Still Learning...

timeanddate.com

2012-01-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY -

2011-12-25T12:01:00.001-08:00

2011-12-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

Games People Play

---I’m sure that everyone remembers the hit song called, ‘’Games People Play.’’ It was a song done by many artists from Dolly Parton to Conway Twitty. My own memory goes to Joe South. The reggae group…’’Inner Circle,’’ had a hit with the song, also.
---As the title implies…it is about the games people play. This is as true NOW as it was when the song was written in the 1960’s. People have a very hard time telling the truth. We don’t want to look bad or we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings or whatever reason we use…we hedge on the facts.
---The fact is this…we only get hurt if the fact being kept from us happens to be more than we can handle. The immortal Jack Nicholson line comes into play - ‘’you can’t handle the truth.’’
---I’m NOT saying that we should all start telling the truth and that the truth will make us free. You have all heard that. I’m saying this - when we talk to someone, are we more concerned with saving face or being honest. My experience is that most save face and are not honest.
---In an age where self discovery seems to keep one with the status quo, lying to yourself…about yourself, goes against the grain. Owning up to one’s own so-called flaws, keeps one on the pulse of life. It is okay not to be perfect. Come down from the mountaintops and start living. Our toughness shows up in how well we handle those things that embarrass us. Stop projecting and assuming and begin interacting.
---The question is this…do we play games with others or do we tell the truth?

SAVE FACE or TELL the TRUTH?

2011-12-01T21:23:00.000-08:00

SILENCE WON'T SAVE YOU...

2011-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

OCCUPY LAGUNA HONDA or ANYPLACE AT ALL!

2011-11-16T06:06:00.000-08:00

Occupy Laguna Honda or
ANYPLACE AT ALL!

---We may ask ourselves the question – how does the ‘’Occupy’’ movement affect those of us who already occupy the walls and halls of Laguna Honda? I see it this way.

---The ‘’occupy’’ movement itself seems concerned with ‘’equality’’ for all…and NOT having only the top money makers doing well at the expense of 99% of us. Much more of a ‘’we are ALL in this together’’…while breaking down those things that separate us – money vs. humanity.

---We will concede that the amount of money is controlled by those who built and run the hospital…BUT, they do NOT lay claim to ALL the brainpower that is necessary to relate the 99% to the 1%. We are all in this together - has come home to roost where I and a few others knows it rightfully belongs. It is with ALL of us…NOT just SOME of us.

---I see the sharing of the wealth coming in a way of NOT being caught in worrying over the distribution of monies…but distribution of the decisions being made. My personal gripe would be in the realm of ‘’why is so-and-so deciding such-and-such when the decision or decisions being made affect me much more than they are affecting themselves [except in their pocketbook?]’’

---Finding your own home, within, is where I think our happiness lies, so I can NOT waver on the idea that I think that to ‘’occupy’’ the self is the better movement. But, the Occupy Wall Street movement is certainly a step in the right direction. We still need to TWEAK a lot, but it is getting there. Be Well.

OCCUPY the SELF!

2011-11-16T05:06:00.000-08:00

Occupying the SELF

---A natural offshoot of the Occupy movement seems to eventually be that we learn to occupy the self. Through the occupy movement as it now stands, we see a movement toward the occupiers themselves becoming more aware of their own needs and preferences. Each citizen is discovering who he is…and THAT is very valuable.

---Though there will be some who only scratch the surface of who they really are…and STOP! There will be others who will glimpse what is contained within. They will find the greatness that is in there…and be changed by it all. They will realize that they have stumbled upon their true home and as quick as you know…they will move in.

---They will recognize that all is contained within and it is preferable to stay there. You are able to negotiate a way to bring your home with you wherever you go. You can live your life from an optimal spot and real living has transformed itself as being your life. CONGRATULATIONS!

MERIT VS. SENIORITY

2011-11-14T13:53:00.000-08:00

Merit vs. Seniority

---The question should never rear it’s head in my estimation. But…we have another example of why the occupy movement is in existence. It is like the Peter Principle once stated…there are an awful lot of people doing the wrong thing in life.

---The problem that I see is still this - other than people NOT being paid what they are worth, folks tend to not find or to not do what they enjoy doing. There, again, we find many folks not overly happy with the circumstance that they find themselves.

