The Dotted Lie

Sometimes when I think writing is strenuous, I think back to one of my former jobs; being an apartment manager.

Seems like the ideal job for a writer? I would find out the hard way that it was no life for a writer. Initially, I took the job because I thought I could ditch the 9 to 5 and write, while living rent free? That was before I knew there is no such thing as "rent free?" Rent free is another word for, I-will-disturb-you-whenever-and-wherever-even-
when-you're-sleeping!

Every time I started writing, a tenant would either call or knock on the door. Their stories ran the gamut from a toilet being stopped up, a broken dishwasher, being locked out, needing a light bulb changed, wanting someone to baby-sit their children, not wanting to pay rent because they wanted to vacation in Italy, and not wanting to pay a late fee even though their rent check was late or arguing that there is always a grace period; which is really a courtesy extended by the landlord and is not a requirement.

Many of these requests were after hours when the office was officially closed. One of the most awkward moments was showing an apartment and inadvertently walking in on a male tenat showering, who should have moved out a week prior.

I thought that was pretty outrageous until I heard another story from the manager next door. His tenant was a stripper who paid rent with all dollar bills and left a tassel as a tip!

When people first move in, they all insist that they are quiet, pay on time, don't party, don't do drugs, don't drink, don't smoke, they are clean, and they won't put any holes in the wall. If they have a pet, it's obedient, doesn't bark, bite or have accidents on the carpet.

They ABSOLUTELY NEVER put anything in the garbage disposal; it just gets stopped up by itself. The glass, chicken bones, utensils, bottle caps, and assorted food makes its own way in there. These are known as, "Renter's Lies."

Landlords get a bad reputation. Many tenants resent paying rent and think of it as a ransom. They unfairly accuse landlords of being greedy, when they are just trying to protect their investment. Landlords are regular people too. Most of them are hardworking, upstanding citizens who have taken a risk to buy property.

I have seen many properties completely ruined by unruly tenants who have caused baseball size holes in the walls, suspended bikes and surfboards from the ceiling with huge hooks that cut into the central air and heating systems, and tenants wreaking havoc that only a landlord knows (think Pacific Heights.)

Landlords have to pay a mortgage, property taxes, repair costs, and a slew of other expenses trying to keep a roof over a tenant's head. They get high blood pressure, ulcers, attacked by tenants, cheated by unscrupulous contractors, and some even go broke and have to forfeit their property.

Not all tenants are bad and not all landlords are bad; I've known some of both to be quite lovely, but the bad ones always stick out. By the way, this job lasted less than a year, after I realized that I couldn't get any work done.

Spirit's work there was done. Granted some experiences take longer, this one was relatively short. I know that with each experience, I am given the ladder to climb to the next spiritual level. As long as there isn't a glass ceiling, I think I'll be okay.

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Kicking And Screaming

This weekend, I drove past the Staples Center, where they were holding the Ultimate Fighting Championships. A real gladiator showdown where martial arts, wrestling and kick boxing meets ground fighting in a no holds barred competition.

A place where the testosterone is so thick, you could probably cut it with a knife; but fortunately they are not allowed in the competition.

The fights take place in an octagon-shaped cage where a fence separates the fighters from the audience. Though it celebrates the animalistic nature in man, I wondered if they had live butchers on the premises to slice up the meat of the loser and sell it as beef on a stick?

Frankly I don't understand why ANYONE would allow themselves to be pummeled into ground beef? I began to ponder the perils of ultimate fighting?

What is it? I mean, what is the ultimate fight? Is it battling an addiction? A behavior disorder? Grappling with the ego's itinerary versus the Soul's travel plans?

Whatever it is, does not compare to the knockdown, drag-out fight between our will and God's will. Now that's the real ultimate fight. The one against ourselves.

How many times have we been at that fork in the road? And how many times have we chosen the wrong path? The fork will keep offering itself until we choose the right direction to self-realization which leads to the ultimate -- God realization.

This battle is for spiritual survival. It is a battle to the end. It is a battle that may leave many bruises. It is a battle that has to be fought. A battle that can be won, if we surrender?

Surrendering is not giving up, it is allowing Spirit to train us for the ultimate fight. It teaches us how to take a punch, a kick, a body-slam and still stand after all the pain.

Then in a mystical moment, when we think we are down for the count, it transforms our pain to strength. We get up fighting, but this time we know what to do in order to stay in the cage.

No matter how much we kick and scream, we still have to do what it takes to get us where we're going. To the victor go the spoils.

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Truth Be Told

Most people have an inner monologue that may go something like this? Will I ever find real love? Does happiness exist for me? Is this all there is? Where am I going in life? Where will my experiences lead me?

We all have the power to answer our own questions, simply by 'seeking' to answer them. If you can ask the questions, then you can find the answers.

If you really want to know the answers, you will be lead to them through seeking.

Motivational speaker and author, Dr. Wayne Dyer once said,

"When scientists look at something through a microscope, it changes as they view it. When you look at something change, it changes the way you look at it."

