Category Archives: Life

The YOLO Effect…

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You only live once  Forgive me for overworking the YOLO cliché, but I’ve got something to say that I know will help you live a little better.  If you think about how many times people use that cliché and it’s context, you’ll find something very interesting.  Almost every time we say it, we are making some reference to getting rid of our fear of doing something with a complimentary urge to “do it” right now.  We are saying that life is too short to not do the things you really want to do.  So, as you can imagine, that got me thinking…

How much time do you spend doing things you really don’t want to do?  Or, how many things do you do because you think they are what others expect you to do?  Or, stated in the positive, do you spend most of your time doing the things you enjoy doing; have passion about and want to do?  And of course closely related to those questions, why are you doing the things you are doing?

As I’ve said a hundred times prior, this ol’ world funnels us into well-worn grooves of expectations!  The subtle and not so subtle message is to get in line; shut your mouth and don’t buck the system.  Do acceptable work; make acceptable comments; have acceptable opinions (not your own opinions, but the popular ones) and for goodness sakes, don’t start questioning things.  If a thing doesn’t make sense to you, it’s not because it doesn’t make sense, but rather because you don’t understand it – so again, close your mouth and get in agreement (now!).  The problem with that “go-along to get-along” mindset is that you no longer get to be “you” in the process.  Now on the surface, you may not think this applies to you, so I ask you, give it a little more thought.

People are employed in a line of work they hate, for decades.  Folks are suppressed in unhealthy relationships or subjecting themselves to unhealthy family members for a lifetime.  We laugh when it’s not funny.  We say the food tastes good when it doesn’t.  We nod in agreement to insane political ideas when those views couldn’t be further from our own.  We don’t play the music we like when others are around.  We get college degrees in subjects we cannot stand.  We tip waiters for poor service.  We devote time to reading books we don’t enjoy.  We trudge ourselves to tired church services and participate in nonsensical observances and even pray to a God we are grossly unfamiliar with!  Why?  Because we are afraid, that’s why!  Fear, often confused with terror, is a subtle beast.  We can all recognize the fright we feel when we see a tiger, but do we acknowledge the slipperier version that causes us to do all of the above?   Why would a man work in a job he loathed for twenty years?  He’s afraid that he can’t do anything else?  He’s afraid what his family would say if he quit?  He’s afraid what society might say if he stepped out of line!  Why do folks put up with family members that are toxic and discourage their growth?  Because they are afraid what everyone would think if they stopped coming around.  Fear.  (disclaimer – this does not refer to my family- :-) )  We agree, we cajole, we acquiesce, we agree because we’re so friendly?  Probably not when you get right down to it.  Fear drives a multitude of things we feel obligated to do.  Then there is obligation’s close companion – guilt.  Guilt is just another form of fear manifesting itself as something you need to do because of something you didn’t do; should have done; or to avoid something because of what you did do (or perceive you might have done)!  Fear…

I’m certainly not advocating morphing into a self-centered douche, parading around town looking out for number one only!  I’m suggesting rather that you take the time to consider why you do the things you do.  There really are only two great motives in life – love and fear.  Love works no ill to its neighbor (or to you either for that matter)  Fear starts bad, proceeds bad, and ends bad.  Working out of fear leads to misery.  Working out of love fans the flames of passion.  Saying how you feel out of love leads to understanding and agreement and resolution.  Saying how you feel out of fear leads to arguments and conflict.  Doing things for other people out of love is the very heart of service.  Doing things for people out of fear leads to slavery and bondage and all kinds of mistreatment.

So the simple acid test is to ask yourself why you are doing the thing that you are doing.  Do you want to do it?  If you had a million bucks would you do it?  I’m sure we all have the fantasy of all the wonderful things we would do if we just became rich enough to do it.  And the reason we cannot do it now?  Fear…  And while you are asking yourself these things in the solemn privacy of your mind, take solace in the truth that you can change anything you want to change.  Sure folks will deride you and chastise you and demand you get back to being who you are supposed to be!  But what you owe yourself is to be the “you” you really want to be!  Don’t you think?  People live frustrated, defeated, unsatisfied lives because they spend their precious lives living as someone else. Don’t let that be you, my friend.