---A wonderful case scenario is one where we find ourselves being paid a good amount of money for doing things that we like to do. The rarity of that exists, but, most times it does not. There seem many who are doing things they really don‘t care for at all. Hence, they go through the motions of completing the task, but it is usually in a half-hearted manner. Simply put…the situation breeds much unhappiness. Happiness is people being/working at the highest potential. Most times, this falls very short.

---It seems that unions at onetime felt that it was fair that seniority was the highest paid, but in our juxtaposition of many things - that is one of the things that we hope is ‘’tweaked’’ in the process.

---The tweaking necessary that heads toward occupying the self begins by being honest with how you feel about things as they are. Take personal responsibility for your hand in your own mess…and find those things that float your boat and make a difference to you. You will find quality coming into your life and joy being more of a companion than before.

---AGAIN: Learn to occupy yourself and be at home with yourself and share all that growth with those that need it.

''The DOORS ARE INSIDE''

2011-11-10T21:36:00.000-08:00

STRESS REDUCERS

2011-03-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

STRESS REDUCERS -

1. Schedule a realistic day. Avoid the tendency
to schedule back-to-back appointments. Allow
some time for a breather.

2. Become more flexible. Some things are not
worth being perfect and some issues are fine
to compromise upon.

3. Eliminate destructive self-talk. ''I'm too old
to...'' or ''I'm too fat to...''

4. Use your weekend time for a change of pace.
If your work week is slow and patterned, make
sure there is action and time for sponaneity
built into your weekends. If you feel you aren't
accomplishing anything at work, tackle a job
that brings you satisfaction on weekends.

5. Take care of today, the best that you can. The
yesterdays and tomorrows will take care of
themselves.

6. Do one thing at a time. When you are with someone be with that person and no one and nothing else. When you are busy on a project, concentrate on that project and forget about everything else you have to do.

7. Allow yourself time-everyday-for privacy, quiet and introspection.

8. If an especially unpleasant task faces you, do it early in the day and get it over with, than the rest of the day will be free from anxiety.

9. Learn to delegate responsibility to capable others.

10. Don't forget to take a lunch break. Try to get away from your work area in body and mind, even if it is just for 15 or 20 minutes.

11. Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1000 before doing something or saying anything to make matters worse.

12. Have a forgiving view of events and people. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world.

13. Have an optimistic view of the world. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

YOUR EXPRESSION

2011-02-12T16:29:00.000-08:00

CARTOON BREAK!

2010-11-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

To ENCOURAGE or DISCOURAGE?

2010-08-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...MARK TWAIN

2010-07-31T16:49:00.001-07:00

FELIX UNGER IN COURT - The ASS-U-ME SCENE

2009-06-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

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---DON'T ASSUME! Watch ALL the way through. Short and well worth it. I saw this when it originally aired in the 1970's. I have spoken about it, but until June 19, 2009, I never saw it.

---Assuming puts a huge STOP!...on the learning process.

NAKED=HONEST - Video

2008-08-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

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This is a wonderful video. This is WHAT I'm SAYING, more or less. Do yourself a favor and pay attention to the message and really hear this video. The video has a very good message, I think. I would say that the message, is a poignant puzzle piece, to the true seeker.

YOU ONLY DISCOVER WHO YOU ARE, THROUGH LEARNING THE TRUTH. WE REALLY LEARN + KNOW THE TRUTH, FROM OUR MISTAKES. THROUGH THE PROCESS of ''TRIAL'' and ''ERROR.'' WHEN WE KNOW THE TRUTH, IT WILL SET US FREE. WE WILL BE MORE FLEXIBLE...and LESS JUDGMENTAL. UNTIL THEN, WE FIND WE RELY on SOME KIND of BLIND FAITH...HOPING, WHAT WE THINK IT ALL IS, IS TRUE.

http://www.thelovemovie.com/

---To tie it ALL together - We see that the more HONEST we are, the more we accept ourself. The more we accept ourself, the less self-concerned we are. This frees us to be more loving and more able to listen. WE ARE BETTER AT BEING LOVING. We can smell the roses, if we want to.