This can also sum up finding truth. As you are seeking your answers, your perspective changes and the answers will present themselves.

You may be thinking, come on it's not that easy, but it works. When I ask a question, I am led to the answer.

It could be a book, a film, a commercial, a stranger's passing remarks, or even a motivational speaker? How will you know that it IS the answer?

It will be obvious. God has a great sense of humor, so look where you least expect it. On second thought, don't look. The answer will find you.

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Go Fish

I remember playing a card game as a child called, "Go Fish." It is a simple game that requires asking a player for cards to match the ones you have. If they do not have the card, they will say, "Go Fish."

As children, we don't think of the implications of fishing. It could have countless meanings such as, taking a risk, testing our fate or stepping into the waters of something new?

Life may no longer be a simple card game, but you can still go fish.

Step outside of your box. Color outside the lines. Breach your comfort zone. Explore new worlds of imagination. Do something different -- today. Anything?

Cast a line and see what you catch? Don't let the big one get away. Luckily Mr. Van Gogh also played this game and kicks it up a notch to a meaningful stratosphere.

"The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible, but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore."

~Vincent Van Gogh

You Van "Gogh' boy!

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Create Your Path

"The future is not
some place
we are going,
but one we create.
The paths
are not found,
but made,
and the activity
of making them
changes both
the maker
and the
destination."

~John Schaar

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A Dubious Sincerity

The people in the building where I live are rather peculiar?

Every Christmas they put a gift on everyone's door with a little card wishing peace and goodwill.

It's cute hearing the shuffling of feet in the hallway and the assorted noises as they drop the gifts off at the doors.

They are like little elves working overtime with a mission to bring Christmas cheer. The gifts range anywhere from a mouthwatering Harry and David gourmet fruit basket and scrumptious Sees Candies, to decorative plaques and wine.

When I first came here, I thought they were doing it because I was new. I later found out that it was a tradition unbeknownst to me, where I would feel obliged to participate.

That's why it doesn't make sense? They go through all of this for one day of the year, but the rest of the year, they are not very neighborly.

When they see you in the hall, they will walk right past without speaking, even if you speak to them. When two people pull into the garage at the same time, they will try to park their cars quickly just so they won't have to speak to each other.

I told you they were peculiar? Why would you give a gift to anyone you don't speak to? You usually give gifts to people you like, not the opposite.

It felt like the same thing a parent does to substitute love by buying their child a gift. The sad thing is that they have forced me to participate in a nature that is not like me?

These neighbors don't talk the talk or walk the walk of sincerity; my very essence. It is understandable that we all have bad days, but they seem to have bad days everyday.

It's not like everyone has had a falling out with everyone else, but how would I know if no one speaks?

Is it possible that we are so entwined in our lives that we don't see our own behavior? How many veils do we each have to shed before getting to know someone?

The shortest distance between two lines is a neighbor. It's a line difficult to walk in this building without feeling like you are trespassing.

Is getting to know a neighbor a bad thing? What happened to inviting someone over for coffee and having a real conversation?

You might find that you have a lot in common? You may find that you have nothing in common, but if no one is talking, you'll never know?

When the word, "Hello," doesn't break down barriers, then it is time to move on. We have to know when to move from a situation that is not in our best spiritual interest.

It may be that time for me? Around here, a simple "Hello," won't even get you in the door.

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Time Waits For No Tristan

Time is becoming more scarce these days especially when the things we HAVE to do outnumber the things we WANT to do? When we get older, we are more conscious of time and we are fixated on not EVER having enough of it.

In times like these, I take a page out of my friend Tristan's book of speed. Tristan says that God has given him the gene for speed and he likes being the Road Runner instead of Wile E. Coyote, where the need for speed is indeed. Excuse my Cat In The Hat moment.

Tristan is so focused on rapid clock hands that when the time changed to Daylight Saving last month, he actually turned the clock backward instead of forward.

It was hilarious when the moment he chose to relax, he got a frantic phone call that he was two hours late for a meeting. So road running comes in handy for him.

It's the biggest insult to him when people think he is scatterbrained, it's so NOT him. Punctuality is his forte. He has never been late for anything, but it was funny that Mr. Speed got taken down by his worse enemy -- himself.

Following are pointers that may be useful if you're always in a time crunch.

Tristan's Tips For Time Management

• Washes the car when it is raining. It keeps it cleaner. (This is true. I have tried it myself), despite the strange looks from others.
• Washes the car windows while he gases up the car. Also checks tire pressure and oil, all while the gas is pumping. (People often think he works there and ask him to do theirs.)
• Shaves in the shower. The steam softens the beard and makes it easier to shave. It always gives his skin the ever-so-fresh glow that guys can't do without.
• Watches T.V. with only captions while listening to a CD. He swears that his soundtrack makes the show better.
• Conversely, he fast forwards through DVD's.
• Cooks meals on Sunday for the whole week, packs them into little plastic containers and labels them.
• Brushes his teeth and flosses while talking on the phone. Makes him sound like he has a speech impediment.
• Reads while watering the grass. Especially amusing when he pretends not to see the annoying neighbor and wets her as she walks her dog. (The dog stays dry)
• Kills people who blog about his habits. (What he doesn't know won't hurt me?)

