Chronicles March 2005

March 1st 2005

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~ pinch, punch, first day of the month ~

symbols of superstition, as saying white rabbits three times over will evoke luck and good fortune

Good fortune! We are prone to believe in our good fortune, if we keep our feelings bright and motivated. Same goes for ill fortune, it much depends on our outlook. For when we are positive and see what we can influence with courage and intent, we blossom. Courage comes from confidence, we are oft tested, and we learn wisdom, the things we can change and those we best leave. Wisdom is important, our own and those we share with and trust. Often our self doubt is overcome with an encouraging word. Heed your heart, and trust to your wisdom. Reflections make for understandings about the possible and beyond.

March 2nd 2005

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~ being able to see~

being able to see comes in all forms, sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

And other senses I find more important to today. The use of our feelings and our thinking. Our feelings so often submerged in many instances, for to give away our sense of feelings offers up our vulnerable selves. Our thinking, it holds us together when feelings are lost in turmoil’s we don't recognise. And when the physical senses are fully engaged, where are our feelings?

Gifted with feelings above all, and our thinking so powerful rationalising our day to day.. we deploy seven senses of now.

Seven senses, could there be eight. I guess today, all eight came into play. My spiritual sense, the eighth I mention is of course our primary sense.

Spiritual sense: supra-ordinate, masquerades as common sense. For our common sense is founded in feeling and oft expressed as love, woven to a pattern in our thinking sensibilities. Our Spiritual wellbeing needs a flood from all senses to make sense of our world.

The depth of our spirit and expression in spiritual matters owes much to experience of living. Happiness and joy, pure simplicity in friendship, inclusions and control of ourselves masters our meaning.

Joy envelopes as mysteries are revealed and the open heart accepts the day unfolding.

March 3rd 2005

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~ power ~

we all have a little power we can apply to ourselves, it gives us manageable moments in an otherwise powerless environment we call life.

Powerlessness over people places and things. If we are lucky we learn this lesson, we have no legitimate power over people, places and things. People especially are always a law unto themselves. Unhappy is the mind that feels it can bend its will to control others. Feeble is the illusion of power over just about anything. It will not last.

Best to keep one's own mind focussed. Keep a grip on our own behaviour, learn from others and our experience. Keep a grip on our own ego, our own influence and our own small world. Build confidence through sharing and applying wisdom to our day. Accept we cannot change some things, others we can and keep piling on the wisdom. The wisdom that some things are worth it, and others...

just a rock and hard place where experience in the school of hard knocks adds nothing to our substance.

March 4th 2005

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~ opinion ~

we all have an opinion even if we wished we had no opinion

We are gifted with all manner of useful tools. Our heads are full of awareness and judgements. We often react with good judgement and sadly get a sting when our judgement is off. Today my opinions bother me when I get drawn into things where I have no business anymore.

Opinions, the very devil to let go, when we have feelings deep down which are touched by the behaviour of other people. Other people help us form opinion and judgements. Judgements are a sad place to spend ones time, when the here and now is so important.

Find an opinion on happiness, find a little bit of joy to add sparkle to your day. It can be a fleeting memory of love, of passion about most anything you hold close and dear in your thoughts. Our feelings are paramount in our opinions, have Joyous moments and feelings somewhere in every day...

March 5th 2005

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~ a look back at the week~

sometimes our spiritual and emotional well being can be hard to maintain

Bad weather, high cost of fuel and other matters, provided challenge to my well being. It is tough to reconcile, getting well and dealing with most everything beyond my influence

When people believe they are right, their ability to change their point of view is often impossible. When people feel challenged, it lays them prone to feel vulnerable.

A week then of intractable discussions and information for some to digest. When people feel that their power is being threatened, they tend to put up their defences. When defences are up, there is no listening and no accommodation of views.

Generally we all get dumb and stupid when we feel this threat. Smart people listen and negotiate. Dumb people make the threat of pain worse by their stupidity.

Dumb people hold on to ideas and defences which will not cover their arses, let alone keep them from harm.

Dumb people and stupid people hide behind procedure and process. Dumb people come unstuck because they are responsible for their own actions or inaction. Dumb people wonder why they end up sidelined and out of the picture. Dumb people blame others for their stupidity.

Dumb people through their customs and practice, don't change, they remain dumb and stupid.

I too can be dumb and stupid, I just hope I wake up to myself before its too late to change.

March 6th 2005

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~ inspiration ~

How can we serve others around us? By making our lives inspirational and interacting with tact and wisdom. We should be so cheerful, and our lives such examples, that they say 'Here is an angel.'

