This Sunday will mark the end of the traditional period for Oktoberfest. I would encourage you to try and find a beer garden or ratskeller somewhere in your area this weekend. The Germans (Bavarians in particular) certainly enhanced the world with their celebration and wonderful beers. I was fortunate enough in my youth to stumble upon the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, California, and am the better for it. Not only did I learn the "Chicken Dance," but was first introduced to yodeling. It has been a secret pleasure ever since. I simply can't refrain from smiling when a good yodeler goes off. The singing starts at the 1:39 mark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1z0cbSWfXU
The costumes, brats, beer, and polka's make for sheer fun. Go have some.
http://www.thephoenixclub.com/oktoberfest/
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Monday, September 30, 2013
Other Side Of The Mirror
Imagine if you will, a world population of (approximately) 435 million. Of this 435 million a handful of people (at best) believed that the earth orbited the sun. Everyone else (EVERYONE!) knew the truth was the sun and planets orbited the earth. This was beyond question. Not only were biblical teachings supportive of this "truth," but the 5 senses a human being is endowed with made it incontrovertible. The evidence was overwhelming.
That was the state of affairs in the 16th century. Less than 500 years ago. I want you to fully appreciate this. And I want you to contemplate how the rate of information (knowledge) has changed in recent decades. Check out this link...
http://www.industrytap.com/knowledge-doubling-every-12-months-soon-to-be-every-12-hours/3950
Its not what you know now that will be altered in 500 years, or even 50, but 5. And it is going to assault your core belief system. It is going to fundamentally challenge you. How you embrace change will go a long ways determining your well-being. As you dwell on words like flexible, adaptable, versatile, supple and resilient, keep in mind the words from Desiderata; "no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." Stay open. Be receptive. Trust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lin-a2lTelg
That was the state of affairs in the 16th century. Less than 500 years ago. I want you to fully appreciate this. And I want you to contemplate how the rate of information (knowledge) has changed in recent decades. Check out this link...
http://www.industrytap.com/knowledge-doubling-every-12-months-soon-to-be-every-12-hours/3950
Its not what you know now that will be altered in 500 years, or even 50, but 5. And it is going to assault your core belief system. It is going to fundamentally challenge you. How you embrace change will go a long ways determining your well-being. As you dwell on words like flexible, adaptable, versatile, supple and resilient, keep in mind the words from Desiderata; "no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should." Stay open. Be receptive. Trust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lin-a2lTelg
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Reincarnation
When Jesus came into the coast of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do the people say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Matthew 16: 13-14 KJV
A near exact account can be found at Mark 8:27-28; and the larger context of what is being related is that Peter declares Jesus the Christ (Messiah). Why I stopped where I did is that I have always been fascinated that Jesus and the disciples have this conversation. The matter of fact way in which Jesus is looked upon as someone who had previously lived. The confusion about John the Baptist I can understand...a simple case of misidentification. But Elias, Jeremiah or some other prophet? Why were the "people" so quick to answer Jesus was somebody who had lived before? Was the idea of reincarnation so prevalent in those times?
I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot, or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body. ~Wisdom of Solomon 8:19-20 Jerusalem Bible
They (the Pharisees) say that all souls are imperishable, but that the souls of good men only pass into other bodies, but the souls of bad men are subject to eternal punishment. ~Josephus, Jewish War II:163 (8.14); cf. JCW p.478, III pp.385-387
The soul, which is immaterial and invisible in its nature, exists in no material place without having a body suited to the nature of that place. Accordingly, it at one time puts off one body which was necessary before, but which is no longer adequate in its changed state, and exchanges it for a second.
