Star Bellied Sneetches Abound

Do you remember Dr. Seuss' story of the star bellied sneetches?

I am sickened on a daily basis by the news regarding racism. It is unbelievable to me that in this day and age, we are still so completely ignorant. When I hear excerpts from Obama's book "Dreams of My Father", when I hear sermons from Reverend Wright, when I hear unwarranted and hurtful comments from Don Imus...it truly drives me to tears. It is just not acceptable from any of them, from either angle.

This is going to go on forever until we just STOP. What is past is past. We have to forgive each other, let go and move on. We have to start viewing each other as fellow seekers in this world and help each other along the way.

I have a beautiful nephew who is 1-1/2 years old. My sister and brother in law adopted him at birth from a completely unselfish mother who wanted the best for him. He is black. They are white. I do not want him to have to grow up in a world where the subject of their skin colors would even be something he'd think about. Guess what? He doesn't think about it now. He adores them. They adore him. Why do we have to teach him anything different? Why?

God forgive us.

Take It Back

The war is not in Iraq. It's right here, being fought against corrupt politicians on both sides. This presentation reminds us of what it's all about, and why we need to take it back from the corrupt while we can. It is our country. It is not theirs to buy and sell.

Thank you, artist Michael Israel.

The Autumn Child

"MY CHILD OF AUTUMN

He was born in the spring. He blossomed with smiles and joy. He was like a small flower at the back of the garden bed, struggling to get its’ share of the light. His illness could have broken his spirit, but it did not. His smiles and his joy overcame it all.

In the summer, he played and grew and experienced it all. The sun burned him at times, but he was soon healed. He believed in each day, needing no reason.

Then came the autumn. He is the child of autumn. The smiles are not as frequent now, as the leaves change and the cool winds begin to blow. Something is changing. The faith he once had turns colors and eventually falls from the tree. We try to stop autumn from coming to him, but it is not ours to stop.

Winter is coming for him soon. It will be cold and bleak. He will feel very alone in the frozen world he has chosen. Have the very roots frozen? Will he survive this winter to bloom for us again in the spring?"

Mother Teresa and Allergies

It's been months since I've posted. I've had lots of ideas running through my mind, but the motivation to put them down just wasn't there. I've felt dried up physically and spiritually. My previous mindset of constantly seeking God's truth was not even there. Some call it depression, anxiety or "dark night of the soul". In my case, it was allergies. Really.

Seriously...we get some pretty big pollen down here in Texas:) Chronic physical problems can definitely sap not only your physical energy but your spiritual energy as well. I prayed it would improve every day. I missed God. I missed the urge to do artwork. I missed just feeling "normal" for one day.

Last week, I was finally given the right medication to nip the allergies in the bud. Overnight, I felt like myself again. I wanted to do something creative again. I wanted to connect with God again. It was such a huge blessing just to have a normal day!

This week, the media is all over the story about Mother Teresa having periods of doubt and disconnect from God. This seems to come as quite a shock to many, and some seem to be reveling in it. I was not shocked at all, and found it almost inspiring....this woman was every bit as human as you and me! She asked God those questions, too! I'm not the only one who sits around and wonders....what if I'm interpreting this wrong? Why can't I "feel" God's presence as much today? Will I always feel like this? How long is this going to last? Why can't I get the joy back?

Whether it's allergies or "dark night of the soul", it happens. We must accept that it is a part of being human, and perhaps Evil's way of trying to divide us from God permanently. We must hang tight and pray and wait for the new day that will come.

For Troubled Times

This past few months have been difficult ones, with some personal illnesses and a tragic loss of one of my son's close friends. Sometimes it is hard to overcome, when a lot happens at once.

This week's tragedy at Virginia Tech added to it As I struggle with accepting the realities of this world (sometimes beautiful realities and sometimes heartbreaking), the classic Simon and Garfunkel song comes to mind:

"When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side. When times get rough
And friends just can't be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down."

Whether intended or not, to me it could be as if Jesus himself was singing this to us. I believe he proved that he was willing to make any sacrifice for us; to "lay himself down". I thank God for a friendship and love that can conquer any evil this ol' world has to dish out.

