A Change in Attitude

Before I begin, please let me explain the choice of graphic. I mean no disrespect to the initial content of this Post but I did feel it offered a humorous illustration of the point I was hoping to make. Sometimes it is only humor which eases the course of our days.

I recently came across a line in one of my readings that called to mind a twist on a lesson that I was particularly fond of when I was teaching full-time. It involved the Sermon on the Mount and the directives that Jesus gave to guide us in the behaviours that would allow for a more compassionate understanding as to how we should ideally relate in all our social encounters. In the traditional form these were called The Beatitudes but I chose a slightly different emphasis on the word and called them The Be-Attitudes. By examining the scripture and looking at it with a more current "take" I hoped my students would see how we could adapt Jesus' words in our day to day lives. It proved quite successful and I was always most impressed with the insight that these young people were able to bring to lessons in such a way that the "attitudes" were doable in their own lives.

That said, the twist that caused me to stop and ponder, offered this:" Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape". Now, there is one to emulate. So much of the conflict and chaos that we encounter or create comes about because we are so set in our ways.I cannot think of any area in our lives that would not benefit from increased flexibility. That is all I wish to say. I am going to ask that if you can think of any other" attitude" that we could "be" that would result in a happier and more open approach to others, please leave it as a comment. I will wait meekly with a mercifully pure and peaceful heart for your response. Thank-you.

A Revolution in our Resolution

Ernest Hemingway once said, "Not everything that appears to be broken needs to be fixed. In fact, some of us are strong at the broken places!" We strive so hard to BE or to APPEAR perfect when, in reality, our human weaknesses and foibles are what allows us to feel compassion and connection to all the souls we encounter. We try so hard to smooth over the cracks that we perceive in our physical and spiritual beings that we fail to consider or realize that it is through the cracks that light, and maybe life-giving water, emanates.

A character( Grandma Rose) whom I encountered in a recent novel used a wonderful analogy to clarify this concept. The farm area in which the story was set was undergoing a rather severe drought and the soil was extremely dry. There were the usual assortment of tins and buckets outside the house. There was a really beautiful painted container that had been a valued gift, and then there were the usual dented and broken pots, most with an assortment of little holes. When the rain finally arrived, Grandma Rose took her two granddaughters out behind the farmhouse and asked them to look at the pots and the area around them. The beautiful container still looked good from a distance but the soil around it was dry and lifeless. Now, the broken and dented pots also looked the same BUT the soil around the was sprouting new life, thanks to the accumulated water that had seeped though the holes! Leave the striving for perfection. It's a waste of time and energy. Look at our cracks and let the light and water through.

As we begin a new year with its regulation resolutions to lose weight, exercise, stop spending foolishly, clean our abodes (and our commodes) with greater diligence, why not resolve to simply Be Kind to ourselves and everyone we encounter on this journey we call Life. Embrace the holes and recognize how truly "holy" they maybe. What do you think?

A Christmas Thought

I recently came across a tidbit of information that caused me to stop and think. It was found in Mark Nepo's Book of Awakening. It describes the first form of pencil as simply a ball of lead. Now it became evident that if this ball was scratched upon a surface, it would leave a mark. The effect was good; the process was not.
Gradually, as this tool was whittled to conform to the shape of the human hand, the ability to write and communicate became much easier. So it is with each of us as we move through this world and the people we encounter along the way. Imagine we are each like a ball of lead. We try to leave a mark that indicates to the other our intentions of love and connection. The cumbersome shape, though, does not allow for very clear communication. As we whittle this ball of lead through our trials, tribulations, challenges, acts of forgiveness, and moments of grace, we realize that the "point" of this work is to create a sacred tool that touches each one with the knowledge that we have finally come to a genuine understanding of what our love means.
I feel as we enter this Blessed Season that the message that The Child brought through His willingness to enter a human life is that what we craft from the raw material of our lives, like the pencil from the ball of lead, is precious and the gift we give to the world. The tool may be sharp but the message is hopefully soft and compassionate.
May you all know the deep and abiding joy and peace that is the essence of this Christmas time. May we all continue to strive for the lasting closeness which gives this life its meaning and encourages us to continue to leave our mark.
Blessings to you and all you love.