March 7th 2005

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~ when harmony breaks ~

when harmony breaks, the fabric of life dissolves in moments

Our reaction to breakdowns, when dissolution is happening, is out of the ordinary. Our ways of coping are often as disastrous as the event. We are caught in a spin, we deny this is happening, we get cross and angry. We feel the frustration of no control and we get depression as were are displaced.

How quickly we heal from hurt, is our mending. Mending comes from understanding our process. Mending comes from experience of these pains and the events which are best described as calamities, minor or major.

We experience these painful moments because of injustice, being let down and having no power to put right our harmony.

We need to get on with and trust our community. Betrayal, by accident or design is our way of understanding. We may oft forgive the betrayal, and never forget it.

Deceit and betrayal, fundamental are traded as gifts by weak people. Truth is never traded and Trust developed by those who seek redemption when their human side atones with a heartfelt expression of sorrow.

Careful listening, to one learning life's mistakes, enable forgiveness as we all need, in our human state...

that we are human, and make mistakes.

March 8th 2005

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~ perfection is an unfinished study ~

perfection, an oft explored state of being, and never one we might readily sign up for, yet we strive for it

When can we ever let go our striving for perfection? Certainly in our world, we are so often measured and regarded for high achieving. It is the very devil, where we will never be content. As long as there is a time in our lives where we apply outside measures to our success, and let ourselves be judged, then we have no real chance at peace and harmony.

Peace and harmony are found in acceptance of the day as it is, our ability to apply ourselves to situations, and make the best we can of them. We are able then to acknowledge our growth through learning. Our learning is the equal of our mistakes perceived and our reaction to them. A learning reaction is favoured, where we let go any blame as we learn from early failures to engage and produce.

So perfection, daily and in life, is always an unfinished work, perfection lies in incomplete works, for there is always room to amend and replay, to outcomes which feel perfect in an imperfect world....

March 9th 2005

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~ patience is a virtue ~

patience is generally a virtue

We need to temper our feelings on getting things done, sometimes our time for accomplishing something can be far away in our own mind, or extremely important to get done right away by others. We only find out what’s going on when we talk and discuss what needs accomplishing with others involved.

When we react and when others react might have no meaning without context, and context is only found in discussion.

Rash and knee jerk reactions will be the very devil to sort out if we react alone. Responsive and clearly necessary exchanges, in person often get the best result.

Reaction and response, two clear and separate endeavours, where we can be reckless and where we can be calm... our choice.

March 10th 2005

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~ unconditionally accept ~

We all find occasion to reject and resist another person. We all like to put up a fight against anything we dislike on the evening news as we spectate the world. But we forget that when we decide we will resist something or somebody, either mentally or physically, we only empower the object of our resistance, either in reality or in our own minds. If you want to enjoy the ability to influence, always start with acceptance. If you want to disarm another begin with acceptance. If you want to encourage and empower another to change, start with acceptance. Don't make it conditional. Otherwise it's just resistance disguised as acceptance, and you are still trying to control them. And we can all smell a controller...can't you?

March 11th 2005

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~ Fridays sometimes are welcome~

yes the end of the week for some and for others just another day. And a holy day for many too.

It is best the view each day as new, not the start of or the end of, or an obligation to..

If we find our generous nature, we view all days as equal in opportunity to make it our best day. And we know we can. We have our remembrances and we have our gratitude. We often squander the day in rapid and action packed moments we count to our fulfilment.

And so easily we find it hard to be fulfilled, when the moment is hard to savour. Let a moment pass to make use our good sense to find the value in our enterprise. As we see our gift, so too we value and see the gift of creation and our part in its splendour.

March 12th 2005

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~ public speaking ~

I used to do a lot of this, for years tho' I stayed away and got on with living a new way of life.

Yes a return to doing something which was second nature after many years. I gave it up as I gave up sharing what was going on in my world. A very small world.

Now I find I have learned much over the last few years which with the benefit of hindsight, has purpose in sharing. Sharing how my new world is, a world where my eyes are more open and my heart is more understood by me and by others. I am learning so much in these new days, as each day unfolds and as my perception is sharp and honed to understand complexity and above all simplicity.

Simplicity, the art of acceptance, the art of experiencing the day as it is. Portents and reality, now one in the same, leads to bliss and feeling reflections....

March 13th 2005

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~ readiness ~

The less I think about doing something and the faster I just get on with it, the fewer problems I cause myself. Good planning is always helpful, but time spent fretting and procrastinating is a major drain on my energy...

March 14th 2005

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~ the habit of introspection ~

I need to develop the habit of introspection and spend time listening carefully to my own thoughts and feelings.

