Mornin'
I was quietly contemplating my day ahead and some of my life this morning when a thought came to me concerning my life as it is today. I don't have too many materialistic distractions to cloud my connection to the Great Spirit and therefore find it easier than probably most to have basically a constant connection with the this Spirit.
That's neither here nor there. The important thing I want to impart on all of you is my discovery that I struggle with people, principalities, and situations far less than even just a few months ago. After 46 years swimming against the current, I am finally internalizing what the old folks used to exude throughout my whole life. There was a certain peace and serenity about them that I wanted badly yet refused to investigate why they felt the way they did and how did they accomplish such a daunting task. Instead of asking them what they did to be in the mental and emotional state they were in, I, like many others, thought I had all the answers and could figure it all out.
I spent all my life turning over rocks in search of the magical component to life. After many years I realized that the answer to my dilemma was with me the whole time. What the older, wiser folks had was nothing more than wisdom from their and others' experiences in life. Like them, it was only when I had gone through my experiences in life did I gain the wisdom those folks had. Although I don't consider myself very wise, I do feel the peace and serenity that comes to me in my daily life stems from the wisdom of having lived half my life.
The beauty of discovering this at, the Great Spirit willing, the halfway point in my life gives me much hope that the latter days of my existence will be less bumpy than the previous ones. I get excited daily to wake up and live my little humble existence. I have a window of time when I will be off work and can work on projects that interest me. I love to write and continue to do so. Trying my hands at website design has always been a goal of mine as well. My hope is that anyone who reads this blog relates to some of its contents and can move to a better place within themselves and the world in which we live.
Peace
Friday, January 24, 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Agape Love
Mornin'
Agape love - selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications (especially love that is spiritual in nature). - www.thefreedictionary.com/agape+love
I am sure you are all aware of the love you extend to you spouse, child, friend, parent, and even your higher power. This usually includes varying degrees of agape love. What often goes overlooked but is the most difficult yet crucial aspects of a complete spiritual life is the love of an enemy or someone who simply does not view life the way you do.
There is an abundance of reasons why we think we should not like someone. Is it something they said or did to us that keeps the poison of resentment surging through our veins. Or is it just that they seem to be different in so many ways? It could be a physical, psychological, or emotional difference. Whatever reasons you give for shutting someone out or bickering with them every chance you get, there simply is no reason to entertain the concept of "contempt prior to investigation".
The only way to truly get to know another individual and find out what really makes them tick is to transcend the obstacle of fear. Whether it be the fear or rejection or retribution, this obstacle must be overcome if we are to know the real beauty that resides in every human being.
Each person, no matter how sinister their thoughts and actions are, has a unique place or "soft spot" in their soul which beauty resides. This place is much more difficult to see and accept in the individual who prides themselves on their murderous rampages or bullying others to act a certain way. I understand this. In order to forgive individuals of this sort and even begin to uncover the beauty in their souls, we must first start with other less intense situations that we find ourselves in with other people.
As with anything else we try to master in life, we need to begin with the basics and work our way up to the worst of the worst. Remember, all this begins and ends with a commitment to put our selfish desires aside so we can do the work that is oftentimes far more important than our wants. This is a need if ever we want to exude the love we see in the people that have gone before us.
In my experience with this putting aside self to try to understand and love those who I never thought I could love, other people seemed to improve. What really happened was that my attitude and outlook changed but the only physical evidence was in my interactions with other people. Along with increased compatibility in my improved relations with others, I lost a lot of the feelings that I was apart from instead of apart of a wide swath of individuals.
My increased love and interaction with folks I would not typically "hang out with" has added much positive energy to my daily routine. I enjoy other people's company more because I understand them better. I don't even have to understand them these days to love them in an agape kind of way. Agape love teaches me to love another individual unconditionally. Just as I need others to accept me for exactly who I am, so do I need to accept them for who they are. Love is such a highly protected concept. Too many people are unwilling to freely give it to others.
There are certainly degrees of love we can give to one another. The love you give your child, spouse, or parent may not seem to be the same kind you give a emotionally challenged person on the bus or in the grocery store. The fact remains that love takes on many forms but the core concept of love never changes. It is a strong or constant affection for a person. The only things that stand in our way of truly expressing our love for all people is our pride, ego, and our agenda. Take time to open your heart to the agape love that transcends all other human emotion.
Peace
Agape love - selfless love of one person for another without sexual implications (especially love that is spiritual in nature). - www.thefreedictionary.com/agape+love
I am sure you are all aware of the love you extend to you spouse, child, friend, parent, and even your higher power. This usually includes varying degrees of agape love. What often goes overlooked but is the most difficult yet crucial aspects of a complete spiritual life is the love of an enemy or someone who simply does not view life the way you do.
There is an abundance of reasons why we think we should not like someone. Is it something they said or did to us that keeps the poison of resentment surging through our veins. Or is it just that they seem to be different in so many ways? It could be a physical, psychological, or emotional difference. Whatever reasons you give for shutting someone out or bickering with them every chance you get, there simply is no reason to entertain the concept of "contempt prior to investigation".
The only way to truly get to know another individual and find out what really makes them tick is to transcend the obstacle of fear. Whether it be the fear or rejection or retribution, this obstacle must be overcome if we are to know the real beauty that resides in every human being.