Love ya-

Demanding Integrity and Respect

If someone was to ask you what the most important qualities would be in a friend, what would you say? My guess is that among those qualitites would be integrity, honesty, loyalty; someone who would be there for you whether you were a millionaire or whether you were completely broke. Someone who would be there with you to "hold your hand" through life's storms. Isn't this the kind of friend we all want?

So what has happened to our people, our nation, our corporations and our world? Are we the kind of people we would want to "hang around" with? Are we the kind of nation other nations look up to? Are our corporations ethical and demanding of integrity? More than ever, I would have to say not even close.

This week's uproar about Don Imus and his radio show bring some of this to light. Do we expect someone with his media power to show some integrity and respect of others? Do we expect it from any of the media in general? No, I don't think we do. We have settled for less and we have accepted much less.

In response to the Imus story, Rosie O'Donnell seems to feel that the "thought police" are coming, and free speech is being infringed upon. Please, Rosie...what can you be thinking? Free speech does not mean that corporations have to pay people to be on the radio or television, spouting off racial slurs, hate speech, conspiracy theories or anything else they care to rant about. Free speech means you can definitely do this in your front yard, but no one is obligated to actually pay you for it!

Few would argue about the lyrics of today's rap music and the way it celebrates crime, degradation of women, racism and more. So why are we accepting it? Why do we not have enough self respect to insist on better? To demand better?

The same applies to our politicians and business environment. I think we have become so used to putting up with the dishonesty and disregard for the will of the people that we feel we have to accept it. No, we do not! It is time for us to demand more, in every area of life. To those whom much is given, much should be expected. Of course, they will make mistakes and be all too human, but we should at the very least expect our leaders to be making every effort to be people of good will and integrity.

I implore everyone to take a stand starting today...people of any race, religion or political party. Do not accept this culture for one day longer. It is time to be the type of friend you want to have. It is time to be the kind of coworker you would like to work next to. It is time to expect and demand the same from those around you. Stand up. Be all you can be and encourage others to do the same...

In peace and love-

Where is the Focus of "The Secret"?

Last week, a few business friends brought "The Secret" to my attention. They were big fans of this New Thought presentation and were excited that it would be discussed on "Oprah" for the second time.

I was a bit familiar with it, but had never seen it. I watched several segments of it on Google Video, but because of its' focus, I chose not to watch the remainder of it.

Don't get me wrong. I am making no judgements about the people involved or their motives. I just have some serious concerns about the approach that was taken with it. In describing the Law of Attraction, a very big emphasis is put on money and "stuff". Although the teachers of "The Secret" were happy to explain further on Oprah that riches were not necessarily monetary, the presentation itself makes that a very big focus. Film footage shows a genie and a lamp, a young woman focusing on getting an expensive piece of jewelry, talk of new cars, vacations, homes, etc.

One of my friends said that she doesn't have any problem with it, because the philosophy fits very well with her Christian beliefs. I have no doubt of that. Where I see a problem is that many viewers are not going to be coming at it from the same place that she is. They may have little Biblical knowledge, or none at all. They may see it as a magic formula to get "stuff".

The presentation emphasizes the importance of being grateful and thankful every day for all that you have. That's great, except they never quite zero in on who that gratefulness is directed to. The "universe"? The "source"? Are we reluctant to name God for fear of not being as marketable?

I feel it is making a big mistake to fail to thank the One True God for your many blessings. To fail to ask for His will is also a real problem.

In looking at it from a Christian point of view, we can take a look at the Lord's Prayer:

"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name"
Yes, HE is to be honored and acknowledged in all things. This is key.

"Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven"
We ask for His Kingdom now, but it must be His will, not ours.

"Give us this day our daily bread"
Our wants and needs will be met. He knows what they are and what is in our best interest.

"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us"
We can live each day in a positive way, knowing that we are forgiven, but we must do the same for others.

"Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil"
We'll be drawn to things or distracted by thoughts that are not in our best interest. That's why we must pray for His will to be done, so these things can be resisted.

"For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever"
We cannot lose sight of where our abundant blessings and love come from or we will not be on the right path. God's best can be ours, if we acknowledge him and have faith in all things.

"Amen"
Indeed!

Love ya-