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The Paradoxical Commandments

This was sent by My Daily Insights. A site full of pearls of wisdom like this.

Written by Dr. Kent M. Keith

• People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
• If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
• If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
• The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
• Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
• The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
• People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
• What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
• People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
• Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

© Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, renewed 2001

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Six Degrees Of Deprivation Part 2.

The MySpace subscribers compose profiles and blog about themselves. Some of them publish their names and addresses along with their pictures and ages; many of which are exaggerated.

In some respects blogging is like writing on the bathroom wall at school, except it's no longer mysterious or anonymous, but someone can still get hurt by what is written.

Sadly, every time I watch the news, I hear how another pedophile has infiltrated MySpace. Every so often, NBC's Primetime does a special on pedophiles who chat up cyber Lolitas from MySpace and make arrangements to meet for sexual exploits.

One parent found out that her underage daughter was running away with a man 20 years her senior. Luckily the mother was able to abort their mission when her daughter's best friend tipped her off -- this time?

There is something distressing about human beings slated for auction. You don't have to buy them with money, just by saying the right words that they desperately want to hear.

For every auction, there is a re-auction. If you didn't get a chance to buy the first time, you'll soon get another chance. At first, I didn't get the whole camaraderie of MySpace?

I was a teenager too and I never had the desire post my availability or accentuate various body parts on an electronic billboard that diminishes my character and integrity.

The IM generation seems to be missing the boat. With all the technology at their disposal, they are burning themselves out and craving something much more substantial, something deeper; a reconnection with their spirit.

I get the sense that they feel deprived. They congregate with other kids who also feel deprived until it becomes six degrees of deprivation.

It's like a hole inside, the more they fill it, the bigger it becomes. They feel disenfranchised, like they are alone in the world, unloved and unresolved.

In their world, the only place that provides what they want or need is MySpace. However, that isn't an excuse to give up of your kids. Sure, teens have their own pressures of trying to fit in, but if they don't learn how to cope now, what kind of adults are they going to make?

How can they make informed decisions without the correct information? How can they be good parents if their parents are not around?

Growth is a slow and measured course on God's timetable. Kids want to grow up yesterday.

A parent has to explain the importance of having principles, integrity, responsibility, virtues, family values, self-respect, long-term goals, cultivating decent relationships, learning how to love, how to be a good human being; everything that makes a respectable person.

In all fairness, not everyone on MySpace is desperate or out to do ill will. However, parents should be aware of the dangers that exist.

Don't let strangers behind the screen offer your child candy or become your child's keeper. So many teens wish that they could talk to their parents, but their parents are either not available or kids are intimidated by them.

Know where your children are? Know what they are doing. Know that you are responsible for their well being. Be available for them.

Be an example. Be ready, willing and able. Tell them that you love them.

Love can cure deprivation. It can warm the heart, heal the hurt, help you sail to a new day. It can help rescue your child from feeling like they have no one.

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Six Degrees Of Deprivation Part 1.

The name, "MySpace," may sound innocent enough, but its allure is as dangerous as swimming with crocodiles.

So why are so many teens willing to trade their innocence and succumb to the mystical power of MySpace?

Under the euphemistic guise of logging on to "discover friends," teens find themselves confronted with what is quickly becoming the crack whore of the internet.

A place that snorts them into a black hole of bad decisions and dire consequences that leave them twitching on the side of the superhighway.

This illusional charm takes them for everything they've got or ever wanted? MySpace is described as a place where people can keep in "touch." A place for, "Social Networking."

So far, this huge network of orgiastic teens and others has 60 million subscribers from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

I had to see first hand what this social frenzy was about so I took a little trip to MySpace. This site crashed several times until I was able to maintain it.

I saw several over made up, underage girls and posturing boys, both in various stages of undress, all wanting to grow up as fast as their high speed internet connection.

Investigating further into the site, many people were bragging about everything from conquests and orgies to buying drugs, guns and other crimes.

Everything you DON'T want your child to find can be found on MySpace. It's a parent's worse nightmare and a predator's best dream.

(to be continued)

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Ignorance

"Ignorance is
the night
of the
mind,
but a night
without
moon
and
star."

Confucius

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Living Will

Life has many blind corners. We never know which corner will blindside us.

We can only hope that we don't wind up in a degenerative state where we have no control. This can put a lot of pressure on our family.

Remember to take time and update your will, especially your living will. Be specific about how you want your family to handle the situation.

There is a saying, "Live each day as if it's your last." However, if you do that you probably won't have any fun.

You'll be thinking about your destination, busily checking off things that you want to do, and not being able to enjoy them.

I have re-coined the phrase and made it, "Live each day as if it's your first. Experience the joy and wonder of a new day."

Here's another gem forwarded by Alex (Thanks)

Last night, a man and his wife were sitting in the living room and he said to her, "I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."

She got up, unplugged the TV and threw out his beer.

