I never married and have no offspring. So the clip that follows is somewhat of a mystery to me. Is it as eye-opening as it seems? Or do babies astound their parents in a multitude of ways? (wait! that is a rhetorical question) Of course they do, especially the first. I have seen the pictures, home movies and endured HOURS of conversation. Let me be more specific: I know babies often smash the "adorable meter" all to hell. I know babies laugh, giggle, and gush until you think you're melting in pure bliss. But have you ever seen anything like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFujGieAirI
I wonder. The emotional depth this baby seems to demonstrate lends itself to the motif that has developed on this blog over the last week. Through Alonzo, Shane and now Mary-Lynn Leroux, (the baby) Life seems to be insisting we take the lesson to heart. Words matter. Pitch, tone, modulation, emphasis and rhythm all play a part. As I said in 'Handle With Care' (10-24) "...words can be a medium to create an object of beauty."
Let the artist within come forth.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Sticks and Stones
Last Thursday I wrote: "As children we were told; sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. As adults we know little else can hurt us more."
In elementary and high school I was the popular kid. Played sports, dated the best looking girls. I say that for one reason only--I was STILL as insecure a person as you would ever want to meet. Every slight a scar. Every opinion from Mount Sinai. Every event a crisis. I was told early and often; don't be so hard on yourself. But I knew if I let up even for a minute I would become more exposed, more vulnerable, more susceptible.
I want you to meet Shane Koyczan. He is going to share what it was like from the other end of the spectrum. Shane is far braver than I will ever be. He has overcome far more than I ever will. But we were never as different as appearances seemed...
http://www.ted.com/talks/shane_koyczan_to_this_day_for_the_bullied_and_beautiful.html
If you wish to teach your children, nephews, nieces or grandchildren some genuine values through storytelling, please consider purchasing my book, "The Last Enchanted Forest." It is available in e-book form and can be found by hitting the BOOK tab at the top of the page.
In elementary and high school I was the popular kid. Played sports, dated the best looking girls. I say that for one reason only--I was STILL as insecure a person as you would ever want to meet. Every slight a scar. Every opinion from Mount Sinai. Every event a crisis. I was told early and often; don't be so hard on yourself. But I knew if I let up even for a minute I would become more exposed, more vulnerable, more susceptible.
I want you to meet Shane Koyczan. He is going to share what it was like from the other end of the spectrum. Shane is far braver than I will ever be. He has overcome far more than I ever will. But we were never as different as appearances seemed...
http://www.ted.com/talks/shane_koyczan_to_this_day_for_the_bullied_and_beautiful.html
If you wish to teach your children, nephews, nieces or grandchildren some genuine values through storytelling, please consider purchasing my book, "The Last Enchanted Forest." It is available in e-book form and can be found by hitting the BOOK tab at the top of the page.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Crossroad at the Crossword
I love doing crossword puzzles. Been doing them longer than I care to admit. And there is something inexplicable that often happens when I do them. I'll get stymied--stuck--flummoxed. I'll have no further answers. I have been bested. So I set it down and go about my business.
The "inexplicable" happens when I pick that crossword puzzle up again. Much more often than not, I go on to complete the puzzle. How can this be? I am certainly no smarter than before. Its not that I even RECOGNIZE a particular answer that may fit the puzzle. (often they are Latin or archaic terms) But by horizontal and vertical referencing, I know for a certainty that my answer is correct. Where did this "information" come from? Is it my own subconscious mind? The Universal Mind? Thin air?
I share this simply to encourage you to examine your problem solving process. Setting down a problem for a period of time doesn't mean you've quit on it. It just means you cease the frustration and possible anger that can arise when you become thwarted. The intention is; I am blocked. I will return to this issue later for resolution.
Religious people sometimes term this "letting go and letting God;" in-so-far as personal problems are concerned. I have no trouble with this perspective because I believe all of Life is a manifestation of God. I would add, though, I don't believe God gives two hoots or a holler whether I finish a crossword puzzle or not. So, for me, the answer isn't so much that God took an active interest in my specific problem as He set up a "dynamic" that is available to one and all. We just need to recognize and utilize the inherent, universal technique. Kind of like tuning in a radio---we need to find the proper frequency.