What changes our lives

I remember hearing a very sage comment many years ago and at the time I wasn't really sure how accurate it was. As the years have sped by, I can truly say that it was eminently true. It was expressed that we learn from the people we meet and the books we read. That said, I have been blessed to have people in my life who have introduced me to books which have had a dramatic effect on my life, thereby, effectively combining the two.

About three years ago I met a young (Grade 10) student in a religion class at a local high school. He was reading a book which had captured his attention and he graciously shared his thoughts with me. One of the joys of supplying in the high schools is the opportunity to listen to the thoughts of so many extraordinary young people. The book in question was" The Disappearance of the Universe" by Gary R. Renard.To say that this treatise has had an impact is a massive understatement. Both Max and I have a copy and we have read it twice to date. I will be returning to it in the new year. Its message is so simple but so unlike the standard dogmas of organized religions. Enough said. If this intrigues, you can read the introductory pages online.

The other author who has been a constant in my morning meditations, Iyanla Vanzant, has written another book, "Until Today", which was given to me by a very dear friend and which has come to be a reflection of the challenges and issues which continue to plague me. Her words often seem to be directed specifically to me which offers the added comfort of knowing I am not alone.

The last book which I will mention is "The Book of Awakening" by Mark Nepo. The author is a poet and that will be abundantly clear as you read and absorb the ethereal and mystical observations he makes on the human condition and the journey we all must travel. This book will truly take your breath away.

It has been such a long time since I felt the urge to communicate through this Blog but I hope these musings will encourage you to explore some books that I believe will enrich your life and give you pause to consider how interconnected we all are.

May this Blessed Season and the coming New Year bring you peace, joy, friendship, and knowledge to know and to share.

The "Other" Help

I recently heard that coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. With this in mind,two situations occurred a few days ago that caused me to think that this might be a train of thought worth pursuing,
I came across a quote in one of my daily readings that touched a chord: "Teachers arise from somewhere within me that is beyond me, the way the dark soil that is not the root holds and feeds the flower." Later that same day, Max and I were walking in Hamilton and a group of young people were interviewing passersby about their feelings regarding the place of mentorship. I wondered if the action of established individuals in assisting those just beginning their professional lives might not be like the soil that supports the root and allows it to take valuable nutrition (information) which in turn enables the plant (person) to grow effectively.
Apart from the idea of mentorship and teaching only being in the prescribed confines of a classroom or a boardroom, what about the daily opportunities we have to share valuable insights without even being aware. We can engage in any number of personal interactions which may have a positive effect beyond what may be immediately evident: a smile, a courteous word or action, a thoughtful gesture to a stranger may make a difference beyond anything we might imagine or even intend. Often what we remember is the fact that someone cared to notice and act.
There was a catch phrase a few years ago which is still very true today: every day contains innumerable opportunities for random acts of selfless kindness. I can think of no better way to mentor the world. Do you agree?

Planted or potted?

Having just passed the traditional garden planting weekend, I would like to offer a thought for your consideration. Are you planted or potted? I came across this distinction in one of my favourite meditation tomes by Iylana Vanzant and it struck a chord.

Potted plants can be knocked over or turned over and very easily uprooted. A strong wind or careless movement may destroy a potted plant. They may be very beautiful to look at, but they are fragile. They require intensive care and they die easily under adverse conditions.

Things which are planted have strong roots. They are usually outdoors and able to withstand the winds and the storms. When something is planted, it makes the best of adverse conditions by grabbing on to whatever is available until things get better. When something is planted, it may be nibbled on by varmints; it may be stepped on by the careless; it will be pushed and prodded, but never uprooted. Planting requires reliance on God. Potting is subject to the whims of humans.

I suppose that I would wish for all who read this to have the strong roots of the planted and the glorious foliage of the potted. What do you think?