Cliche’ alert – At the end of the day, we all have only one life to live and we all only live once (on earth anyway).  Start today by asking yourself why and then get busy modifying and changing what needs to change.  You oughta be able to be “you,” doing “you” in the ways that make “you” the most happy!  YOLO my friends, YOLO!

Just some good thoughts…

 

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As the Seasons Change

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This morning I stepped outside and I knew that summer was on my doorstep. The wind relaxes a little and that early morning chill is slightly less alarming.  Although we are still just beginning spring, summer, at least- in San Diego is making a slow entrance.

One of the many glories of summertime

One of the many glories of summertime

 

As the change of seasons is inevitable, so is all change in this world. We are going to mature, find a new hobby, become more capable, etc. Perhaps we need goals to guide us, or perhaps we need to set our own trend. Just as summer entices us to eat the glowing peaches and nectarines, it is time to entice others to accept this change.

And, why can’t we be like Summer, blowing everyone away with our subtle warmth? In other words, we can be our own trend-setters. Whether it be leading someone towards truth, happiness, or anything else that is good? Any change that works toward preserving the genuine nature of something, is worth dedication.

Sincerely,

Trend-settaaa

 

 

Learning Happiness…

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The human mind is truly a fascinating thing, isn’t it?  Our brains have all this capacity to process information, classify, categorize and the like.  We can store information; retrieve memories and even combine multiple ideas to form new conclusions.  Yet with all of this unlimited mental technology at our fingertips, what do we do?  We let the thing run on autopilot!  You know what I mean!  We opt for less thinking and let our minds run off of previously stored information.  It’s kind of like finding a good way to drive to work and then driving that way every day.  That’s perfectly fine I guess if our first conclusion is enduring, but what happens when there is a need for change?  Or, what happens when we are just plain old bored to death with that same route?  I think that supplies an apt metaphor for human beings; a class I belong to with great pride.  We learn things relatively early on in life (when the time seems ripe for learning) and sort of carry those ideas with us wherever we go.  Of course that is fine if those ideas are good or “enduring” but what if they aren’t?  What if we are applying a lesson of adolescence to adulthood, or worse a lesson of young adulthood to middle age?  What if we have classified so much information that we just don’t need to learn anymore?

My mom used to tell me over and over how smart I was.  At some point, I believed her and now sit here typing with the intellect of a genius (hey, it’s my mind!).  Point being, that not all lessons previously ingrained need revision.  However, many things do need revision.  That black hole of negative conclusions we also formed, those babies need not only revision but elimination.  Just because you have told yourself for twenty-five years that you have to struggle in life because of (_________fill in the blank) doesn’t make it any more true than the first time you considered it!  Just because Sally wouldn’t dance with you at the prom when you were fifteen doesn’t mean that Sally wouldn’t dance with you today; or that you are “unlucky” in love!  Okay, I digress…  Life has been designed (passive voice intended) to function as one large, never-to-be-exhausted classroom with an infinite variety of opportunities for learning.  Those opportunities are literally all around you.  The issue isn’t their existence but rather our capacity to see them.  Seeing as God is the ultimate source of supreme intelligence, it makes sense to my little old brain that He might be constantly employed in teaching us stuff.  Have you ever heard the phrase, “everything happens for a reason?”  Well, I hate to be a “Debbie-Downer” but while everything happens for a reason is true, not everything happens for a good reason!  But you see, our auto-pilot brain just accepted that expression and led us to believe that everything happens for a good reason!  Now we find ourselves in the curious dilemma of trying to find the good in inherently disastrous situations, where no good thing exists.  (Auto-pilot, numb brain, illogical at best!)  The lesson in a terrible, negative consequence is to never do that “thing” again, not to try to find the good in it.  God, who is light, (and in Him is no darkness at all) doesn’t need evil to teach you a lesson anymore than you need to teach your children by doing bad things to them!  God, who is also pure love, seeks to teach you (and me) lessons that will help us win in life.  He knows your issues; He hears your heartfelt petitions and He has cleverly (understatement) placed things all around you to help you to learn.  Your job; my job is to pay attention!  But before we have any shot at paying attention, we have to unload that giant weight called “I already know” and seek to understand.  We have to humble ourselves and recall our “heart of a child” where we saw the most success.  Have you ever been privileged to spend any time with a four-year old?  Those little boys and girls are fertile fields of learning.  Sure they can be easily led astray with their lack of life experience, but how many of us are being led astray because of (not in spite of) our life experience?  How many of us have allowed our minds to idle down and simply stopped questioning things?