It has been suggested elsewhere on this blog to "enjoy the questions while you wait on the answers." I am sincere with that thought. If someone had figured all of life out, we would certainly have heard about it. (religions not withstanding) The blueprint would be overt and easily recognizable. Everyone would be utilizing the same playbook. But that is not the case--therefore we can infer an individual (personal) road is encouraged within generalized (impersonal) parameters. Of course that is only my opinion. What you think (believe and manifest) is the road that you are on. Here's hoping we cross paths.
Tip: If you have a notion to try a crossword puzzle, know they get progressively harder as the week goes by. (assuming you find one in your local newspaper) Monday's crossword is far easier than Thursday's, for example. The exception is a Sunday crossword. While challenging (and large!) it does not compare with the difficulty of a Saturday crossword.
The "inexplicable" happens when I pick that crossword puzzle up again. Much more often than not, I go on to complete the puzzle. How can this be? I am certainly no smarter than before. Its not that I even RECOGNIZE a particular answer that may fit the puzzle. (often they are Latin or archaic terms) But by horizontal and vertical referencing, I know for a certainty that my answer is correct. Where did this "information" come from? Is it my own subconscious mind? The Universal Mind? Thin air?
I share this simply to encourage you to examine your problem solving process. Setting down a problem for a period of time doesn't mean you've quit on it. It just means you cease the frustration and possible anger that can arise when you become thwarted. The intention is; I am blocked. I will return to this issue later for resolution.
Religious people sometimes term this "letting go and letting God;" in-so-far as personal problems are concerned. I have no trouble with this perspective because I believe all of Life is a manifestation of God. I would add, though, I don't believe God gives two hoots or a holler whether I finish a crossword puzzle or not. So, for me, the answer isn't so much that God took an active interest in my specific problem as He set up a "dynamic" that is available to one and all. We just need to recognize and utilize the inherent, universal technique. Kind of like tuning in a radio---we need to find the proper frequency.
It has been suggested elsewhere on this blog to "enjoy the questions while you wait on the answers." I am sincere with that thought. If someone had figured all of life out, we would certainly have heard about it. (religions not withstanding) The blueprint would be overt and easily recognizable. Everyone would be utilizing the same playbook. But that is not the case--therefore we can infer an individual (personal) road is encouraged within generalized (impersonal) parameters. Of course that is only my opinion. What you think (believe and manifest) is the road that you are on. Here's hoping we cross paths.
Tip: If you have a notion to try a crossword puzzle, know they get progressively harder as the week goes by. (assuming you find one in your local newspaper) Monday's crossword is far easier than Thursday's, for example. The exception is a Sunday crossword. While challenging (and large!) it does not compare with the difficulty of a Saturday crossword.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Handle With Care
When you observe something of beauty, a fine instrument or piece of art, do you ever wonder about the amount of time, talent and skill that goes into the creation of it? I ask for one simple reason; think how easy it is to destroy things. A Stradivarius violin can be stepped on and crushed in a second. A van Gogh ruined by a 2 dollar pocket knife. Time, talent or skill level necessary--none.
As Life unfolds and sweeps you along, please consider the value of all that surrounds you. Much of it may bore or even repel you. It may be so common place it doesn't even draw a conscious response. And that's okay--it happens. If you stumbled across this post though, know some Presence has tapped you on the shoulder. It asks you to remember. It requests that you recalibrate. It invites you take time to recall you are a co-Creator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxxdQox7n0
As powerful and wonderful as that link is, I want you to expand your efforts further. I ask you move beyond your initial discomfort with the next link. See the warmth, wisdom and beauty flowing from those fingers. The manifestation of an interior vision so contrary to the outward, physical "reality."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oEwt40SAeU
As children we were told; "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." As adults we know little else can hurt us more. Today, tomorrow, and for as long as the momentum carries you, choose your words carefully. Look beyond terms like garbage, trash, or waste, and see with the eye of an artist. Like an empty canvas or a lump of clay, words can be a medium to create an object of beauty. And with all things of value, it takes time, talent and patience. Destroying it only takes a moment of mindlessness, carelessness, recklessness.