Let's put the FUN in funky

I recently came across a quote by cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien which tickled my fancy. She mused that her grandmother told her, " Never hide your green hair-they can see it anyway. "

Serendipity struck almost immediately when I found myself dutifully doing my time on the treadmill at the gym in front of the TV. I looked up and what should I see but book editor Sandra Martin discussing her latest effort while sporting brilliant green hair! Now this is not a trendy young woman but a lady of "a certain age". No hiding here, just a joyous acceptance of a very personal style. Right on sister!

Maybe it is time, as the lighthearted season of spring is upon us, to look at how we can express ourselves in a new way and celebrate our own unique style. Now I am not advocating anything as daring as green hair but I am sure we could all benefit from taking a few well chosen chances. Let your imagination go. What would you suggest to make your statement? I leave this one up to you. Let me know. I, for one, am hunting down a wildly floral dress, and yes, I hope it helps me break out of the overly cautious choices I tend to make. Be on the lookout!

Giggles

I am feeling the call of the milder weather and an increasing lightness of spirit as well as clothing. With that in mind, I am simply going to offer some gentler observations for your consideration.

Whenever I have to choose between two evils, I always like to try the one I haven't tried before. (Mae West)

Sound really does travel slower than light- that advice parents give to their eighteen year old doesn't reach them until they are about forty. ( Anonymous)

Truth is more of a stranger than fiction. (Mark Twain)

In the Book of Life, the answers aren't in the back. (Charlie Brown)

Reporters interviewing a 104 year old woman: " What do you think is the best thing about being 104?" She simply replied, "No peer pressure"

Why are there five syllables in the word monosyllable?

Black Holes are where God divided by zero.( Steven Wright)

The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

Breaking free!

After having experienced the delightful meteorological respite of last Friday I thought of how anxiously we await the days when we can finally doff our winter duds and embrace a less encumbered body. What though of the emotional layers that we carry: the secrets we hide, the poor choices that haunt our daily life, the foolish actions which our pride keeps us from acknowledging? Do these weigh us down as effectively as woolens and leather? Do they keep us in a box of restrictions?

I recently came across a wonderful quote in a novel I was reading. It describes a young woman on the brink of discovering her place in the world. It resonated with me so strongly that I would like to share it with you and see how you feel.

Maybe her secrets and misgivings have not yet driven themselves through her skin to pop out on the surface of her life.

I am fascinated by this image of all the hidden foibles of our lives needing to rupture the protective coating of our public person in order for us to fly free psychically as well as physically. I also know that we cannot do this on our own. A loving and understanding hand, extended across our barriers is the transport that will propel us upward. Like a Jack-in-the-Box, finally released by a child's hand, we will bounce joyfully free. What a wonderful way to embrace a new 'spring' season! Would you agree?

As we approach the celebration of Valentine's Day and all its inherent romantic, commercial excess, I wonder what we really think it means to love someone.

I received a missive recently in which children were asked, "What does love mean?" As I was reading through it, I was brought up short by this observation from a four year old! He said that when someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth. My heart skipped a beat. In its childlike simplicity, can you imagine anything more profound? We take into ourselves the true essence of our loved one and within our being they know a feeling of warmth, acceptance, and security. Their spirit as well as their body is safe with us. In fact, the two cannot be separated.

May the loving way in which you speak the name of your beloved(s) this Valentine's Day and every day forward be uttered with the constant, gentle, and innocent expression of our truest feelings. What do you think?

Up front, I want to be clear. I truly enjoy a juicy blueberry, strawberry , or a raspberry. I frequent my local liberry, and I own many pieces of art by Gilberry. However, I do not own a BlackBerry. How have I survived organizing my daily commitments in order to write this?

I am now quite enthralled with my little iPod, but do not own an iPhone or an iPad. The only Facebook I see is if I am looking at a tome on make-up tricks. The only Twitter I really enjoy is the one the birds make when Max goes out to feed them.

Today, too often the only communication we seem capable of is with our thumbs. On that note I would like to give a" thumbs up" to Charles Dickens, who penned this thought over 150 years ago. Could this be the ghost of Communication Present reminding us of Communication Past and cautioning us to be wary of Communication Future?

"Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone, who with their soul, encourages another person to be brave and true."

I do recognize the value in personal electronic communication. Otherwise you would not be reading this. However, would you agree that, given a choice, you would rather share time with a person than with a qwerty?