Interestingly, there is a huge, inescapable link between learning and happiness.  Learning new things makes us happy.  Rehearsing old things drives us nuts and sucks the very life out of us!  In order to continue growing in life we have to continue learning.  Can you even imagine that at age 51 you have learned all of the useful information there is to know?  Silly huh?  How about 74?  Happiness, true happiness comes from the adventure that is this life.  And, it is proportionately as adventurous as is your capacity to want to learn.  So my advice to you is make the decision to learn again.  Don’t allow the “media-age” to define, classify and categorize your life!  20 year olds aren’t yet smart enough to know they can’t do everything they think they can do.  We should all be that smart, right?!  The truth is that you and I can do just about anything we think we can do, if we are willing to learn something new.  We don’t need to attend Harvard necessarily, but instead seek to understand.  You can escape a “whole-lotta” trial and error if you get God involved.  And, God’s middle name is “Happy” – so maybe we should start there?  (LOL not end there after 30 years)

At the end of the day, our happiness depends not so much on what we have, but rather on what we are learning.  Life is an exciting adventure!  “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”

Just some good thoughts…

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Sun, sea and sand: top holiday destinations

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Christmas might only just be over, but there’s no better way to get you through these bleak, dark and icy days than counting down the days to summer. And there’s no better way to celebrate summer than to jet off to a remote location filled with sun, sea and sand. Here’s our guide to the top holiday destinations to suit every holiday maker, all you have to do is book, pack and unfortunately, wait a little bit longer.

Greece

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Greece has currently been in the media for less than flattering troubles concerning politics and economics, but that was never the reason we loved Greece, and the best parts are still there, if not even more beautiful than before with less tourists clogging up those scenic, winding Greek streets. Greece is bursting with beautiful towns and idyllic islands just waiting to be explored all over again. Enjoy beautiful weather and a laid back atmosphere as you absorb Mediterranean views, weather and a way of life.  Now that demand is low, you can opt for typical tourist hotspots such as Kos and Rhodes or venture to even more breath taking, unspoilt islands such as Astypalaia or Syros; the choice is yours and with 6,000 to choose from you truly are spoilt.

A cultural getaway: Experience history, culture and tradition across these stunning islands, enjoy entertainment and vibrant nightlife in the evenings and don’t forget to spend a day enjoying the sea and sand on one of the countless, majestic beaches. Families will enjoy the beach lifestyle, beautiful weather and friendly atmosphere that fill Greece.

Peru, South America

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Peru is a Latin country draped in beauty and intrigue. Machu Pichu, Lima and the Amazon River, not forgetting the globally renowned Peruvian cuisine. Peru is surely a spot to delight and amaze the senses, offering epic wildlife scenes and vast, untouched, open spaces, whilst also offering some of the most awe-inspiring sights in the world. This is the perfect spot for anyone interested in great wonders of the world be it nature, sightseeing, culture, history or food. It also hosts 3,000 festivals a year so no matter what time you chose to visit there should definitely be a street party or two to get you acquainted with the city and the locals.

A travellers’ Paradise: A true travellers’ paradise perfectly equipped with hostels, maps and plenty of sights off the beaten track. Discover wanders of the world, sample exquisite tastes and discover local wildlife, all in the one trip. Solo travellers will enjoy the adventure of Peru with plenty of affordable accommodation, plenty of adventurers have also stopped in Peru to live and work, often teaching English in private schools.

Cape Town, South Africa

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South Africa might not be renowned for tourism, but such a beautiful and majestic country is often over looked in terms of holiday destinations. A remarkable spot blending the best of superb wildlife, awe inspiring views and the luxuries of modern, city living draws together an amazing Cape Town which is just waiting to be enjoyed. Cape Town offers religious quarters, traditional districts and customs, party regions, vineyards, shopping centres, open beaches and vast scenes of nature. Whatever you’re looking for in a holiday, you’re sure to discover that and more in Cape Town.