Each person, no matter how sinister their thoughts and actions are, has a unique place or "soft spot" in their soul which beauty resides. This place is much more difficult to see and accept in the individual who prides themselves on their murderous rampages or bullying others to act a certain way. I understand this. In order to forgive individuals of this sort and even begin to uncover the beauty in their souls, we must first start with other less intense situations that we find ourselves in with other people.
As with anything else we try to master in life, we need to begin with the basics and work our way up to the worst of the worst. Remember, all this begins and ends with a commitment to put our selfish desires aside so we can do the work that is oftentimes far more important than our wants. This is a need if ever we want to exude the love we see in the people that have gone before us.
In my experience with this putting aside self to try to understand and love those who I never thought I could love, other people seemed to improve. What really happened was that my attitude and outlook changed but the only physical evidence was in my interactions with other people. Along with increased compatibility in my improved relations with others, I lost a lot of the feelings that I was apart from instead of apart of a wide swath of individuals.
My increased love and interaction with folks I would not typically "hang out with" has added much positive energy to my daily routine. I enjoy other people's company more because I understand them better. I don't even have to understand them these days to love them in an agape kind of way. Agape love teaches me to love another individual unconditionally. Just as I need others to accept me for exactly who I am, so do I need to accept them for who they are. Love is such a highly protected concept. Too many people are unwilling to freely give it to others.
There are certainly degrees of love we can give to one another. The love you give your child, spouse, or parent may not seem to be the same kind you give a emotionally challenged person on the bus or in the grocery store. The fact remains that love takes on many forms but the core concept of love never changes. It is a strong or constant affection for a person. The only things that stand in our way of truly expressing our love for all people is our pride, ego, and our agenda. Take time to open your heart to the agape love that transcends all other human emotion.
Peace
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
How dependent are you?
Mornin'
Think, for a moment, about just how dependent you are on technology. I took this issue for granted until I was recently a victim of malware or a computer virus. Let me tell ya, those little boogers can really reap havoc not only on computers, but also the operators. I never realized the significance of computers in my life and the lives of all those around me until my computer got a virus. I could not help but think of the catastrophic effects of major problems with the more powerful computers that basically control daily activity in society today.
Well, I was extremely grateful to know that we have plenty of techies in this world who know how to rectify countless computer issues. Granted, there are some viruses and other problems that completely destroy computers and cause millions of dollars in damages. Fortunately, the technician I contacted seemed to be able to fix the issue I had on my laptop and I am once again navigating through cyber space.
I must say that I may have been guilty of initiating the attack. I was careless in opening unfamiliar files like music and visiting websites that were probably not safe. The lesson I learned is to cherish my computer. It is one of the most important assets I have and it needs to be kept safe. Caution needs to be my top priority when operating this asset. Think before you "click".
Peace
Sunday, January 19, 2014
When I get angry...
Mornin'
When I used to get angry, I would shut people out and "show them". There have even been times when I would do things to "get back at them". They usually got back at me. For the longest time, I could never figure out why I ended up hurting more than others and for longer periods of time as a direct result of how I handled a situation. When I even think about getting back at someone or wishing they would "get theirs", I have already shot myself in the foot before I even get out of the gate.
This best solution I have found for this problem is to take some time to assess a situation before I jump into action. I realize this is tough and may seem nearly impossible in situations involving intense feelings and difficult issues. It is possible and you can do it. For example, I had a monstrous issue in dealing with other people who were not "living up to my standards". I found myself always judging them and thinking I knew what they needed to do to "act right". After several years of frustration which boiled over into anger that manifested itself in various ways, I thought to myself: "How can I make this problem go away?"
The answer surely came and I was not too happy with the part I would have to play in it. Instead of judging others and thinking I knew what was wrong with them, I focused my attention on my track record. I realized that I had plenty of "issues" that needed my attention from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning until I lay my head on my pillow at night. In doing this, I also discovered that I had very little time to focus on other people's issues and needed to focus more on my own.
I can honestly say that I am a much happier and peaceful person as the result of addressing this issue. Sure, I still engage in old behaviors but I at least have that place I can go to to heal my emotions and broken spirit. Good luck on this if you attempt it.
Peace
When I used to get angry, I would shut people out and "show them". There have even been times when I would do things to "get back at them". They usually got back at me. For the longest time, I could never figure out why I ended up hurting more than others and for longer periods of time as a direct result of how I handled a situation. When I even think about getting back at someone or wishing they would "get theirs", I have already shot myself in the foot before I even get out of the gate.
This best solution I have found for this problem is to take some time to assess a situation before I jump into action. I realize this is tough and may seem nearly impossible in situations involving intense feelings and difficult issues. It is possible and you can do it. For example, I had a monstrous issue in dealing with other people who were not "living up to my standards". I found myself always judging them and thinking I knew what they needed to do to "act right". After several years of frustration which boiled over into anger that manifested itself in various ways, I thought to myself: "How can I make this problem go away?"
The answer surely came and I was not too happy with the part I would have to play in it. Instead of judging others and thinking I knew what was wrong with them, I focused my attention on my track record. I realized that I had plenty of "issues" that needed my attention from the moment I opened my eyes in the morning until I lay my head on my pillow at night. In doing this, I also discovered that I had very little time to focus on other people's issues and needed to focus more on my own.
I can honestly say that I am a much happier and peaceful person as the result of addressing this issue. Sure, I still engage in old behaviors but I at least have that place I can go to to heal my emotions and broken spirit. Good luck on this if you attempt it.
Peace
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