Mariana Caplan, Ph.D. Psychotherapist and Author, Eyes Wide Open: Cultivating Discernment on the Spiritual Path writes, “It is a jungle out there, and it is no less true about spiritual life than any other aspect of life. Do we really think that just because someone has been meditating for five years, or doing 10 years of yoga practice, that they will be any less neurotic than the next person? At best, perhaps they will be a little bit more aware of it. A little bit. It is for this reason that I spent the last 15 years of my life researching and writing books on cultivating discernment on the spiritual path in all the gritty areas–power, sex, enlightenment, gurus, scandals, psychology, neurosis — as well as earnest, but just plain confused and unconscious, motivations on the path. My partner (author and teacher Marc Gafni) and I are developing a new series of books, courses and practices to bring further clarification to these issues.” Continue reading →

Mark Tietig 1983 aboard La Calma

A friend emailed me a recipe for a frittata this week, and Cousin heard me laughing when it came in.  What’s so funny about a frittata? he asked.  A frittata is an unturned unfolded omelette, similar to a stovetop quiche, which is best served right off the stove.  It has a wonderful creamy texture when eaten within moments of being cooked.  If it sits too long, it is less tasty, kind of like cold scrambled eggs.  Ugh.  Why is that funny?  The email came from a good buddy of mine, whom I went on a three month sailing trip with in 1983.  Mark Tietig, now an attorney who handles civil rights cases, notably the “Topfree 10” in Florida, was blinded in a sailing accident in 1979.  We met in 1982 and become fast friends immediately.  An avid sailor before being blinded, Mark taught me how to sail and in 1983 we embarked upon what would be a three month sailing trip up the coast from Miami to Annapolis in his 33′ Cheoy Lee cutter rigged sailboat, La Calma. Continue reading →

Dr. Masaru Emoto‘s research reveals that water physically responds to emotions and communications. He says “Now let’s give energy of love and gratitude to the waters and all the living creatures in Mexico Gulf by praying like this:  To the water, whales, dolphins, pelicans, fishes, shellfishes, planktons, corals, algae and all creatures in our Gulf of Mexico, I apologize.  Please forgive me.  Thank you.  I love you.*”

Masaru Emoto May, 9th 2010

*This is also the ho’oponopono process

The past week has been spent waiting to hear back about the mortgage refinance I applied for a week ago.  Everything had fallen magically into place for me, I had not even anticipated applying an hour before I did.  I just figured OK the Universe wants me to get a mortgage refinance, that’s why it’s all happening so easily. The inspector and appraiser came out within days, I got good reports back and an appraisal within $4K of my guess-stimate.  I did not need any repairs done – it was all good news!  But then I began to have second thoughts about having jumped in so quickly with such a major decision.  I’d also applied to include a $5500 loan for home improvements and thought – did I really want to finance that for 30 years?   That seemed mega-stoopid.  Continue reading →

Adjoining property

I like to hang on to land that I own.  I learned that from my family.  But I’ve also learned to stay as debt free as I can be.  I have these properties for sale so I can eliminate a debt that comes due shortly.  I would love for them to go to someone I know!

You may read the original post below, however all updated info is contained here –> Florida Land for Sale just 30 Minutes South of Daytona.   Continue reading →

I’ve been experimenting with melatonin supplements as a natural sleep aid.  When I have enough melatonin being naturally produced in my system, it’s because I get a good half hour of morning sunshine each day, and because I put myself in quiet and darkness for sleeping each night.  When I’m stressed, my melatonin is sucked away and that affects my ability to achieve restful sleep.  Not good.  Sleep is crucial and affects all aspects of health. Reasons to get enough sleep include improving learning and memory, balancing metabolism and weight, preventing mistakes, enhancing mood, promoting cardiovascular health and supporting stronger immune function. Continue reading →

Brain Chemicals and Modern Life:  It all comes down to our chemistry.  Fidgeting, concentration, sleep, energy levels, mood swings, even the ability to sweat are controlled by the chemicals lurking about our bodies.  Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, melatonin, insulin, and prostaglandins are some of the more important ones… and these in turn are influenced strongly by stress, diet, exercise, sunlight, sleep and other life style factors.  Of course the life style of today is radically different than it was 20,000 years ago.  Continue reading →

I spent yesterday getting documents together to refinance my home mortgage at a better interest rate. That wasn’t what I set out to do when I woke up. I was due at the downtown Melbourne post office at 8:30am Monday for the mailing of the June Horizons Magazine.  Then I was going to drive north to Cassadaga.  As I was packing the car, I thought, I should make up a deposit since I’ll pass right by the bank.  As I made up the deposit, I thought, I should ask what the balance is on my mortgage while I’m there.  As I grabbed my bank file so I’d have my account number in the car with me, I thought let me take my homeowner’s insurance file also, to ask what my $283 increase was for.  I saw my tax returns and thought, maybe I should see if I prequalify for a refinance while I’m at the bank, but didn’t take them.  I had a busy few days ahead and would think about that later. Continue reading →

When I was a kid, we raised rabbits, a few of which were pets, as well as a dog and a few cats through the years.  I don’t recall the first pet to die and be buried on the west side of the yard, but I recall we did a little ceremony of wrapping it up in a shoe box and burying it and putting a stick up with its name, saying prayers and throwing flowers over it.  My dad would say, “Animals are born and animals die.”  When we happened upon a deceased bird or frog, they’d get a ceremony too.  “Frogs are born and frogs die,” my brother would say, “Birds live and birds die.”    Then one day Ricky DeFeo’s dad across the street died, and when my dad heard, he looked sad and said, “People are born and people die.  When you die, you get to have anything you want.”  That was my first personal people death. Continue reading →

This is a poem my mom faxed me a few weeks before she passed, Author Unknown

If you could see where I have gone, the beauty of this place,
and how it feels to know you’re home, to see the Savior’s face.

To wake in peace and know no fear, just joy beyond compare,
while still on Earth you miss me yet, you wouldn’t want me there,
if you could see where I have gone.

If you could see where I have gone, had made the trip with me,
you’d know I didn’t go alone, the Savior came with me.

When I awoke, He was by my side and reached down His hand
He said “Hurry now, you’re going Home, to a grand and glorious land,
don’t worry over those you love, for I’m not just with you,
and don’t you know with you at Home, they’ll long to be here, too?”

If you could see where I have gone and see what I’ve been shown.
You’d never know another fear or ever feel alone.
You’d marvel at the care of God, His hand on every life.
And realize that He really cares and bears with us each strife,
and that He weeps when one is lost, His heart is filled with pain;
but oh, the joy when one comes Home; a child is Home again.

If you could see where I have gone, could stay awhile with me;
could share the things that God has made to grace eternity.

But no, you couldn’t ever leave, once Heaven’s joy you’ve known,
you couldn’t bear to walk Earth’s paths, once Heaven was your Home.

If you could see where I have gone, you’d know we’ll meet someday
And though I’m parted from you now, that I am just away.

And now that I’m Home with Him, secure in every way,
I’m waiting here at Heaven’s door to greet you some sweet day.

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