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Karma Free Zones

We've all heard it a million times, "What goes around comes around." When many people think of karma they think of it as a tempestuous storm raining down on them with brute force.

What many may not know is that karma is a neutral energy. It does nothing to provoke us. It just sits quietly in the corner and watches our every move and boy does it ever watch.

It's supernal vision is supremely accurate. It sees everything. It even sees through things like x-ray vision. And it will never need eye glasses. Ever! It has perfect 20/20 vision. Perfect!

Karma it is not always good. It's not always bad. But it is ALWAYS neutral.

You are its only dependent. Well, you and everyone else. Since you probably don't do what everyone else does, your karma is dealt according to your actions.

Maybe it should come with a label: Everything you do will come back to you and only you.

For me karma is also discipline. It keeps me from wanting to tie the hands of the little girl next door who is plays Chopsticks on the piano when I am writing.

It keeps me from yelling out of the window at the teen who likes to race his engine at 5:00 a.m. and kindly burns rubber everyday at 5:15 am.

God handles karma better that I ever could. Besides, it's not my job to deal someone their karma hand. I'm not the dealer, just the player.

God is the dealer, which is a releif because exacting karma is just one less task that I have to do. It's hard enough trying to stay in the game.

What if we could go to a karma free zone and do anything we wanted? It would be like having a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. Would we lie, cheat, steal, kill?

Hey, people already do that in non karma free zones. I could easily think that I lived in a karma free zone, but knowing my luck the devil will play Chopsticks upon my arrival to his door.

Instead, I do everything in the name of God, except sign autographs, but that's another story. When you do everything in the name of God, watch how your karma responds.

Because you are doing everything of pure heart, you are working side by side with God. This makes karma very happy and puts a smile on its stoical face. Making it smile will make you smile.

Keep it up and you are really in for a treat.

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Rising To The Top

Continuing the mountain climber theme.

This is an incredible story. The kind of story that you can never forget. It's almost a textbook example of not giving up on your goals.

New Zealander mountaineer, Mark Inglis, 47 has become the first double amputee to successfully reach the summit of Mt Everest.

With an elevation of 29,029 ft (8,848m), it is the tallest mountain peak in the world.

After a climbing accident in 1982, Inglis lost both legs beneath the knee after suffering from frostbite. Inglis, later went on to win a silver medal in cycling at the Sydney Paralympics.

When asked about his accomplishment, Inglis said,

"I'm not doing this to be the first double amputee; if I am then it's the icing on the cake. I think it's every Kiwi kid's dream isn't it? Especially when you grew up as I did as a young mountaineer in New Zealand."

"I've been climbing most of my life and Everest is the achievement really. And it gives you the knowledge of empowerment to do other things," he added.

Any time you think you can't accomplish something, think of Mark Inglis.

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Synchronicity: The Movie

Like I said before, synchronicity seems to be happening more to me these days than ever. It's become almost scary, like someone is following my every thought. My every move.

Maybe my life has become like The Truman Show, I am secretly being filmed and just don't know it? Big brother has gone too far this time. But how did big brother infiltrate my thoughts?

For the past several weeks my thoughts have been blitzed with synchronicity. If I blog about something, I'll read about the same subject hours later on another blog.

That same subject will then appear on the news, in a phone call, an obscure PBS station, a foreign film, a letter, an email, an advertisement, AND I'll overhear a stranger talking about it with the produce guy in the market. It is usually not a common subject either.

I even have a very eclectic music collection and I just happened to be listening to a song. Within a half hour, I heard the same song being played in the background of a T.V. show. What the...?

I am checking myself for wires as I type with one hand. No. Nothing. I know I am being followed. No, I am not paranoid! Okay, this HAS to stop. Right now! It's driving me CRAZY. Arrrghhh! I am screaming inside.

Is the world getting smaller or are my thoughts being recorded by a secret force?

Have I been abducted by Aliens who have successfully removed my frontal lobe? I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

Okay I am back. I am being tested. The color bars on the screen can not be adjusted. Neither can the sound. This has been a test of the Emergency Blogcasting Service. Had it been an actual emergency, you would have all been instructed where to go?

Forget the Truman Show, this is more like the The Twilight Zone. Cue EERIE MUSIC. Voice Over: In space no one can hear you scream.

SFX: Bone chilling laughter. Hang on for dear life. Repeat after me, it's only a movie. It's only a.....Ahhhhhhhh!

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Corpus Delicti

There's nothing good about fear. It can stop progress. Stunt growth. It can turn your warm living body into a cold hard corpse. Yes, it can kill you.

My sister is deafly afraid of spiders. To her, they are eight legged rapscallions out to get her. Every time she sees one, she screams bloody murder, throws any object (usually a shoe) at it and runs. Frankly, I think she scares the spider more than the spider scares her.

Growing up, this made quite the spectacle at home. If you visited our home back then, you probably would have seen many shoe marks on the walls and ceiling.

When we are faced with fear, what do we do? Stare it in the eyes? What thoughts go through our head? Is it kill or be killed? If we back down from fear, the ghost of it will haunt us forever.