March 15th 2005

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~ fragrant heart ~

The heart is like a flower - unless it is open it cannot release its fragrance into the world.

March 16th 2005

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~ science & silence ~

Everything is possible by science, but nothing is impossible by silence.

And something is possible in dialogue...

Dumb stuff. Those who remain silent through choice, when all is not well, receive the harshest moments of self scrutiny. If only I'd said....

Keep faith with expression, even when ears are deaf, and talking feels like a pea soup. At least you said it... and always with care one strives

March 17th 2005

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~ forgive ~

One of the secrets of a long and fruitful life is to forgive everybody, everything, every night before you go to bed.

March 18th 2005

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~ let go ~

Just as the bird has to find the courage to let go of the branch in order to fly, so we also must let go of our branches if we are to know the exhilaration of soaring to the highest potential of our life. The branches we hold to are our inner attachments - our beliefs, ideas and memories. And then there are the outer attachments - people, possessions, positions and privileges are a few. But as long as we hold on to them we will live in fear (of letting go and loss) and we will never be free. And just watch those birds, by letting go of one branch they are able to spend the rest of their life alighting on a million other branches, and they enjoy the view from each. Are you flying and soaring in your life, or are you stuck on one branch, cursing others as they fly past. Go on, try it ...let go!

March 19th 2005

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~ serving others ~

The secret of finding deep fulfilment lies in serving others. The boss who looks after his staff and customers as he would his own family is a successful boss and a happy human being.

March 20th 2005

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~ Sunday morning ~

A lot of moments to recall, and not one above another. A rich tranche or slice of life delivered. When I keep my eyes open in my big and small community. Amongst several million people, I meet frequently and often with intimate friends. People who know me for my strengths and as some may label, my defects. I have no problem with the word defect, I do when applied to people. This is not some quirk of my mentality. It is the application of labels to people which makes me concerned.

Best not to label people so we can appreciate them for what we are yet to experience than look to what we may expect in their demeanour.

Good news like a warm day... And some sharing with friends in the morning. We all agreed we are powerless over people, places and things. This means we agreed power over people, places and things, well its not possible short or long term. We imagine and rightly that our exertion of will over all aspects of life means we hold it still and it cannot be achieved. We get more from participating in the world as it rolls along and we simply move along with it, and not against it.

Fortunately we are able to choose a path along the way, we are never rid of our preferences, at the same time resistance is pretty much a brake we should be careful to apply. Applying the brake to reality is rather dangerous and leads to being left behind. Better to gently moderate our journey and let our step be firm upon the path we choose. And share the path we are walking with like minded. A firm step with courage, some wisdom borrowed or grown inside and we can make a difference to our lives.

I saw a familiar face yesterday, good, as I mentioned to find a familiar in so many millions who like me tread a softer path to daily endeavour.

The daily endeavour, stretching a whole day, we can enjoy our endeavour, given a little encouragement and support...

March 21st 2005

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~ keep it simple ~

so easy to make everything elaborate, we work and strive for perfection, when perfection is often the easiest solution.

We are often asked to make something unique, or at least we think we should. When we are confident, we accept the simple solution, when we are unsure we attempt many alternatives to make sure we have left no stone unturned...

Sometimes, and most often, leave the stones where they are. Get on with life and enjoy these stepping stones to happiness.

March 22nd 2005

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~ calmness and silence ~

Calmness increases efficiency. Silence increases effectiveness

March 23rd 2005

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~ spiritual fertiliser ~

Without the spirit, knowledge would never flower into wisdom and incident would never flower into experience.

March 24th 2005

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~ How are we feeling ~

We often feel displaced and forgotten, we loom large in our own thoughts and not in others. We feel excluded and alone. We feel too big and we feel too small.

Getting to feel the right size for our skin is maybe an easy to do thing for many. And for an equal number feeling the right size is as hard as life itself. We are best when we feel comfortable, at ease and accepted. Best we start accepting ourselves for what we are and not what we think we should be.

Before you go to bed tonight, find a little gratitude, for yourself, and find a little peace in a moment reflecting on the good of the day. In every day, some good feeling might be caught in a breath. And even on the worst of days... there is a memory somewhere to catch hold and squeeze a drop of warmth. Even beyond hope, where no one would wish to spend time, keep breathing till the dark passes, some good will come.

March 25th 2005

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~ higher power ~

we are in awe most days of what we see. That is, if we are able to see beyond ourselves for answers. Take a look in the mirror, what you see there, is beyond the will of man to create. We are part of nature, a part of something far greater than ourselves, a higher power and force of nature.

