On a most glorious autumn day last week I opted to go for a walk in the park. The leaves had begun to turn into the fall colors and I was enjoying Nature at its finest. Soon I became aware of some kind of event going on in  another part of the park located away from the walking path I was on. Staying true to my curious nature I ambled on over to see what was going on. Turned out it was an event called BUDDY WALK, an event designed to bring awareness of kids with Downs Syndrome and other childhood illnesses. My timing was impeccable as they were just getting ready to begin the walk through the park. Even though I had not registered  for the walk I just jumped in the middle and took off with all of them. We had a good hike with moms, dads, kids with disabilities, and kids that seemed to be healthy. After the half hour or so walk I sat down on a bench and this thought came to me. The past few months I have watched as people have been campaigning for the upcoming elections in November. They seem very sincere in their efforts to help their candidate of choice to win . Now I'm not into the political scene myself but I am amazed at the ardor and fierceness with which folks go about defending their candidate. And I'm sure that is the way it should be. But my thought was this: What if everybody would exert the same amount of effort and fierceness to just volunteer  to contribute to just one charity of their choice. If everyone would do that with the same amount of gusto as they do in politicing just think how much good a worthy charity could benefit. I got no problem with people campaigning  but I'd bet the farm that more good would come from helping a charity. But then again, what do I know? Here's hoping your candidate wins and that he or she will generously support many worthwhile charities.

Tao Te Ching

I share with you the following verse from the Tao Te Ching.




When people see some things as beautiful ,
Other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good,
Other things become bad.


Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.
High and low depend on each other.
Before and after follow each other.


 Therefore the Master acts without doing anything,
 and teaches without saying anything.
 Things arise and she lets then come;
Things disappear and she lets them go


She has but doesn't possess,
Acts but doesn't expect.
When her work is done she forgets it.
That is why it last forever.

SEEKING FREEDOM

In Carlos Castaneda's book The Art of Dreaming he asks don Juan Matus  what is the driving force for one to live life as  a warrior. His reply was: "To seek freedom is the only driving force I know. Freedom to fly off into that infinity out there. Freedom to dissolve; to lift off; to be like the flame of a candle, which, in spite of being up against the light of a billion stars, remains intact, because it never pretended to be more than what it is: a mere candle."




I suppose each of us have our personal definition of what freedom means to us. I honestly feel that to be absolutely free in this "unfree" world one must first decide what kind of human being they wish to be and then remain true to themselves without placing expectations on anyone else. My sincere hope is that all of you have found your personal freedom and that with it comes the most loving and peaceful life you could have hoped for. Share love, accept love, be love, for that is truly all any of us are! Let your Love Light shine!

THE FIRE FROM WITHIN

Today I want to share with you a quote from the book The Fire From Within by Carlos Castaneda.


"There is no completeness without sadness and longing, for without them there is no sobriety, no kindness. Wisdom without kindness and knowledge without sobriety are useless."


To all my friends and loved ones here is my sincere wish for all of you.
May all of your sadness and longings be few and may you gain much wisdom from them. I leave you with thoughts of peace, love , and joy. As always, be good to yourself and even better to others.