It's interesting what happens to the body when faced with fear. It transforms into the, "fight-or-flight," mode.

This fundamental physiologic response forms the foundation of modern day stress medicine and is our body's primitive, automatic, response that prepares the body to "fight" or "flee" from perceived attack.

When we experience stress, a bodily reaction is triggered. Originally discovered by the great Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon, this response is hard-wired into our brains and represents a genetic wisdom designed to protect us from bodily harm.

While it is true that most fears can be traced to the mother of all fears; fear of death, it is still possible to live without fear if we shift our consciousness.

If we readjust the power between us and the fear, we can usually beat it. For instance, facing the fear will cause an enormous amount of anxiety, but what seems like an eternity will only last for minutes, then its over.

The biggest fear is the 'decision' to stay in the fear. The greatest anxiety is the 'decision' to face the fear. If you play the outcome in your mind first, you can overcome the fear.

Fear is a blind spot. Something that can cause harm. When you drive a car you have to look out for your blind spots. Fear is the same way. It always has you look over your shoulder.

You want the freedom to look ahead without fear. Once you understand that there is no need to fear you can face anything with confidence.

My sister is getting better. She no longer throws shoes at spiders. Now she throws pens. Needless to say, she paints her walls every four months.

I'm going to see my sister this weekend to help eradicate her fear. Once a month she has a 'movie night.' We each pick a film that we think the other one should see.

This week, it is my turn. I have chosen, "Eight Legged Freaks." Incase you haven't realized, it is a film about spiders. Just incase she doesn't take to that one too well, I have a back up, Charlotte's Web.

I know, some of you may think it's cruel, and I know my sister will either thank me or kill me. I have to take my chances. You see, fear is an intruder and at times you have to take matters into your own hands, 'fight-or-flight!'

Don't worry, I have already packed my earplugs.

Disclaimer: I would never really force someone to face their fears. That's up to them. For the sake of the story, let's say that I would.

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Waking Life

During my weekly trip to the library, I moseyed over to the video section. Since most people have gone over to DVD, the video section is brimming.

I use the same technique as I do when I read a passage in a book, "God, show me what I need to see." Low and behold, a video wiggled its way off the shelf and fell to my feet. Someone on the other side had pushed it through by accident. Or was it? It was a film called, 'Waking Life.'

I was intrigued by its title. I am usually pretty well informed when it comes to films, it's second nature in Los Angeles; it's that kind of town.

I was surprised that I hadn't even heard of this one. I don't ever read reviews because that slants one's view and gives one preconceived notions. I like to go into a film completely in the dark, to have my own experience, not a film critics.

Having said that, I am usually not one to recommend films, but this is an exception.

Waking Life blew me away. There were no explosions, but I was blown away in its boldness to dare me to think? For everyone to think?

It was like looking at an abstract painting and hearing a human opera. Real live action poetry in motion. A reflection of human consciousness set against the backdrop of life.

It is one of the most unusual films I have ever seen. It's innovative, philosophical, artistic, eclectic, esoteric, spiritual, refreshing and a true experience.

You almost feel like you have been dropped into a dream. Writer and Director, Richard Linklater used "interpolated rotoscoping," to give it a dreamy effect.

Once inside this dream, you are constantly trying to wake up. The film opens with a fortune cookie message, "Dream is destiny." From then on, you're on your way to an adventure of self-exploration.

I won't tell you what the film is about, but I know you'll have some kind of reaction, positive or negative. It may change your life, it may compel you to question your life? It will challenge you one way or the other.

Some quotes from the film.

"I'm afraid we're losing the real virtues of living life passionately, the sense of taking responsibility for who you are, the ability to make something of yourself and feeling good about life."

"It might be true that there are six billion people in the world and counting. Nevertheless, what you do makes a difference. It makes a difference to other people and it sets an example. I think that we should never simply write ourselves off and see ourselves as the victim of various forces. It's always our decision who we are."

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Teach The Children

"We need to teach
the next generation of children
from day one
that they are responsible
for their lives.
Mankind's greatest gift,
also its greatest curse,
is that we have free choice.
We can make our choices
built from love
or from fear."

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

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Rope Burns

There is something in the universe called synchronicity. Not the song by The Police, but a connection of distinct energies that arise simultaneously.

Such a thing happened yesterday when I was sent a link by my friend Alex. I had just watched the film, Seven Years In Tibet, as much as I could stomach.

I got about half way through it before I ejected Brad Pitt's bleach blond locks and dumbfounded staring; like he had just slid out of the womb and was seeing life for the first time.

On top of that, I suffered through his atrocious attempt at an Austrian accent. The film was based on the 1953 memoir of Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer.

Now I'm sure if they would have gotten a real actor, it may have been palpable, but Brad was way over his head, ahem, I mean hair.

Well, Alex's link couldn't have come at a better time. It is also about a mountain climber, but it has a point, and is not muddled in Hollywood stardust.