See ''ACCEPTANCEVILLE'' and why self-acceptance is important to me.

http://considerthiswell.blogspot.com/

NAKEDness - A New Wrinkle

2006-03-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
''COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIP and
the ''OFFSPRING''

---This is one of the Realizations, or Insights, that almost made me join the Priesthood, in the 1970's, back in Boston. I had a girlfriend at the time, which probably prompted me to actually think along these lines. I was about 25 years old, and used to think a lot. I spent three years as a ''serious'' candidate with the Jesuits, but never did join. The ''Calling'' is NOT what I wish to speak of at this time.
---We all know how sex works. When you boil it all down, two ''Combine'' to ''Create'' a third. There are NO frills and NO thrills to this approach. This is the Classic way in which we have populated the Planet up to now, and passes NO judgement on ANYONE. Two ''get'' together and this third, that they produce, is their offspring, or ''baby.'' It is also their Relationship.

---Communication Is The ''CORNERSTONE,'' Of Relationship---

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---Did you know that this happens all the time- two beget a third? Whenever someone Communicates with someone else, together they produce a Relationship. If you Communicate with the Butcher, the Baker, or Candlestickmaker, two who Communicate produce a ''Third'', their Relationship. It doesn't matter what the ''Other'' happens to be. It can be a dog or a cat. ANYTHING. This is the situation I wish to point out, Two ''Create'' a ''Third.''
---It doesn't matter what gender one is, what species, what you look like, who you are, or if you are any good at it or not. Two that 'get' together and have a Communication, and they ALWAYS do [anything that affects you, or you affect, is a Communication], Creates a ''Third''. This Third is their ''Offspring'' or ''Child'', and this ''Child'' is their ''Relationship''. As this ''Communication'' is nurtured and grows, as a ''Child'' does, we see the ''Relationship'' do the same. It matures.

---Communicate, Honestly---

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---We can see that ''Communication'' is at the Heart-of-the Matter. The more ''Honest'' our Communication, the better the Relationship and the more ''NAKED'' we are. We get closer and closer to that which we Honestly Communicate where eventually a ''Oneness'' or UNITY takes place. This is what LOVE is all about. It brings people together. We also see that this is what the ''Sexual-Union'' is all about, acheiving this ''Oneness,'' or Unity. That is why having SEX is called making LOVE.
---You can't have a Relationship without Communication. Sex tends toward Love the more ''Honest'' the Communication. So, if we Communicate ''Honestly,'' our Relationships are more Loving, and we are more in Union with that which we more Honestly Communicate. We actually Love who ''we are'' when we are with the ''Object'' of our Love. We are ''Allowed'' to be Honest or ''Naked.'' We feel Accepted.

---We Learn To Be OURSELF, Through Acceptance---

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---This is all well and good, but where does one begin? It starts by being Truthful and, of course, with one's own self, which may take some practice. Being Honest with ourself, sometimes, is not the easiest thing we do. Stumbling blocks can be our own false sense of self and the ''idea'' of winning and losing, where we somehow think we are ''better'' or ''worse'' than someone else. Also, we do not want to hit someone ''off-side-the-head'' with our ''Honesty'' either, so tact and diplomacy fits in there somewhere.

---The THIRD Is Always Present---

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---I know that this can sound like a ''jumble'' of words, so I will say it again. Two Communicate or Combine and form a Third, [their Offspring or their ''Child'']. This is their Relationship, their ''Child.'' Two beget a Third. The more Honest and Real this Communication, the more it resembles, or is, Love. The Relationship becomes more of a Union. Sex and Love becomes the same thing. It is based on Honesty and Realness. We see that Two, who Communicate, form a Third that tends toward a ''Oneness'', the more that Love is involved. Be Well.

''If Two Are Gathered, In My Name [LOVE]-I Am There.''

RUSS BERMAN, ''GETS'' IT...