Words are like raindrops--one, several, or many may not be enough to bring a parched land back to life. But if you are consistent, if you are persistent, you can transform a wasteland. The truly astounding occurrence is that you, like the wasteland, are redefined in the process. Desiderata suggests; "beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself." I beg you go even further. Be gentle with all who interact with you--they are far more fragile than they would ever let on.
Update: Caught my error concerning the 2nd link 9:40 PM PST. Sorry about that! Great site though, huh? Proper link now in place.
As Life unfolds and sweeps you along, please consider the value of all that surrounds you. Much of it may bore or even repel you. It may be so common place it doesn't even draw a conscious response. And that's okay--it happens. If you stumbled across this post though, know some Presence has tapped you on the shoulder. It asks you to remember. It requests that you recalibrate. It invites you take time to recall you are a co-Creator.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJxxdQox7n0
As powerful and wonderful as that link is, I want you to expand your efforts further. I ask you move beyond your initial discomfort with the next link. See the warmth, wisdom and beauty flowing from those fingers. The manifestation of an interior vision so contrary to the outward, physical "reality."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oEwt40SAeU
As children we were told; "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me." As adults we know little else can hurt us more. Today, tomorrow, and for as long as the momentum carries you, choose your words carefully. Look beyond terms like garbage, trash, or waste, and see with the eye of an artist. Like an empty canvas or a lump of clay, words can be a medium to create an object of beauty. And with all things of value, it takes time, talent and patience. Destroying it only takes a moment of mindlessness, carelessness, recklessness.
Words are like raindrops--one, several, or many may not be enough to bring a parched land back to life. But if you are consistent, if you are persistent, you can transform a wasteland. The truly astounding occurrence is that you, like the wasteland, are redefined in the process. Desiderata suggests; "beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself." I beg you go even further. Be gentle with all who interact with you--they are far more fragile than they would ever let on.
Update: Caught my error concerning the 2nd link 9:40 PM PST. Sorry about that! Great site though, huh? Proper link now in place.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Reflection
God sleeps in the rock
Dreams in the plant
Stirs in the animal
And awakens in man
~ ibn al-Arabi
12th century Sufi mystic
Dreams in the plant
Stirs in the animal
And awakens in man
~ ibn al-Arabi
12th century Sufi mystic
Monday, October 21, 2013
Entanglement
One pearl of ancient wisdom is; "as above, so below." As we conduct experiments with quantum entanglement we can better theorize of possibilities once thought impossible.
http://www.livescience.com/28550-how-quantum-entanglement-works-infographic.html#
As eye opening as the possibilities may be, I am (always and ever) more inclined to personalize the data. What does it mean in my life? What, if any, are its applications? How can I use the information to reach beyond my current state--beyond my potential? Could entanglement possibly be a physical manifestation of karma? That all interaction, both macro and micro, carry potential of lasting effect?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg7VTKQ3Tgw
Enjoy the questions while you wait on the answers.
Update 10-29 The initial (and better) link to "Tangled up in Blue" (Bob Dylan) was pulled so I have replaced it. How long this replacement link is up is any one's guess. Thought I should let you know.
http://www.livescience.com/28550-how-quantum-entanglement-works-infographic.html#
As eye opening as the possibilities may be, I am (always and ever) more inclined to personalize the data. What does it mean in my life? What, if any, are its applications? How can I use the information to reach beyond my current state--beyond my potential? Could entanglement possibly be a physical manifestation of karma? That all interaction, both macro and micro, carry potential of lasting effect?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg7VTKQ3Tgw
Enjoy the questions while you wait on the answers.
Update 10-29 The initial (and better) link to "Tangled up in Blue" (Bob Dylan) was pulled so I have replaced it. How long this replacement link is up is any one's guess. Thought I should let you know.
Monday, October 14, 2013
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