Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gaia Gets Even!


Wow, Hurricane Irene was something, wasn’t she! So much media hype before, during, and after, if you still had electricity.  Mother Nature has been busy showing us what she’s got.  And boy, she brought plenty of things for show-and-tell these past days.  It started with a little earthquake, which is unusual for the east coast.  After giving us a wake-up shake, she tossed buckets of water over our heads to make sure we got out of bed.  Then she sent Zephyr’s older, wilder cousin to play with our trees, ripping off branches or knocking them over completely.

So what’s going on?  Global warming, climate change, karmic retribution, Mother Earth’s revenge, Gaia Gets Even . . . Does it really matter?  No.  Just let it be a reminder that we, mankind, are not as all-powerful as we seem to think, that there are some things that can twirl us around like tumbleweeds, change our fields into rivers and our oceans into witchy cauldrons.  There are times we need to surrender to what is around us and simply take cover and observe from a distance.  Maybe there is a reason for all this crazy weather, but I am not the one to pinpoint what it could be. I think, though, that it would benefit us to act like ancient civilizations and decide that we need to appease our Earth, be kinder to Mother Nature, respect our planet.  No virgin sacrifices necessary, just common sense. 

You know what to do to make this a better place to live.  Do it.  Set the example.  Watch others follow.  Can’t hurt!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Don't Worry, Be Happy


Don't worry about it, because if you worry about it, then we all have to worry about it.

This in a yoga class when a student forgot something in her car and kept apologizing for the interruption as she got up, put on shoes and went out.

Meaning, if she had quietly taken care of her issue the rest of us wouldn't even have noticed her coming and going; as it was, we were all involved as we told her it was okay, and watched her put on her shoes, then reassured her again as she apologized on her return.  


Ask yourself why you are apologizing:  Is it for your own benefit or for others’?  Sometimes it’s better not to worry about it!


Monday, August 8, 2011

Song for Today


Listen to things you cannot hear

Look at things you cannot see

Speak of that for which you have no words

Comprehend what you don’t understand

Love those you haven’t met

Sing songs you haven’t heard

Pray for what you don't know you need

Do the things you cannot imagine

Give compassion to all

Say thank you


Monday, August 1, 2011

Silly Ol' Bear

When carrying a jar of honey to give to a friend for his birthday, don’t stop and eat it along the way. 
   --Wisdom from Pooh Bear

There is an understanding of the Universe that everything we need is available to us, and that there is enough for everyone. Still, we sometimes find ourselves being a little stingy, making sure we have what we need for ourselves and our little nuclear family, and rationalizing that others can get what they need their own darn selves!  Yes, ideally everyone would be open to what is “out there” and this would be a perfect world; realistically not everyone is ready to accept that there is no need to scramble over others to get what is needed, and that by helping others we help ourselves.  Someone needs to be the good example!

There are many facets to this issue:  You need to keep your Self in good working order to be able to help others -- when the oxygen masks drop, put yours on first or you won’t be able to assist anyone else!  Some people don’t have it in them to take care of themselves, and we need to see this as an opportunity, not a drag.  Every person, whether CEO or Somalian refugee, has the same worth.

But remember that there is Enough!  Take what you need and no more, and then help others to take what they need for themselves. 

Oh, and by the way, there is a reward for this kind of giving life.  And it’s worth the trouble.