I have had a struggle over the years. With anything that might be more powerful than me. We all have superior feeling and thinking powers. Yet in my own mind now, I know there is always a power greater than me. The higher power? It is obvious even to the most gifted intellect, that a power greater than one, has superior potential. So in my quest, I resolve to listen to any power greater than one, in essence the wisdom of many in whose footsteps I tread, all of us with well worn feet.

When I listen, I hear a Universe, when we listen we hear great truths laid down, simple stupid. How was it I could not listen most my life to anything but my own chatter? It really does not matter, what matters is the journey wherever it may go...

March 26th 2005

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~ knowing people in our lives are well ~

this may seem a self evident truth, we want people in our lives to be well and happy

Sometimes we drift away from people we know and care for. We find times move us to far away places. Places can be geographically near, we just a stones throw from where they are. Yet we lose sight of and contact with people we love. And love, for friends and family. Its good we recall and remember our friends and loved ones. Without them we have no humanity.
So I feel great humility for my humanity. And I consider those alone without friendship, without the pull of humanity, lost without humility and the connection which enables our gifts of love.
We learn how to be human, best offer that opportunity when presented, even when to do so, might seem the least appropriate action. We all learn by example, lets hope we keep on learning...

March 27th 2005

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~ the call from Elysium ~

At the end of the world where the Gods with prescience choose the fate of mere mortals. A sad encounter where we tally our good and bad, and the choice is never ours. How good and bad we are, how much we have learned to vouchsafe our passage.

And our passage to paradise?

Hold still happy pilgrims in the fields of Elysium, for its a crowded place of mishaps and happenstance. There is no grim reaper there to ease our passage. For the reaping is done and the die cast, set in solemn stones of judgement?

It is true, we who sit and judge, are as those we bestow our favours. With wisdoms kick and that other gift, we are stalled as acceptance demands forgiveness.

Amongst our high order there is the recognition in God, our creator, one sure attribute, that of redemption through learning our humility, we condemn no soul to hell as forgiveness opens the gates of heaven to one and all. How else would our spirit ever move to substance and harmony?

No end to forgiveness, stumps the frail and haughty, as God moves forever mysteriously in my conscience, that ever present chatter between good and evil...

March 28th 2005

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~ a call to perfection ~

we are often riddled with ideas and expectations, about people, places and things.

Most of us are full of expectations, we learn them as we go along. We are often driven to want and need more than anyone can possibly achieve in one lifetime. And we can never meet our expectations because they are always beyond us in some way.

So afflicted with the highest notions for ourselves, we pass on the same bleak outlook to those we know and those we revere in some way. We are involved in competitive stretches in our minds eye to achieve goals and falling short, it makes us strive harder or give up entirely.

When we don't cut ourselves a break. When we don't let our hero's be human, our discontent and sense of being let down, it cuts deeper than any sense of achievement.

Hearing the consensus, we hear we must take giant leaps of faith and big steps to our success. And for some, as luck has it, the achievements are greater than our wildest imaginations.

When we adjust our expectations, to achievable steps, when we give ourselves and others a break, for being human, the greatest strides are made for mankind.

And no one, need be left behind and no one need be let down. Take an achievable step, keep your dreams, and move with a positive manageable step to your future. enjoy your toil and the day, this day, and tomorrow shines brightly as a new fresh canvas to apply your art.

Your Art? Is you....

March 29th 2005

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~ esteem yourself ~

If you base your self-esteem on anything you possess, on your reputation in others' eyes, or on one or two of your current talents, you will not have real self-esteem. You will be vulnerable to loss, over which you have no control, or to inadequacy in situations which you have not yet learned to handle. But if you base your self-esteem on what you are and what you have in spirit, you will feel yourself to be both rich and great. Spiritual self-esteem is anchored in the knowledge and experience of our own eternity and indestructibility as soul, and the innate, imperishable qualities of spirit which we each possess. They are the spiritual attributes of love, peace, truth and the bliss of just being. They are the inner wealth of every human spirit, from which all other forms of wealth is derived. It's just that most of us do not yet experience this to be true. Why is that? What do you think?

March 30th 2005

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~ managing ourselves ~

The good news is we can learn to manage ourselves in all our affairs. The bad news we have no control or power over others we encounter in our lives. They too are built for self management. A real difficulty can start to emerge as we grow. We develop self will, a particularly tricky situation. Self will, is the very devil, it will sometimes take us places we might enjoy, more often it takes us places destined for destruction.
How so?
Take a brief look at history and see... self will run riot!

March 31st 2005

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~ inner strength ~

Your inner strength is revealed by your gentle nature and tender heart.