Food for Thought

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.~Mark Twain

Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in the one ahead.~Bill McGlashen

We've all heard that a million monkey's banging on a million typewriters will eventually produce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true. ~Robert Wilensky

When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember the Fire Department usually uses water.~Anonymous

The trouble with being punctual is that nobodies around to appreciate it.~Franklin P. Jones

I intend to live forever. So far, so good.~Steven Wright

The only reason some people get lost in thought is because its unfamiliar territory.~Paul Fix

To err is human. To blame it on somebody else shows management potential.~Anonymous

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.~Oscar Wilde

There is nothing so annoying as to have two people go right on talking when you're interrupting them.~Mark Twain

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.~Douglas Adams

The Universe adores you.~Rob Brezsny

Always use love, all ways.~MSIA

Meld

Karen Armstrong and Richard Dawkins square off in this article from the Wall Street Journal. To appreciate the poem that follows, I ask that you read the link.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052970203440104574405030643556324

                    Pisces

In the beginning was the Word
And He fashioned Himself into a bird
With mighty wing He took to flight
To change forever perpetual night

As He powered through the endless abyss
He knew that some thing was amiss
So on the down stroke, with all His might
The Eternal Bird created light

Distinction was made, day from night
Yet as He continued with purposeful flight
A sense prevailed that, by and by
A Bird is useless without a sky

Thus the beginning of a wondrous plan
He put it to work and created land
Then He inspected as He flew around
But wasn't satisfied with what He found

So it was and continues to be
He unleashed a torrent, the frothing sea
Then it was, with celestial mirth
He labeled His project, "planet earth"

It was at this point He took a rest                                                                                            Decided that He'd save the best
For some thing different, a mystery
And so it was created me!

Hard to believe He'd make a wish
Simply to create a fish
Yet it was done, don't ask me why
I have trouble deciphering Pi

Still who among you knows what they'd find
If ever they sounded the Creators mind
But there you have it and quite a notion
Life for land to begin in the ocean

From there the story gets very involved
It wasn't till Darwin that it was solved
Yet let this not hinder your spiritual quest
The ultimate answers remain in His nest

The Eternal Bird, mysterious indeed
Using pisces as the human seed
Quite a strategy you've got to admit
And hindsight tells you that it all fits

The grand design of a Master mind
Who's love runs deep for all mankind
So much so, that when it was done
The Eternal Bird, He sent His son

Of this man I'm sure you know
That everywhere His disciples go
They use a sign at their Master's wish
Paying homage to the humble fish

~WPG

Heads Up

We, in the Northern Hemisphere, might be in for some thing rare.

http://www.nightskyhunter.com/Comets%20Visible%20Tonight!.html

Be observant. Stay expectant.

Update: 2:40 PM   Nice picture coming in from the European Southern Observatory

http://www.eso.org/public/archives/images/screen/potw1346a.jpg

ENLIGHTENMENT

A story told in pictures...

Sacred Masculine

I mentioned in the 11-6 post (People Don't Learn) that a "gratitude course" was starting up and provided a link to enroll. Yesterday was day 9 of the course and the question was; "what is the greatest compliment you have ever received." My answer came immediately to mind. That produced an avalanche of events resulting in today's post. In a small way, you are going to meet the first girl I ever dated. She wrote me two poems. (how cool is that?) The one containing the compliment isn't going to be shared. I view it as "too personal--too intimate." After reading the poem I AM going to share, (with her permission) you may develop a sense of appreciation for my reluctance.

        Mountain Dream

Alone this mountain morning
I went for a walk, a climb
Beside a silent stream of melted
First snowfall
(first love, you are a splashing brook inside)
Not even dawn, fading stars
Were strewn across the sky
A mist of cold blue air swirling
Disguising the tall evergreens
(your face, I see it, focus, out of focus,
gone, leaving only your eyes, stars)
Slowly the forest awoke
Twitching brown chipmunks
Scampered up trees, startled
By my intrusion into their
Morning breakfast world
Stopping to watch, I leaned
Against a green feathered pine
And suddenly the sun broke
Through the mist, setting fire
To the treetops with its touch
(Now the limbs encircle and take hold,
surrounding, your arms, your arms so close
as we entwine until the sun touches me too)

For those interested, the February 1st post was written to her.

A For Effort

While growing up I often heard the adage; "well, you get an A for effort." The crux of the message was the situation hadn't turned out as you had hoped, but it was obvious you had done your very best. I wonder where that saying went? I ask because of an article my second cousin (and devoted mother) posted on Facebook this morning.

http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/?imw=Y

It is an interesting, insightful article that is well researched. It is also l-o-n-g! And I was struck by the fact that what takes 15 minutes to read is encapsulated by The Last Enchanted Forest in a stanza that takes all of 10 seconds. (Dwarves will convey persistence--Strength and inner pride--Acceptance of just what they are--Not something that they hide)

The context in which this is shared is Willie's (a leprechaun) reaction to the assistance the "big one's" are obviously in need of. After visiting our world, he returns home and explains to his forest family that they have to go and help out. Part of his rational is how different groups (elves, pixies, dwarves) can share traits beneficial to the big folk.

To be clear, Willie isn't a psychologist or child behaviorist. He didn't conduct any experiments. He just KNEW. Like I know your child (grandchild, nephew or niece) will benefit from you sharing The Last Enchanted Forest with them. It is a delightful fantasy that can be taken at face value. As a bonus, it provides teachable moments--if you are so inclined. Either way, the value of the book will pay dividends for a lifetime.

You can view the first two pages by clicking on the tab (Book) at the top of the page and then on the book cover itself. Enjoy.

Wherefore Art Thou

While we can never prove the Presence exists to others, we do know it when we've experienced it. And once experienced, there's no turning back. Once we recognize the Presence is within and all around us, there's no reason to revere rituals and ceremonies...

"Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours. You will not find me in stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor in synagogues, nor in cathedrals: not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding around your neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables. When you really look for me, you will see me instantly." ~Kabir Indian poet (translated by Robert Bly)

Once we get away from our beliefs of what is sacred and religious, we finally grasp the meaning of this wondrous journey: to experience the Presence and awaken to our real identity. We experience this Presence by surrendering, by relentless honesty, by not knowing.

~J. K. Bailey Already on Holy Ground