A Secret Escape: A truly remarkable part of the world offering something for everyone. It’s not everywhere you can enjoy some of the most breath taking sights and unforgettable scenes of nature before strolling around the shops and enjoying bargain beers. Cape Town offers everything from craft markets to Clifton, coined ‘millionaires row.’

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ALL ABOUT WATER LILIES

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Water lilies are some of the most beautiful flowers in nature, favored for their delicate beauty and feminine touch. They have been revered ever since the time of ancient Greece. Their botanical name derives from the Greek nymphs, the water deities who had exquisite beauty, eternal beauty and innocent nature. Because of these features water lilies are often associated with cold-heartedness and celibacy. The flower has both male and female stages in its reproduction, like many other flowers. It’s a flower that brings controversial and mixed feelings because of its symbolism, but without doubt catches the attention.

Water Lilies

Water lily is often associated with the changing mood of women, their beauty on the outside, but at time coldness on the inside. Water lilies are available nowadays as cut flowers and they are quite popular favored for their exotic shape and gentle appeal. They have the habit of opening and closing depending on the light and the temperature which makes them quite unreliable for important events, such as weddings and outdoor parties. If you want to make use of these pretty flowers it’s best to put them in water to float. This is their natural state and the effect will be stunning. You can add large leaves and other greenery to make the natural illusion better. These flowers are true marvel of nature. They require plenty of water and sunlight to thrive beautifully. You can find two types of water lilies – tropical and hardy. The hardy water lilies thrive with the bloom sitting on top of the water, whereas the tropical one has a stem which rises above the water. The hardy type can resist bad weather conditions such as severe frost if they are planted at least 35 cm below underwater. More sunlight exposure will result in a bigger number of blooms – this means at least half a day of direct sunshine. In terms of planting, make sure that you don’t put them straight on the pond’s bottom, but instead use a shallow wide dish. This way it makes it easier to lift each bloom individually and to divide them.

Water Lilies_1

When you plant the water lily in a pot, all you have to do is lift it and take it out of the water to work easily. You will need a pot that’s 30 cm wide and 12 cm high. Put three tablets of slow-release fertilizer on the bottom of each pot and fill with three parts of good loam. Plant the rhizome off the center and pad the soil with your fingers. The rest of the pot should be filled with washed sand – this insures that the nutrients don’t get washed away and the water in the pond remains clear as well. Water lilies in a pond will need at least half of a square meter of their own area. Make sure you don’t crowd them too much as they won’t receive enough sunlight. The water lilies in the pond will increase so you will have to divide them every couple of years. They are in bloom from November to March if you leave in a southern country and even longer in northern ones. You can choose from a variety of bright and pretty colours – lemon, yellow, pink, apricot, white, red. You can create a magical atmosphere by adding a few solar lamps next to your pond. They will illuminate the beautiful flowers and turn your garden into an enchanted little place.

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The Healing Power of Nature

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An effort to inspire all people on their life path for the strengthening of heart, mind, and soul.

The beauty and truth of our being, the human being, is that we are not separate from any of the good of the loving creation within our spiritual essence.  Our living body is complete—subject to the laws of Nature, as our being (as in human being) is in transcendence (living interconnectedness) with all of living creation.
 
Free Download available only on THE GOOD WORD

Wholistic Villanelles

Food To Life Protecting You: Sonnets For Life

 

Snow water

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Great images of snow and water, hope you are all safe and warm and ready to begin the new year. Thought I would add a poem by Emily Dickinson called The Snow that never drifts.
The Snow that never drifts –
The transient, fragrant snow
That comes a single time a Year
Is softly driving now –

So thorough in the Tree
At night beneath the star
That it was February’s Foot
Experience would swear –

Like Winter as a Face
We stern and former knew
Repaired of all but Loneliness
By Nature’s Alibit –

Were every storm so spice
The Value could not be –
We buy with contrast — Pang is good
As near as memory –

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