A Revelation for Your Resolution

As we begin a new year it seems we are inundated with media calls to make the dreaded New Year's Resolution. The problem I have with this is that it assumes that we are somehow not right the way we are. Now, I do realize that we all have room for improvement in our lives but I wonder if it is necessary to make the major changes that are trumpeted from the rooftops.

I will offer for your consideration this option. We are each totally unique human beings and this is stamped most effectively in our DNA. At one time I did look up the scientific meaning for this acronym and my eyesight as well as my mind boggled at the actual word. How about this possibility? Our DNA allows us to Discover New Attitudes. Great! Now, watch what happens when we change one small letter. Simply change the first "t" in attitudes to a "p" and we now are able to Discover New Aptitudes. Wait, it gets better. Now change the "p" to an "l" and we can now Discover New Altitudes. The sky can be the limit, one small letter and one small step at a time. What do you think?

Ho! Ho! Hold the Thought

I wanted something a little more lighthearted and festive in this Musing so I have this Christmas Wish to offer you. (Hum along to the tune of "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas")

Have yourself a Max and Mary Christmas

May your Yule be Cool(e)

Joy and fellowship is the Christmas Golden Rule.

Have yourself a Max and Mary Christmas

May your hearts be light

Our feelings of gratitude burn long and bright.

Here we are not in olden days but in wiser ways I'm sure.

Having known treasured friends like you

Makes the road we tread safe and secure.

Have yourself a Max and Mary Christmas

A last thought for you:

May magic and miracles bless you the whole year through

And every hope and dream you have come true!

The Deepest Valley on the Highest Mountain

I am humbled and inspired by the moments of grace that touch my life. It is a source of awe to me that so often a person, a book, a song, or a passing comment will open up a new way of thinking or dealing with an issue that is stressing my life. The following passage was part of a recent daily meditation and it struck a very deep cord, especially when combined with the message of a book that I had just finished. I will let you judge for yourself if it has meaning for you.
Your blessings have your name on them; so do your lessons! Your greatest blessing appears before you cleverly disguised as your most difficult challenge, as your greatest obstacle, or as an extremely negative experience you are forced to handle all by yourself. What a blessing! What a blessed opportunity to face the truth, forgive yourself and others, practise faith, develop trust, be still, and know," Right where I am, God is!"

This passage from a recent reading in my most coveted spiritual guide, Faith in the Valley, was made all the more poignant and relevant as its message was echoed in another thought altering book that was recommended by my stalwart friend, Sonja. This book, Miracle in the Andes, gives a first-person account of what transpired following the crash of the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team into a desolate and brutal glacier in the Andes. The details are harrowing and the experiences are beyond anything we can imagine. Yet the overriding message is totally life affirming in the face of devastating loss. That message is that what truly matters is love: love of family, love of friends, love of God. These young men faced almost insurmountable obstacles and when they realized that help would not be coming and that outside rescue was not possible, they banded together and scaled this highest mountain from the depths of this deepest valley. In this spiritual and emotional valley they did indeed have to face the truth of their situation and themselves. They had to forgive themselves and others. They had to practise faith, develop trust, be still and truly know that where they were, God was with them as the source of the love which kept them alive as they sought to find a way home. They learned to take each day one breath and one step at a time. We each deal with valleys in our lives and we should be ever grateful that we will never have to endure what these young men had to. Yet, for what ever our valley experiences, may the lessons of their struggle and the resulting awareness be a guiding light as we travel out of our valley into the light of the absolute love that awaits.

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

I really appreciate the responses I am receiving from those who are reading these Musings and taking the trouble to post a comment. At this point it is just two very stalwart friends but this is to formally let you know that you both are an example of the kind of connection I was referring to in the previous Blog. This is also sent as an opportunity for me to practise uploading a new graphic on my own. I think it is a most appropriate image for the way I feel when I read your comments. Thank-you so much!