~Origen, Against Celsus VII:XXXII, WOII p.454
Again, from Origen: The soul has neither beginning or end...Every soul...comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of its previous life. Its place in the world, as a vessel appointed to honor or dishonor, is determined by its previous merits or demerits. Its work (actions) in this world determines its place in the world which is to follow. ~Origen, On First Principles, REWA p.36
The hypothesis of Basilades says that the soul, having sinned before in another life, endures punishment in this. ~Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies IV:XII, WCAII, p.176
Say, Lord to me...say, did my infancy succeed another age of mine that died before it? Was it that I spent within my mother's womb?...And what before that life again, O God my joy, was I anywhere or in any body? For this I have none to tell me, neither father nor mother, nor experience of others, nor mine own memory. ~Augustine, Confessions I:VII.9, CSA p.7
I believe reincarnation has been pigeon-holed in the United States. Too many believe it to be "New Age" or "unchristian." Nothing could be further from the truth. At the very least, it was a lively topic of debate 2000 years ago. I am not here telling you that "it is so." What I am saying is reincarnation certainly explains a lot to me. Divine mercy and justice make so much more sense in the framework of reincarnation than eternal punishment or reward based on a single lifetime. Unlike Augustine, though, perhaps we have the "experience of others" that we can draw on to better come to an understanding;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWwzFwUOxA
A near exact account can be found at Mark 8:27-28; and the larger context of what is being related is that Peter declares Jesus the Christ (Messiah). Why I stopped where I did is that I have always been fascinated that Jesus and the disciples have this conversation. The matter of fact way in which Jesus is looked upon as someone who had previously lived. The confusion about John the Baptist I can understand...a simple case of misidentification. But Elias, Jeremiah or some other prophet? Why were the "people" so quick to answer Jesus was somebody who had lived before? Was the idea of reincarnation so prevalent in those times?
I was a boy of happy disposition, I had received a good soul as my lot, or rather, being good, I had entered an undefiled body. ~Wisdom of Solomon 8:19-20 Jerusalem Bible
They (the Pharisees) say that all souls are imperishable, but that the souls of good men only pass into other bodies, but the souls of bad men are subject to eternal punishment. ~Josephus, Jewish War II:163 (8.14); cf. JCW p.478, III pp.385-387
The soul, which is immaterial and invisible in its nature, exists in no material place without having a body suited to the nature of that place. Accordingly, it at one time puts off one body which was necessary before, but which is no longer adequate in its changed state, and exchanges it for a second.
~Origen, Against Celsus VII:XXXII, WOII p.454
Again, from Origen: The soul has neither beginning or end...Every soul...comes into this world strengthened by the victories or weakened by the defeats of its previous life. Its place in the world, as a vessel appointed to honor or dishonor, is determined by its previous merits or demerits. Its work (actions) in this world determines its place in the world which is to follow. ~Origen, On First Principles, REWA p.36
The hypothesis of Basilades says that the soul, having sinned before in another life, endures punishment in this. ~Clement of Alexandria, Miscellanies IV:XII, WCAII, p.176
Say, Lord to me...say, did my infancy succeed another age of mine that died before it? Was it that I spent within my mother's womb?...And what before that life again, O God my joy, was I anywhere or in any body? For this I have none to tell me, neither father nor mother, nor experience of others, nor mine own memory. ~Augustine, Confessions I:VII.9, CSA p.7
I believe reincarnation has been pigeon-holed in the United States. Too many believe it to be "New Age" or "unchristian." Nothing could be further from the truth. At the very least, it was a lively topic of debate 2000 years ago. I am not here telling you that "it is so." What I am saying is reincarnation certainly explains a lot to me. Divine mercy and justice make so much more sense in the framework of reincarnation than eternal punishment or reward based on a single lifetime. Unlike Augustine, though, perhaps we have the "experience of others" that we can draw on to better come to an understanding;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EWwzFwUOxA
Monday, September 23, 2013
Through The Looking Glass
Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms or books written in a foreign language. Do not look for the answers. They cannot now be given to you because you could not live them. It is a question of experiencing everything. At present you need to live the question. Perhaps you will gradually, without even noticing it, find yourself experiencing the answer, some distant day.
~Rainer Marie Rilke
~Rainer Marie Rilke
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Perhaps They Never Will
So much talk of vulnerability. What is it. When is it warranted. Why is it important.
Questions so compelling I noticed Brene Brown was on Oprah's Super Sunday show today. Of course if you are a regular visitor to this site, you met Brene 2 1/2 months ago. (Any Questions 7-7-13) I brought her to you through Ted Talks. We have been over this subject thoroughly. However, if there are still lingering doubts as to what vulnerability is, let me share...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk
If you can listen to this song and still--"mount up"--you know as much of vulnerability as anyone in the world. If you are unsure what "mount up" means, go back into the archives. You have much to learn.