If Brad Pitt had made this film, he may have been hailed as a great actor. When you find yourself against the ropes, you may want to seriously consider your options?

If you ask for help, be ready for the answer?

(Thanks Alex)

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Stretch

The computer is a great device for anyone inclined to use it, but like anything, too much use can cause damage if you're not careful. In my quest to wrangle words, I sometimes suffer minor aches and stiffness that has become more of a pain lately.

I think it is due to my new desk. The keyboard shelf is one and a half inches lower than what I used to have, and therein lies the rub. While it is a terrific desk, it is beginning to cause shoulder discomfort; joy and regret.

So I wouldn't end up in a shoulder sling, I researched and found this site called, Deskercize.

It is just what the doctor ordered. I have tried a couple of the deskercizes and they really work. This is for all of my fellow bloggers and anyone who uses the computer for more than three hours a day.

These may be able ease any unforeseen discomfort. Our mental and spiritual bodies are not the only ones that need stretching. Our physical bodies do too.

We can't strengthen our spirits and neglect our bodies. When you feel yourself getting tense, get up and move.

Aaaaannnnd stretch. Hold it. Five, four, three, two, one. Let it go.

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Dorian Gray

Yesterday's post pit the young against the old. The ebb against the flow. The Yin against the Yang. The nails against the chalkboard.

One book that illustrates the paranoia of growing older is, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.

In the book, Dorian sees a painting of himself and is so taken by its youth and beauty that he promises his Soul, if he could always remain like the picture.

It shows the darker side of man in his quest to serve his vanity and lose his morals. How far does one have to plummet to satisfy his ego and succumb to his own demons? You would be surprised?

Is that the time God should step in or step back? Can we save ourselves? Can we face the demise of outer beauty? The mirror distorts our image of who we really are?

If our true beauty were reflected in a piece of glass, we would only be one-dimensional. It is that same glass that can cut like a thousand swords and julienne our Souls.

Written exquisitely in Oscar Wilde style, the story is riveting throughout its compelling twist at the end. It's a story worth reading just to get to know Oscar Wilde if you're not familiar with him.

Some quotes in the book are as follows:

"The tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young."

"Young men want to be faithful, and are not; old men want to be faithless, and cannot."

"Genius lasts longer than beauty. That accounts for the fact that we all take such pains to overeducate ourselves."

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Breaking The Chains

I love birthdays. I celebrate mine everyday. Every day I do something for myself such as; listening to one of my favorites CD's, taking a scenic walk in the park, or contemplating on a seed of truth and watching the answer unfold.

For some people, birthdays are depressing reminders that they are getting older.

I have heard many acquaintances say that they skip birthdays to stay young. As ridiculous as it sounds, it probably makes sense in their heads.

As we get older, we gain wisdom and psychic abilities. We can sum up situations and usually predict their outcome. With each mark of wisdom is a resolve that we are powerless under God.

My grandmother used to say, "Youth is only for the wicked." While I know she wasn't referring to me, at least I hope not, I pondered whether she had a good point?

Would I give up youth for wisdom? On the other hand, I don't think I would ever give up wisdom for youth. She also used to say that she earned every line on her face.

She would point to each one and recall an event that caused it. Each line represented a memory, a time in her life when she gained wisdom. I asked her if she ever wanted to be young again?

"Oh, sweet child," she'd say with her grandmother cadence. Her laugh would turn into a choke, while I would retrieve a glass of water to mollify her paroxysm.

Once she regained her composure, she grinned and said, "Youth never dies, even if the body gets older. You'll see?"

Either my grandmother was an ancient master of life; had tilted too far back in her rocker; or she knew something?

So if youth is for the wicked and it never dies, was she saying that we will always be wicked? Unfortunately she died before I could ask?

Is trading youth for wisdom an even trade? A youth looks forward to becoming older and having less restrictions, while an elderly person laments about being younger, and also having less restrictions.

Each stage brings its own freedom if we were restricted to a physical reality, but we are not.

Our Souls are ageless. Our spirits free. Our reason for living is to break the chains of spiritual limitations.

So is it safe to assume that my grandmother spoke in metaphors? By being wicked, did she mean limited? As long as we have spiritual limitations, we can never be free. How do we break the chains and liberate ourselves?

In society, youth is rewarded. Everyone wants the young. Companies want young employees. Hollywood wants young starlets. Magazines want young models, all in an effort to hang on to youth.

What happens when that youthful apparition disappears? Everyone is in a state of panic that they are getting older -- and that does nothing except undermine our morale throughout our lifetime.

Even when a baby dies, people are sadder than when an older person dies? Is it because we feel the baby never had a chance to live and the older person was 'ready' to die? Does being imbued with the idea of youth make our views askew?

As Soul, babies and the elderly may be on an equal footing. They may even be the same age. Ageism doesn't exist in the spiritual worlds. Our lives are orchestrated by God who guides our Soul's dance.

We each fulfill our contracts
with fate. Our bodies have an expiration date that is unchangeable and our Souls migrate to their next sonnet.

Souls don't celebrate birthdays in years,
they celebrates them in lifetimes.