The Joy of Christmas Presence

No, it is not a spelling mistake and, yes, I love to give and get the actual presents as much as anyone. This Blessed time of year is indeed a time to rejoice in the blessings that fill our lives as well as our closets and cupboards. The first Christmas was the ultimate gift from God to his children on earth and has been represented by loving offerings ever since. Sometimes though, I wonder if the gift of ourselves is the one that can mean the most. It is very easy to shop the malls (well not if you hate crowds) but the act of making ourselves available to those we love and care for can open us to a joy that cannot be purchased with the swipe of a card. Maybe this year we can wrap up: time to talk, time to remember, time to plan, time to dream, time to forgive, and time to reconnect with those, whose lives like ours, can be so consumed with the daily minutiae of modern living. Samuel Johnson noted that " To improve the golden moment of opportunity and to catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life." May we open ourselves to this golden moment and may its light illuminate not just our Christmas but the whole year to come. Do you think it's possible?

Phantom Fantasy ?

As we are approaching the time of year when ghosts and goblins and all thing unworldly seem to be in evidence and actually quite celebrated, my mind is drawn to how we allow the unreal to so influence the real in our lives. I suppose it is easy to dismiss much of the gory and gruesome as truly beyond the realm of possibility, but what of the equally destructive fear based behaviours that we allow to govern our thoughts and actions.We can shrug off the ghouls we see on our doorstep on Halloween night but what of the monsters that invade our waking hours and keep us from accepting and embracing the opportunities that come our way. I once read that fear is False Expectations Appearing Real! How easy to acknowledge this acronym and how difficult to consider separating the letters into another possibility....... Fervent Energy Abolishing Restrictions!! As the light of day casts aside the phantoms of the night, maybe the light of a different outlook can cast aside the phantoms in our mind. Is it worth a try?

Can you make heads or tails of this?

As I am still musing about the proliferation of puny-sized personal Pods and phones, I came across a description of radio when it was first introduced. People were obviously having difficulty understanding how it worked and the eminent Albert Einstein came up with a very scientific and, if I do say so myself, reasonable explanation: You see, wire telegraph is a kind of very, very long cat. You put his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? Well, radio operates in exactly the same way. You send signals here and they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat! Too bad, since often the sounds emanating from the cat are far more pleasing than those heard on the radio. Can you believe we have come so far in the ability to miniaturize our communication? Come to think of it, the cat is one of our smaller animal friends. Was Einstein right? What do you think??

Singing the Blues?

It is with some chagrin that I admit to being a very recent convert to the joys and freedom of an iPod. I am now in the process of transferring hundreds of songs to an instrument the size of a small chocolate bar.(Chocolate can be applied to ANYTHING).

In the course of going through the numerous CDs we have, I turned my thoughts to the jazz I love and thought you might be interested in a quote from the legendary Duke Ellington: "I merely took the energy it takes to pout and wrote some blues".

Can you imagine what might be accomplished with the challenges in our lives if we only looked at how they could be transformed into something totally outside the box of our preconceived notions. I suppose it takes the patience and courage to wait them through and then see what appears. Clarity tends to come long after our immediate response has mellowed. Even though the prospect of a good sit and pout has some appeal, can you imagine the release of an even better jumping jive! Good exercise and good karma.

A Sober Thought

As we begin a new school year, I cast my mind back to the days when I was preparing to welcome a new class of students. I realize we were both approaching this time with some trepidation. New experiences can be a testing ground for all the wonderful resolutions we have regarding our need to be, as well as appear, in control. We put on our masks and face the world and then wonder why we are not experiencing the satisfaction we feel we should. Peer pressure is acknowledged to be a very real part of a student's life, yet it exists in everyone's life and often determines how we react in any given situation. We want so much to be respected and admired that we often acquiesce to what the "group" dictates, forgetting that they too are operating under the same false set of rules. We fear words against us as if they were actual blows. I offer this thought when such a situation arises. It comes from a cherished book, Faith In The Valley, by inspirational writer, Iyanla Vanzant, whose words have guided me over many years: It's not what people call me, it's what I answer to that counts. Disregard the negative calls and answer with kindness in all events and see what happens. Such a simple concept, and one, which embraced, can effect such a change in how we handle some of life's challenges. Would you agree?