Memorial Day Weekend

I mowed the back lawn this morning, and I finally dragged that huge old grill to the front of the house for the trash-man to pick up.   I see him drive past while the grill clings to the fence gate.  After trimming the yard, I have to remove 3.5’ x 6’ area of sand that had accumulated under the grill.  That means walking with a shovel full of dirt to the various holes the dogs dug out around the foundation of the house. 

There’s a swimming pool calling my name. 

I have to empty the rain water off the pool cover anyway, before it begins to drag the sides of the pool inward draining it of its water. 

After my little splish splash, I decide to read a book.  Within an hour I went inside to get my iPod and Bose speaker.    It’s not even noon yet, and I find myself in the pool again.  By now I have grabbed my pipe and lighter and decided it’s going to be a mental health day.

I feel a tug of guilt because it's only Thursday, and my wife’s at work, yet here I am enjoying myself.  So I get my laptop out, and I’m using my djembe (drum) as a patio desk.   That way I can say I did some work today, in an attempt to relieve the guilt.  Still, my room with a view is far better than my wife’s. 

But as I float on my back in the red-neck Rivera, I watch the small rolly pulley  wrens whistle and play within the ivy vine that climbs the tree.  “Wow, I see a baby red-headed woodpecker!”

I love woodpeckers!   They are drummers too.   I wonder if there is a nest within the vine.  He just jumped out from nowhere.

“Oh wow, and there’s a hawk circling directly above me!”  I catch glimpses here and there as the powerful rapture flickers in and out among the branches of the mighty oak tree.  “What a treat!”

I am so fucking blessed!  This day is a blessing!  Now comes the tanning oil, and eventually the Florida afternoon rain arrives, but the sun still shines. as water falls from the sky.   I just love it! 

The communion between humans, nature, and the holy spirits who watch us, protect us, and love us, is one to be respected and honored.  With great gratitude I thank you Creator for this special day.  And thank you to the lovers of life – regardless of which side of the curtain you’re on (and special hugs for my wife) ♥ 

Have a Happy & Safe Memorial Day Weekend!

Photo by Time

Love, Abundance & Gratitude

It is said that when we fall in love, we fall in love with the world as well.  We’re floating on a cloud and nothing matters more than that happiness high.  When our hearts overflow, with all that love, all most nothing can bring us down.  Even so, if some misfortune was to occur, we find comfort in our new found love. 

But you say, after the years begin to add up, love fades. 

I say to you, that love only seems to fade when we quit thanking the Creator for that love.  Nothing appreciates without gratitude.

Now don’t get me wrong, in the physical world, the word appreciate often refers to an increase in value, and gratitude is nothing more than money.  But in the spiritual world, gratitude is appreciation; an appreciation for happiness, love, and companionship.  Notice money isn’t mentioned in this quest for love and acceptance. 

Money is nothing more than a creation of man; a façade traded for survival.  There is nothing spiritual about it, and if we were truly living as God/Love intended, then there would be no use for money. The spiritual path intended is one where we rely on each others strengths for survival.  Before money was ever invented, we relied on our skills and traded items of necessity. 

The word abundance is often related to financial gain; it means excess.  I try hard to understand this concept of wanting more, but to want more is to say I am unhappy with what I have.  Where’s the gratitude?

Gratitude is not wanting more, it’s being happy with what we have.  Like the word gratitude, man attached a monetary value to the word abundance, and its spiritual meaning was lost long ago.  I believe abundance is the expression of the love and gratitude that we generate that in turn radiates all about us.

I say this because when I stand on my back porch in the summer, and I see all the green leafy plants surrounding me, and all the life dancing around and flying above, the word abundance is what I feel.  So much life everywhere!  I am abundantly grateful. 

In the end, money can’t buy you love, but gratitude can feed you all the love you will ever need.

 

 

 

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES

When I was a kid, “Keeping up with the Joneses” was comparing your self financially to others.  It is a form of conspicuous consumption; gaining social status from the public display of economic power.  But by today’s social standards it’s more like measuring your worth to food stamps, and a welfare check.

People are actually comparing themselves to those of us less fortunate, with jealousy and envy.  Facebook memes circulate showing people on food stamps with a full refrigerator and the working class with empty refrigerators, as if there is any truth to the comparison.  In addition they judge the poor as being less deserving of cable television and a cigarette habit.  Where’s the compassion? 

The bible is full of stories regarding the poor.  Deuteronomy 15:11 states, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land.  Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”

Take for instance Jesus, who was a long haired barefoot dude who relied heavily on the compassion of others for shelter and food, as he traveled the country side spreading the word of God, he hung out with poor people. 

Researchers have discovered that poor people are often more compassionate than individuals who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.  They concluded to be born privileged is to be denied the challenges that promote empathy and gratitude.

From a psychological view, comparing your self to others will only make you unhappy; plain and simple.   Regardless of the subject, it is negative behavior. 

If you want good things to happen for you in life, you must keep your thoughts positive. Change your thoughts to those of gratitude. Be grateful for what you have.   When you are grateful, more good things will come to you.  But if you are negative in your thoughts, you close the door on the endless possibilities that await you.

In the words of Sri Chinmoy, an Indian spiritual master, and recipient of the Mahatma Gandhi Universal Harmony Award, as well as the Mother Teresa Award, “Let us serve the world soulfully.  The pay we will receive for our service will be in the currency of gratitude.  God’s gratitude.”

It is better to be fruitful than to be condemning.  Now go and spread the seeds of love.