WHAT A TRIP

"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see
But lately it occurs to me what a long strange trip its been"
I use the words from a Grateful Dead song to introduce the message of this entry.As I continue to age and grow older I can look back at all the events of my life and just shake my head. Man, it really has been quite a ride! Some of it just absolutely wonderful, some of it absolutely horrible, and the rest somewhere in between. I have come to realize the truth in the old saying that states Its not the destination that is important rather its the ride along the way.At times I believe we human beings put way too much value of the "final destination" of our life when in reality there is never a final destination to be found. Rather it's a never-ending trip made up of our thoughts, our ideas, and our beliefs. And if you can see that as true then it should be easy to see that one should begin right now to enjoy every minute of this glorious ride. Enjoy it Right Now dont be fooled into believing that you must first pass any kind of test, or believe in any man made creed to finally begin to enjoy this life. You are here Now, and there is no such thing as the future.Its all right here, right now awaiting your recognition of all things beautiful. Just remember you will always reap just what you sow so why not right now do something nice for someone just because you can? Go ahead ,do it and dont forget to enjoy the ride even when it seems to be out of control. Life may at times be like the proverbial roller coaster ride but what a ride it is! Enjoy!!!

FINDING FREEDOM

How would you describe freedom or being free in this world of illusion and paradox? Sounds like an easy question which should have an easy answer, right? But I imagine if I were to ask ten people what their idea of freedom is I would get ten different answers. As individuals we can assert our personal beliefs of what freedom is but that will not make it necessarily true for another. In countries around the world where dictators rule backed by great armies one living there may describe freedom as being able to escape to another country which is not under dictatorship.Someone else may describe freedom as being able to live anywhere they choose and to pretty much do whatever they desire to do.So I would imagine that freedom means different things to different people depending on where they live, how they were taught as youngsters, and the circumstances they now find themselves in. Personally I feel freedom is that state of mind where I can believe anything I want to and can do anything I desire as long as it doesnt harm anyone else or break the mores of our society in which I reside.Freedom to me is being able to look past the things I have been taught so I can really use my mind to discover who I really am. Freedom is being able to state my convictions without being punished for them. And that brings me to another fact which is this---This world I now reside in is not a free world! I am blessed to live in a country which is a democratic society but at the same time I am not truly free in all regards.In my life I have been accused of being an arrogant person with some really strange beliefs.Now I admit that some of my beliefs may not coincide with yours or anyone else's but I do feel being arrogant is far from the truth.But I really dont want to get into that discussion right now. I am only trying to stress the fact that for one to be truly free he or she must first admit that most of their beliefs are based on things they have heard, seen, or been told. And I feel one must try to "unlearn" the so called truths that others have said"This is the way you need to think or act or live your life.To me being free is to stop deceiving myself in anything I do or say.I have to take full responsibility for everything I react to. And doing this has led me to stop reacting and to just experience everything that is going on around me. Once I have accomplished climbing that hill of reacting and started to always experience each event then I will at long last attained freedom.My sincere hope for each of you is that you have already found your freedom and are truly happy with all that occurs.Peace I leave with all of you good folks.And if the opportunity knocks at your door to do something nice for some one I do hope you will do so. Enjoy each moment on this beautiful planet and remember that we are all ONE!

YOU'll SEE IT WHEN YOU BELIEVE IT

I use the title of a book by Wayne Dyer for today's subject because I think it is so true. The old saying is I'll believe it when I see it but the other way around is the correct one I believe. Life cannot give anyone something they are not able or unwilling to accept.But if one can go ahead and accept that that thing or condition they desire is already made manifest then life quickly gives us that thing.As singer songwriter Delbert McClinton wrote:"You gotta believe before you see the proof, you can wait a lifetime for a moment of truth." So I would suggest that if you truly want something then first accept wholeheartedly the thing as already done and then wait for life's perfect moment to make the thing manifest in your life.My sincere hope is that all of you are doing great and enjoying every moment of this wonderful life.As you travel along this earthly life's path please take a moment right now to do something nice for someone and continue to be a part of the solution and not a part of the "problem" Hugs to all!

TOO MUCH STUFF

"Got hurt cant work got a lot of bills
But the policy dont pay unless I get killed
"Just my luck counting on too much stuff
"Well its a way too much you never gonna get enough
"You can pile it high, but you ll never be satisified
These lyrics from a Delbert mcClinton song always reminds me just how much we a s humans think we need to have so much "stuff" to be happy. We tend to think that after we attain all the material possessions we desire then we can stop and rreally be happy. But ya know what? Like the song says you'll never be satisified. And I think that is true if we put all of our desires on material things.Lots of times less is more. George Santayana has stated the following:"I like to walk about among the beautiful things that adorn the world; but private wealth I should decline, or any sort of personal possessions, because they would take away my liberty." I like that quote.Dont get me wrong there is nothing wrong with wanting "things" or "stuff" and it does make life easier if you manage to have some money and other stuff. But the thing old George was saying I do believe, is that when we focus too much on "stuff" we oft times miss the real assets that life has to offer. Like new friendships, making peace with others, doing nice things just for the heck of it to help others, being a real friend, sharing what we do have with others, taking a quiet walk thru the woods or on the beach, watching a sunset and on and on.My hope for all of us is that we can learn to clear a lot of the "clutter" from our lives and then begin to share our true wealth with each other.I wish you and yours the very best of everything. Please try to remember to do something nice for someone today just because you can and want to!Bless you all!

THE ONE POWER

It's kinda funny how we humans demand on putting labels on everything we know.We label one thing as good, another one as bad, another one somewhere in between and so forth.And when it comes to trying to figure out exactly what makes everything exist, well, that's an impossibility I believe.As I've said before, we are humans working with a finite mind and there is no way we can truly comprehend infinity.Infinity--that thing or power which is ageless endlesss and forever expanding. Wow! That power is awesome no matter how one tries to describe it.One of my favorite writers of all time Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated:"Everything in nature contains all the power of nature. Everything is made of one hidden stuff." I must wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Emerson. And that being said then that would make us humans part of that One Eternal Infinite Power! Awesome!Let us all remember that we have within us that Power to do Anything we desire. My hope is that each of you have discovered this Power and have learned to use it not only for your own benefit but for others also. Remember just how powerful you are friends. And please dont forget to do something nice for someone today just because you have the power to do it and also because you want to be a part of life's solutions instead of it's problems! Bless you all now and always.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Here's hoping all of you have a wonderful day tomorrow as well as every day herein!May all of us learn to love others in the right way! Unconditional love-rather uncommon but a state of bliss when we do learn to love -unconditionly. I wish all of you the very best!

ANYTHINGS POSSIBLE

When I think about all the mysteries that this earthly life entails I just get lost in the wonder of it all. To me the greatest mystery ever is that there is anything at all.I realize we as humans are operating in an infinite universe while at the same time only having a mind that is finite.Therein I  believe, lies the reason things are so mysterious at times. No matter what your belief as to how all this life came to be, its still pretty amazing wouldn't you say? Personally I believe that anything is possible no matter how strange it may sound at the time. And if that is the case then we should be able to do or have anything we may desire. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has stated this: If you say something is not possible, what you are really saying is "I don't want it" And you know , he may be right. In the One Creative Mind there is no lesser, no hard,or small, or anything else. In this Mind there is only possibilities! May you and yours this very moment decide what it is you want, then give this Mind a chance to make the thing you desire manifest. I leave you in love, peace, understanding, and friendship.