The truth is that it is difficult to break the chains, but we can chip at them, hoping that they will eventually give way.

Instead of celebrating youth, why not celebrate days? The days we thought we would never survive? The days we thought would never pass. The days we hoped would never pass. The days we pray will never pass.

A birthday doesn't stamp another year on earth, it celebrates another day God has blessed us. Another day for gratitude. Another day of love. And love gives us wings to fly.

Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to you all.

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Three Faces Of God

This is a story of a man. An angry man. Why is he angry? You be the judge.

The storm warnings were fierce. A hurricane was about to hit the city -- and it was predicted to demolish it within a matter of minutes.

Black clouds and lightening storms had already begun to persuade nature's fury. Everyone within miles of the storm were warned. They began a mass exodus.

Shortly, the storm came pounding down, uprooting trees, and other structures and slapping everything back and forth.

A man was stuck in his house watching people go by. The flood water in his house was rising rapidly as he stared out of the window. A neighbor saw him and offered him a ride on his wagon.

The man responded, "I'm waiting for God." So the neighbor left. Minutes later, the waters were rising higher in the man's house.

Another neighbor went past on a camel. He offered the man a ride to safety. "No I'm waiting for God to save me," the helpless man said.

Now the waters had risen very high and the man was standing on his roof still waiting for God. Another man came by in a boat, saw the man in despair and told him to come aboard. The defenseless man still refused and shouted, "I'm waiting for God!"

Moments later the waters rose even higher and the man drowned. When he got to Heaven, he was angry. He demanded to see God immediately.

When his turn came, he asked God, "Why didn't you save me?" God said. "I sent someone to save you three times and you refused, what else could I do?"

Did the man have a right to be angry or was it his fault? When we ask for God's help, it may not come in the form that we expect, but it does come nevertheless.

The next time you ask, make sure you really want it or it may pass you by.

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Someone To Love

"You cannot make someone
love you.
You can only make
yourself someone
who can be
Loved.”

~Derek Gamba

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The Power Of 'No-ing'

Why can't we say, 'No?' Is it because we want to be nice? To be liked? Loved? How can we be strong for others if we keep saying, 'Yes?'

If we keep saying, 'Yes,' to the same person, it takes away their ability to be strong and their ability to hear, 'No.' If we say, 'Yes,' to many people, it takes away our ability to be strong.

It's fine to have compassion and to offer assistance, but we can still say, 'No,' when necessary. In some instances, we can't help but to say, 'Yes.' So when do we say, 'No' to 'Yes?'

I know a woman who never has time. She has several watches, but she still doesn't have time? Everyone always asks her to do something for them and she does it without question.

She is loyal to the word, 'Yes,' and she allows many people take advantage of her. When something has to be done, she is always the first to volunteer. If she hears someone needs something, she will go out and buy it (even though she barely makes end meet.)

She never has time for herself. She looked in the mirror and said, "Where has the time gone? I used to be young. I used to have energy. I used to have time for myself."

She is now in the hospital for exhaustion and stress because she couldn't say 'No!'

Time is a precious metal. It's is valuable, yet priceless. Time is fleeting. Time is now. Value your time like you value yourself. Don't give it away needlessly. Be discriminating. Be prudent. Be aware.

'No,' is a powerful two-letter word.
It has the strength of ten words.

One of the most healing words is. 'No.'

One of the most beautiful words is, 'No.'

One of the most selfless words is, 'No.'

One of the most empowering words is, 'No.'

Don't give your power away. Don't wait until the word, 'Yes,' almost kills you to say,

'NO!'

So open your mouth and say it.

It could save your life.

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God In Pictures

A while back I posted some of these marvelous billboards.

Now it is time to do it again. Sometimes God says it all without us even inquiring.

The answers are always all around us.
Look up? It's a bird. It's a plane.
It's God.

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Stranger By The River

I often get asked about love. I don't know why? I think people are always looking for it, but don't know where it is?

Is God's love different from human love? Does it last a lifetime? Is love real or just an illusion? The answer to all of the above is a resounding 'Yes!'

You never have to look outside of yourself for love. We are all Soul. Soul exists because God loves it. If we didn't come from love, then we couldn't give love.

We all have the capacity to love. We express it in varying degrees to people in our lives. For instance you can love a brother differently than you would love a mate.

You can love your job, your hair, your favorite television show, music, etc., but the degree in which you love these things is on a superficial level, nevertheless, it is still exercising your capacity to love.

When you love another person, you are usually loved in return which solidifies your reason for loving, unless it is unrequited which is a dead end.

God loves us without restraint. Even if we don't love God, we exist, thus proving God loves us.

This real love lasts forever. We can rely on it. When we cry, it is there. When we laugh, it is there. When we go through the most difficult times of our lives, it is still there. It is always there, whether we see it or not.

One of my favorite books is Stranger By The River by Paul Twitchell. In its poetic prose, it speaks of love. It lends itself to contemplation.

If you have had a hard day at work and you need something to give you strength to make it through the next day, you can read it when you get home to help balance your inner harmony. You can read short or long passages.