Questions so compelling I noticed Brene Brown was on Oprah's Super Sunday show today. Of course if you are a regular visitor to this site, you met Brene 2 1/2 months ago. (Any Questions 7-7-13) I brought her to you through Ted Talks. We have been over this subject thoroughly. However, if there are still lingering doubts as to what vulnerability is, let me share...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk
If you can listen to this song and still--"mount up"--you know as much of vulnerability as anyone in the world. If you are unsure what "mount up" means, go back into the archives. You have much to learn.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Trust
You trust someone and they let you down
Tear you up and toss you around
What do you do to show the right path
To someone who's spiteful with unwarranted wrath
Easy to say, difficult to do
Meeting hate with an I love you
But it has to be done, it's simply a must
Or how in the world will they learn to trust
~WPG
Tear you up and toss you around
What do you do to show the right path
To someone who's spiteful with unwarranted wrath
Easy to say, difficult to do
Meeting hate with an I love you
But it has to be done, it's simply a must
Or how in the world will they learn to trust
~WPG
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Red Headed Step Child
I honestly don't know if this expression is understood around the planet, so let me clarify: a red headed step child are people who are last considered, if they are considered at all. So unimportant they are rarely thought of in the scheme of things. And sadly, this blog has become a red headed step child in the last 9 days. I don't think I have ever allowed so much time to elapse between posts. That said, ironically, the reason for it is ANOTHER red headed step child...my e-book!
Boy, did I entertain high expectations from friends and family about immediately purchasing "The Last Enchanted Forest." (see Book tab at top of page) The apathy and indifference was eye-opening. It also hurt. Down deep. On a very personal level. And I wanted to give myself time to feel it, really experience that pain. I figured that was the only way I would be able to "let it go." So I took the time. Yet, while I was experiencing disappointment about the lack of e-book sales, I found myself unable and unwilling to "blog." In a very poor metaphor (since I in no way consider myself "superman") it was like Superman around kryptonite. I felt powerless. I felt the lack of response was a reflection of me, when in truth, it said what needed to be said of "family and friends." I needed to recalibrate those who fit the definition, simple as that. (see; Matthew 12:48)
The truth is, if every friend and family member bought my book it wouldn't come CLOSE to the sales I believe the book warrants. The book is awesome...a wonderful tale that is worthy of global recognition. And if Life decides it is constructive, beneficial, and illuminating, nothing on earth could possibly stop the momentum that will, eventually, build around the book and take it to unimaginable sales. That is how Life works. At least that is what I have been claiming for 14 months on this web site. I've also said in many places---"lets put it to the test." So now you'll get to see for yourself. I have said I need to sale 100 books in 3 months to Louis Borelli. (book store owner) He said I didn't have the marketing in place to get close to that number. I said it was a VERY conservative number. I will let you know at the end of December where we are at. (and so you know, the following 6 months I would like the book to sale 1000 copies)
Final note: As a precursor of things to come, and something only one other person of the 7 billion people on earth could possibly understand...."Hi Morgan!"
Boy, did I entertain high expectations from friends and family about immediately purchasing "The Last Enchanted Forest." (see Book tab at top of page) The apathy and indifference was eye-opening. It also hurt. Down deep. On a very personal level. And I wanted to give myself time to feel it, really experience that pain. I figured that was the only way I would be able to "let it go." So I took the time. Yet, while I was experiencing disappointment about the lack of e-book sales, I found myself unable and unwilling to "blog." In a very poor metaphor (since I in no way consider myself "superman") it was like Superman around kryptonite. I felt powerless. I felt the lack of response was a reflection of me, when in truth, it said what needed to be said of "family and friends." I needed to recalibrate those who fit the definition, simple as that. (see; Matthew 12:48)
The truth is, if every friend and family member bought my book it wouldn't come CLOSE to the sales I believe the book warrants. The book is awesome...a wonderful tale that is worthy of global recognition. And if Life decides it is constructive, beneficial, and illuminating, nothing on earth could possibly stop the momentum that will, eventually, build around the book and take it to unimaginable sales. That is how Life works. At least that is what I have been claiming for 14 months on this web site. I've also said in many places---"lets put it to the test." So now you'll get to see for yourself. I have said I need to sale 100 books in 3 months to Louis Borelli. (book store owner) He said I didn't have the marketing in place to get close to that number. I said it was a VERY conservative number. I will let you know at the end of December where we are at. (and so you know, the following 6 months I would like the book to sale 1000 copies)
Final note: As a precursor of things to come, and something only one other person of the 7 billion people on earth could possibly understand...."Hi Morgan!"
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