those responsible accountable; something in short supply these days (ie, accountability). Trump is no more than a lightning rod for a decades long Republican campaign of "suppressio veri." To simply tear the top off the weed and neglect the root, well, we've been there, done that. (Watergate) Here in our worst hour lies an opportunity to re-embrace our integrity. May we be cognizant of what is at stake.

Upward Spiral

"The benefits of gratitude start with the dopamine systems, because feeling grateful activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine. Additionally, gratitude toward others increases activity in social dopamine circuits which makes social interactions more enjoyable."

"One powerful effect of gratitude is that it can boost serotonin. Trying to think of things you are grateful for forces you to focus on the positive aspects of your life. This simple act increases production in the anterior cingulate cortex."

"It's not finding gratitude that matters most; it is remembering to look in the first place. Remembering to be grateful is a form of emotional intelligence. One study found that it actually affected neuron density in both the ventromedial and lateral prefrontal cortex. These density changes suggest that as emotional intelligence increases, the neurons in these areas become more efficient with higher emotional intelligence, it simply takes less effort to be grateful."

"Everything is interconnected. Gratitude improves sleep. Sleep reduces pain. Reduced pain improves your mood. Improved mood reduces anxiety, which improves focus and planning. Focus and planning help with decision making. Decision making further reduces anxiety and promotes enjoyment. Enjoyment gives you more to be grateful for, which keeps the loop of the upward spiral going." ~Alex Korb  PHD Neuroscientist

Doctor Korb's book the "Upward Spiral," was published in 2015. This blog began in 2012.

Reflection

You are like a fish in the ocean complaining of thirst. ~Roshi from "afterzen" by Janwillem van de Wetering

Housekeeping

The following list is for my personal satisfaction and something I have ignored for far too long. A couple of notes regarding it: 1) China had been on the list since the (near) beginning of the blog, but has been overlooked and omitted for several years. They are actually the #5 rated nation, vis-à-vis "hits." [#1 USA, #2 Russia, #3 France, #4 Germany, etc.] 2) There is something referred to as the  "Unknown Region." Why this is so, I have no idea. 3) There is a distinction between Slovakia and Slovenia--which I had to research to be sure.

NEWCOMERS: Egypt 1-2-17 Ghana 1-21-17 Trinidad and Tobago 1-30-17 Armenia 4-1-17 Hong Kong 6-23-17 Guatemala 8-15-17 Montenegro 11-19-17 Macedonia 2-1-18 Seychelles 3-9-18 Norway 4-16-18 (what took you so long?) Faroe Islands 4-30-18 (Seychelles and FI listed and yet there is an Unknown Region?) Luxemburg 5-1-18 Nigeria 6-9-18 Unknown Region 8-7-18 Estonia 11-5-18 Slovenia 11-8-18

Albania--Algeria--Angora--Argentina--ARMENIA--Australia--Austria--Bahamas--Belarus--Belgium--Brazil--Bolivia--Bulgaria--Cambodia--Canada--Chile--China--Costa Rica--Columbia--Czech Republic--Denmark--Ecuador--El Salvador--EGYPT--ESTONIA--FAROE ISLANDS--Finland--France--Germany--Georgia--GHANA--Greece--GUATEMALA--Honduras--HONG KONG--Hungary--India--Indonesia--Iraq--Ireland--Italy--Israel--Jamaica--Japan--Kazakhstan--Kenya--Kuwait--Kyrgystan--Latvia--Lithuania--LUXEMBURG--MACEDONIA--Malaysia--Mexico--Moldova--MONTENEGRO--Netherlands--New Zealand--NIGERIA--NORWAY--Pakistan--Panama--Peru--Philippines--Poland--Portugal--Qatar--Romania--Russia--Saudi Arabia--Serbia--SEYCHELLES--Singapore--Slovakia--SLOVENIA--Spain--South Africa--South Korea--Sweden--Suriname--Switzerland--Taiwan--Tanzania--Thailand--TRINIDAD and TOBAGO--Tunisia--Turkmenistan--Turkey--Ukraine--United Arab Emirate--United Kingdom--United States--UNKNOWN REGION--Venezuela--Vietnam--Zambia--Zimbabwe

Three more and we shall reach triple figures. How about that?

The Unravelling

The Chief Financial Officer of the Trump Organization (Allen Weisselberg) has been granted immunity. With the other developments this week regarding Trump's personal lawyer (Michael Cohen) and long time ally David Pecker (CEO of America Media Inc./National Enquirer) the ultimate outcome for Donald J. Trump is insured---he's toast. He is being confronted on multiple fronts, (both civil and federal) as an individual as well as an organization, and most vital, a political administration. The ramifications will expose this man and what he has spent his life trying to hide. History will now (assuredly) view Trump for what he is; the most depraved, vile, and outrageous prevaricator the office of the Presidency has ever been subjected to. To be clear, his conspiracy with the Russians has yet to be proven. (but it will) This is the long sought gift I have been waiting for.

Make no mistake---there's no telling what destruction Trump will do as he is brought down. Like a rabid dog he will strike out in every direction and the extent of the collateral damage, unforeseeable. Still, the living hell Trump is currently experiencing, and will continue to be subjected to, is confirmation of the old adage, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7)

Everybody Does It

When did you become an "everybody?" What circumstance brought you to use this feeble excuse, the last resort of those who want to avoid accountability at all cost? When did you become that person? I was convinced you were here to be a man among men. To stretch your potential and demonstrate the uniqueness that makes you, you! If that message has faltered and fizzled, no longer resonating between your heart and your head, then by all means, step away. After all, you may need time to retrace your trail and locate your integrity, anyway.

Assassin

The root of all evil is hopelessness. Conditions that beget a sickness of the soul flourish in despair. Despair is Hell's most efficient assassin.

Book of Padrac

Note to Self

Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.  ~Henry Miller

Vive la France

For the last two weeks a Frenchman (or woman, or several such Franco beings) has made extensive use of this blog, dominating the statistics, outstripping even the United States. As inactive as I've been, this warms my heart and comforts my soul. In "Steamrolled" (11-16-16) I mentioned I did not want this blog to become "overly political" and worried that I might not be "equal to the task" of avoiding that fate. Well I haven't been. Trump is such a colossal asshole that he dominates news cycles and weekly (if not daily) finds new ways to embarrass the United States. His immigration policy of separating children from parents is just our latest shame to be endured. (although, to be fair, thousands and thousands of people nation wide have decided this is not to be endured and are vigorously fighting the insanity) Point is, where is the gift to be grateful for? My absence of posting bears witness to the fact I struggle mightily to find one. Then I was reminded of the post "Make No Mistake," (10-14-16) where I assert the "absence of God is an aspect of God." (I know it sounds absurd, but read the entire post before dismissing the idea) Perhaps the (apparent) absence of a gift is an aspect of the gift. That the trite expression, "things could always be worse," isn't quite so trite after all. That it is our responsibility to incessantly seek out that which is good and pure and kind. That our actions reflect our ideals. That our dreams speak to a larger truth that wont be compromised by the lies flowing from the lips of liars.

To that end, let me wrap by saying, "merci beaucoup!" It really has meant a great deal to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUu1vQlTJ0c

Answer to Trump Fatigue

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and suffering. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all the terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized...

But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. (For) we shall go on to the end...We shall fight on the seas and oceans...we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...

Come then, let us go forwarded together with our united strength.

~Winston Churchill

Liftoff

Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. ~GK Chesterton

Do Not Look Away

What you most want to find is found in the place you least wish to look.