I have a technique where I'll ask God to show me what I need to know? Whatever page I open to is exactly what I need to know.

It works every time. The reason I like Stranger By The River is because it's an easy read. I can take it with me if I have to wait at any appointment. It's an all around book that I can read as many times as I like. Every time I read it, I feel love flow from the pages.

"If you try to live in this world without cultivating love for God, you will be entangled more and more. You will be overwhelmed with its dangers, its griefs, and its sorrows. And the more you think of worldly things, the more you will be in need of them. Secure the oil of divine love and then put thyself to the task of thine own duties of this world."

Remember you are loved.

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Up, Up And Away Part II

Just because its an airline ticket doesn't mean the prices have to be up, up and away. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The additional standard taxes and/or passenger fees are as follows:

• The total fees not included in the offer price typically range from $12.00 USD to $46.00 USD per ticket for domestic travel (except for travel to or from Alaska or Hawaii, where such fees could be $59.00 USD) and are less than $200 USD for international travel, but could be higher.
• A September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 USD applies per flight segment (maximum charge per trip--$5.00 USD one-way, $10.00 USD round-trip). A flight segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing.
• Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18.00 USD may apply depending upon the itinerary chosen.
• A Travel Facilities Tax of up to $14.00 USD per round-trip for domestic flights beginning or ending in Alaska or Hawaii may apply depending upon the itinerary chosen.
• A federal domestic flight segment fee of $3.20 USD applies per flight segment. U.S. or International Departure and Arrival Charges: U.S. or international departure and arrival charges of up to $200.00 USD may apply depending upon the itinerary chosen.
• Each airline ticket purchased through priceline carries a non-refundable fee of $4.95 to $14.95 USD, which applies to both e-tickets and paper tickets.
• A $19.95 USD shipping and handling fee will be charged if your itinerary requires the issuance of paper tickets. If your tickets are rerouted or are undeliverable, there will be an additional $19.95 USD re-handling fee.
• Itinerary changes, if permitted for the fare are non-changeable and non-cancelable, will have a $30.00 USD service fee charge and may have an additional change fee charged by the airline of up to $200.00 USD that will vary by market, carrier and specific fare rule.

Isn't the fine print splendid? Why is an e-ticket the same price of a paper ticket? I began to think of alternative ways to travel. Why not travel in a hot air balloon? Why didn't we have hybrid airplanes yet to save on those outrageous fuel surcharges?

Some airplanes taxi on the runway with one engine and take off slower to save fuel, however they don't pass any savings on to us; they add more.

Maybe Tristan could take flying lessons? They certainly would be cheaper than flying on a commercial carrier. What fees were next?

Perhaps a fee for conversation? Using the restroom? Sitting in a seat? Making eye contact? Watching the awful in-flight film? Reclining? Sleeping? Wearing a Seattle? Life jacket? Breathing?

I better tell Tristan to look straight ahead, don't talk to anyone and don't move and to breathe slowly. His ten hour flight may not be comfortable, but it won't cost him an arm and a leg either. Okay maybe a couple of cramped legs.

He could always stand once he got to his destination, unless they charge for getting off the airplane too?

There are no short cuts to God and no discount fares to get there. God is something that is hard won. But the rewards are priceless and the experience is grand.

As I finished this post, I got a frantic call from Tristan. His flight was confirmed -- for standby! What, how did this happen?

See, I told you, there are no short cuts. Soon we will all reach our final destinations, so we may as well enjoy the flight. Yes, there will be turbulence, clouds, rain, but if we can weather the storms, we can withstand anything.

Pardon me, I better rectify Tirstan's ticket before he flies off the handle. And that's one flight he can take without a ticket.

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Up, Up And Away Part I

After spending 48 hours on the phone and internet simultaneously, trying to book an airline fight for Tristan; my head is spinning, my neck and shoulders are aching and my fingers are sore, but who is complaining?

The first twenty-four hours of my mission was spent only on the phone, but when that proved fruitless because most travel agencies are closed on the weekend, I headed out onto the information superhighway; the first line of defense in finding anything.

Four hours later of going through web page after web page, I found nothing, then Mr. Impatient himself took over because I was taking too long. I left him to it and did a quick errand.

While I was out, I still tried more airline companies from my cell phone. Between the extensive hold time and the automated menus, it also proved futile.

When I returned, I found Tristan wide-eyed and frenzied. He was sweating and panting, looking exhausted. He mumbled something that I couldn't understand and pointed to the screen.

I quickly got him some water. Once he got his tongue into place, he said the computer was mocking him. He had been trapped on web page after web page that teased him with a low fare, only to find that the fare didn't include the miscellaneous taxes and other fees.

He then went to priceline.com and put his own price in, which proved to be another exhausting measure because they never give you the price you ask for. It is always preset, which they fail to disclose. The price also fluctuates every couple of hours.

I resumed my position at the keyboard and clicked the link to 'Other fees.' I was flabbergasted at what I found.

(to be continued)

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