Love Song

God is singing His heart out this morning. Can you hear Him?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymDvV8pmyIg

Have a truly wonder-filled weekend.

Word Play 2nd Edition

"To be or not to be, that is the question." Today I ask that you be happy. Regardless of what happens, no matter the circumstances, be happy. The question; "how do I do this" or, "how can I make this happen," may be your response. My answer? I didn't ask you to DO anything. I didn't ask you to MAKE anything. I just asked that you BE happy. You are a human be-ing. You go around be-ing all the time. I'm simply asking that you make a conscious choice to be happy.

Have you noticed that when you ask people what they want in life, the majority say; "I just want to be happy." They don't respond by saying I want to do happy or make happy, they want to be happy. So I say, "Wish Granted!" The power is yours. The choice is yours. Once you take on the responsibility (accountability) for your own happiness, it really doesn't matter what the provocation. You govern your world unilaterally, why abdicate your emotional well being to a usurper?

Since tomorrow is Christmas, why not give yourself a present? Pass an edict; issue a proclamation that declares happiness is the order of the day. And that the law will be strictly enforced. Violators can and will be subject to your very best smile.

Word Play

At the web site Home, I talked of certain qualities (ideals) that your personality might be drawn toward. One of them was "fearlessness." What do you think of when you hear the word fearlessness? Is it the literary or cinematic definition? Here the word usually means that there is no fear what so ever. The hero (heroine) bravely plunges ahead without a single thought of personal safety. But is that the right interpretation? Look at the word this way; fear-less. ("ness" is simply a "state, quality, or instance of being; greatness, sadness") So by definition, fearlessness is a state, quality, or instance where you are experiencing less fear. You fear less.

So how do we move in the direction of being fearless? One way might be to look at the word present. (as in past, present, and future) Most spiritual disciplines talk of the benefits of staying in the "here and now." Well, the here and now is the "present," is it not? And doesn't present also have the definition of "a gift?" If it were possible to integrate both definitions of present (here and now/gift) would outcomes be viewed differently? As in: OUT of the present COMES a gift.

At Christmas time when gifts are exchanged, isn't there an undercurrent of excitement waiting to open those presents? A delicious curiosity of what did he/she get me? Think about bringing that same attitude towards the unfolding of your life. That the present is a gift where the outcome will be exactly what you most need. (not want) That anticipation of the present, rather than anxiety towards it, is the way we become fearless.

Winter Solstice

Today at 17:11 (Universal Coordinated Time) the astronomical phenomenon of "winter solstice" will occur. This is the origin--the source--of all winter holidays/festivals, including Christmas. We in the northern hemisphere will experience the "shortest day, longest night" of the entire year. (naturally, in the southern hemisphere, the opposite is taking place) Because our ancestors realized their reliance and dependency on the sun, they chose to honor and pay homage to it; as we do today in the guise of Christmas. (Christ Mass) This is undisputed. Simply research the origins of Christmas and you will find that all symbols associated with Christmas are "pagan." (as is the case with Easter) Do I care that gift-giving, the Christmas tree, mistletoe, the yule log, Santa Claus etc. etc. all began with heathens? Not in the least. What I mind is the Christian attitude that there is a "war" on Christmas and that atheist's wish to "secularize" their beloved holiday.

Talk to a devout Christian about "wiccans" and see how they feel about "pagans." Yet, they will celebrate pagan festivals and claim them as their own. Worse, they become self-righteous and indignant if you don't adopt their views. It isn't the sun we worship, it is the Son. Shakespeare wrote; "that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I agree. Enjoy the season's celebrations. All I ask is that you don't paint a lemon red and try to convince me it's an apple.

Santa Came Early

November 16th I posted Sacred Masculine and described a series of events that led me getting back in touch with the first girl I ever dated. Well, a lot has happened since then. So much so, awhile back I asked permission to use her first name in the blog. She wondered why. I said I wanted my readers (we small band of brothers) to know her as something other than "the first girl I ever dated." She acquiesced.

To say this woman has brought a vitality, an exuberance back in my life would be an understatement. I have been "over the moon." Acting the complete and utter fool. But like Parsifal, the Innocent Fool, there must be an intrinsic charm to "foolishness" in its natural state. I simply can't fathom any other reason why she didn't dismiss me as a lunatic.

There is another side to being a fool, though. This side perceives new events with old eyes, and tries to construct the present within a framework of the past. This fool isn't innocent by any standard; only tired, trite, and altogether predictable. His tapes (unconscious, unresolved issues) play endlessly in his head. He is difficult to get along with because he is so certain. He "knows." He's been down this road before.

Last night the woman I am talking about took on my not-so-appealing aspects of the fool. The narcissistic, low self-esteem, oh so assured fool who engages in self-sabotage. And she walked him back from the ledge. She was enormously generous, understanding, and empathetic. She was wise, adroit, and patient. There was a nobility and grace with which she handled MY issues that left me stunned and humbled. And feeling very, very foolish.

Her name is Pamela. And she really is quite remarkable.

Back On Your Feet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EriieBV-nk

This is the day. Now is the moment. Break them. Go, fly! (your tears are dry)

Do you hear it? The laughter, the voices? Do you feel it? The light of heaven? (I know you do!)

Yes, you are strong. Yes, you are proud. Yes, you are standing tall.

Go live the life you've always dreamed of. Be the man (woman) you always envisioned yourself to be. Settle for nothing less.

(any and all emotions created by this post brought to you courtesy of Evil, Inc.)

Evil

Now comes temptation, darkness and waiting
While evil abounds, lurks and tries baiting
Cruel in appearance, morbid in taste
Day becomes night and all is in waste

Long are his arms, cold is his touch
Maims strong men then offers a crutch
If token is taken he haughtily jeers
Turns hearts to stone and contemptibly sneers

Promising much he miserly doles
Deepens his shadow and engulfs the soul
Swift are his lies though music to hear
Doom is at hand whenever he's near

~WPG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6d8eKvegLI