Monthly Archives: May 2012

The Lost Horse – Blessing or Disaster?

A man who lived on the northern frontier of China was skilled in interpreting events. One day, for no reason, his horse ran away to the nomads across the border. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?” Some months later his horse returned, bringing a splendid nomad stallion. Everyone congratulated him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a disaster?” Their household was richer by a fine horse, which his son loved to ride. One day he fell and broke his hip. Everyone tried to console him, but his father said, “What makes you so sure this isn’t a blessing?”

A year later the nomads came in force across the border, and every able-bodied man took his bow and went into battle. The Chinese frontiersmen lost nine of every ten men. Only because the son was lame did the father and son survive to take care of each other. Truly, blessing turns to disaster, and disaster to blessing: the changes have no end, nor can the mystery be fathomed.

The Lost Horse,
Chinese Folktale.

A lucky and auspiscous day

I had two great strokes of luck today.  First, I went by Natures Market Health Foods and they asked for extra Horizons magazines since so many are picked up at their store.  Yay!  While there, I picked up some nutritional yeast at $7.31 per pound —  a much better price than $11.55 at the Paradise Health chain.  Paradise is right around the corner from me but their prices are always crazy high.  I woke up thinking Roomi and I should get a second recliner and we briefly discussed it.  While we were out delivering magazines, I  thought we might drive up to the Habitat for Humanity Restore  or the large Goodwill store on Wickham or in Rockledge to see if they had one.  On the way to Natures Market, I passed the smaller Goodwill on Babcock, prefering to search the larger stores.  Yet at the last minute, I felt compelled to pulled into the parking lot and go into the store.  They had a tan faux leather recliner, gently used for $45.  It fit in the car.  I love when Spirit guides me to exactly what I want the moment I think of wanting it.

The haunted chair

When I step out of that vibe, I step out of that world

A few days before the Memorial Day weekend, I felt sad and grieving for no apparent reason. That’s how my spidey sense tells me someone I know is passing.  I learned 2 days later that a dear brother had died.  He was in a lot of pain with a terminal illness, so his passing was a sweet relief.  The day after that, I learned another longtime friend was in the process of leaving her body.  Also terminal and at home with family and Hospice, she was on Day 18 of refusing food and water. Through waves of sadness, I set the prayer chain in motion and sat in meditation to connect with her in spirit, giving permission and spending some final time.  I believe one of the best things we can do for our loved ones is pray for their comfort and easy passing, knowing that once they drop their body they will re-emerge in a place of relief and no pain, of understanding and being intensely alive, supported in every sense, totally content and at peace.  Two hours later, she peacefully passed.

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As a journalist, I draw the reader’s attention to the good that is happening

see-the-goodI’ve learned to stay away from the news, simply because I don’t care to vibrate there.  As a journalist, I recognize the hype.  Journalists, by definition, put information in their own words and make it creative in their own way so it will draw attention.  Personally, my attention is never drawn to doom and gloom.  I’ve learned to be prepared for change.  To pre-pave into my future that I will feel hopeful and have deep faith, belief and expectation then as I do now, so that my happy tomorrows will be there waiting for me, they will take on lives of their own and call ME to THEM.  My attention is drawn by the most hopeful “what if?”  My attention is drawn by demonstrations of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. If, as a journalist, it is my choice as to what I wish to draw the reader’s attention to, then this is it: Continue reading

I can’t fault someone for something they know nothing about

I can’t fault someone for not giving me time and space to process something if I don’t tell them I am processing something. Recently I’ve felt very down and grieveful for no apparent reason.  When I’m not being mindful of how I’m feeling and the impact my behavior has on those around me, tension fills the air.  I don’t always realize how I’m feeling until I take the thought time to consider it.  If I don’t take time to think about it, due to my habit of continual busy work, it blows up and magnifies when there is no need to.  That’s not fun for anyone. I learned this week that that a dear brother has passed.  He was in a lot of pain with a terminal illness, so his passing is a sweet relief.  I got the news in the midst of a group of people and had hours of in-public work to do before I could have time alone with my thoughts. Of course I snapped at those closest to me, who have no clue what is going on.  At least now I catch myself within an hour of doing it and get outa Dodge before I can rain on everyone’s parade.

Her perception upon dying
The End of Death as We Know it
Three Dreams by Willis Harman (see #3)

 

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth – bug killer that won’t kill you

Diatomaceous Earth (food grade): bug killer you can eat!   Diatomaceous Earth (often referred to as “DE”) is an off white talc-like powder that is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton. When sprinkled on a bug that has an exoskeleton (such as bed bugs, ants or fleas) it gets caught between their little exoskeleton joints. As they move, the diatomaceous earth acts like razor blades and cuts them up. But it doesn’t hurt mammals. We can eat it. We do eat it! It’s in lots of grain based foods because lots of grains are stored with diatomaceous earth to keep the bugs from eating the grain. Continue reading

How the unseen impacts the seen

Sometimes I am working in a file and am having a hard time getting the text and images to line up right.  That always means there is some hidden code somewhere in the file that is preventing me from doing that.  All I need to do is locate and remove the offending code.  But first I have to remember that the problem is the code, and sometimes I may spend hours trying to fix something before I remember, it is hidden from me.  I cannot see it with my eye, I must find where it is hidden.  Kinda like life.

The Imposter Syndrome: just another social phobia we invent for ourselves

According to Wikipedia, “The Impostor Syndrome, sometimes called impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which people are unable to internalize  their accomplishments.  Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.  The Impostor Syndrome, in which competent people find it impossible to believe in their own competence, can be viewed as complementary to the Dunning–Kruger effect, in which incompetent people find it impossible to believe in their own incompetence.”  Interesting. Continue reading

I cleaned algae from the bird bath in the front courtyard and turned the sprinkler on. Now I’ve got two sets of cardinals (2 are babies!) and 2 doves bathing in it, going wild. Birds really get into their baths, don’t they?