2006-03-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

---My friend, Russ Berman, captured the spirit of what it really means to be that HONEST. Many have been hurt and wounded, but LOVE is forever knocking. Stay Open.

http://www.russberman.com/secondary/music/get.mp3

The ''INNER'' and ''OUTER''

2006-03-26T11:17:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
CIRCUMSTANCES, ATTITUDES, and CHANGES

---At present, we may see we have different approaches to events and circumstances that make up our life. Some change with every gust of wind, while others ''armor'' themselves at the very ''thought'' of change. And, of course, there are those ''in-the-middle'' who don't get flustered very much at all about change. These are the ones who seem the happiest.
---Those who take things as a matter of course, can ''roll-with-the-punches,'' are very pleasant to be around. You feel you don't have to worry about everything you say, for fear of saying the ''wrong'' thing and throwing them into their defensive mode. You can be more Spontaneous and more Creative. This seems more of a ''healthy'' situation.
---What this comes down to is a balance of the ''outer'' and the ''inner.'' The outer is our Circumstance while the inner is our Attitude towards it. Many of us let our circumstances govern how we feel. That is because, for the most part, we don't know any difference. We ''compete'' with each other instead of working together. We get so caught up in ''winning'' that we sometimes miss the learning and companionship aspect of the whole thing. Of course, then, if we lose, we are devastated. It is like ''throwing out the baby with the bathwater.''

---Don't Let Circumstances, Govern How We ''FEEL''---

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---We, then, let our circumstances dictate how we feel. When we let our circumstances govern how we feel, it is so easy to slip into the ''if onlys.'' If only this were different. If only that were different. It is something we do because we are trying to bring the situation into balance. We are now ''projecting'' and then it becomes an easy step to ''blame'' others for ''our'' circumstances. This is so easy to do.
---To balance the ''inner'' and ''outer,'' we must go Within and get to know ourselves, at the very least, ''better.'' We are not told this. We work on the circumstances and get more and more frustrated and frenzied. We don't know ''if we are coming or going.''
---Working on ourselves is the only way. Know ''thyself.'' Otherwise, we end up wanting to change everyone and everything to suit our ''feelings.'' It starts by being Truthful with ourselves and to ''fess-up'' to our true feelings. We get to ''know'' ourselves and begin the journey of Self-Knowledge. The ''inner'' is changing, thus our attitude, while the ''outer'' follows along. Eventually, over time [and it may take Some Time], the outer and inner come into balance. Our Circumstances match our Attitudes towards them. We feel ''good'' about our situation and things in general.
---Our circumstances can certainly effect how we feel, but if we have a ''good'' attitude we can weather most any storm. Sometimes it is very difficult to change our circumstances, but by being honest with ourselves and working on our inner self, our attitudes, we soon see that we may have been thinking in a way that ''sabotages'' our own enjoyment. Of the two, circumstances or attitudes, one certainly can more easily take charge of an attitude. If we let our circumstances ''rule'' how we feel, we will someday soon see ourselves in ''hot-water.'' It is easier to change ourselves than to change the ''whole'' world.

---If Things Don't Suit Us, It is Easier To CHANGE Ourselves, Than The ''Whole'' World..

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---I think it very important to look at the Attitudes we bring ''to the table.''
---If we have an easy manner, quality friendships, and don't rain on others parades all the time, we must be doing something right. We find that it is our attitude toward the circumstances we find ourselves in, that allows us to effectively make the necessary changes to those circumstances. We find that we can adjust our circumstances to make them more pleasant and suitable.
---If we have an unpleasant outlook at the outset, there is a very good chance that changes and the ''whole'' process will be much the same, unpleasant. Watch your attitudes toward different people and things for awhile and see where you stand. See how flexible you are in situations. If you are Angry at those who disagree with you-Check Your Attitude. If you don't particularly like your circumstances. Check Your Attitude. Remember that it may be very difficult to sometimes affectively change the circumstances we find ourselves in, but with some ''inner'' work, We Can Change our Attitude, and How Adaptive We Are to the Changes. Love, Flexibility and Acceptance are the Keys. Be Well.

CARTOON BREAK -

2006-03-26T11:16:00.000-08:00

Cartoon - POIGNANT (Below)

''POLLY'' Goes to Psychiatrist - Thinks ''CRACKERS''

2006-03-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
KNOWING WHEN TO SAY ''NO''

---I think, in terms of human development, that the period of ''The Terrible-Twos,'' [that time of our lives, about two years old, when we assert our curiosity, explore life on our own, and learn to say NO] should be looked into. I think the ability to say NO is very essential. Those who cannot say NO effectively, carry everyones extra baggage as their own, really never know themselves, can't make decisions, and never have an original thought in their head. Their lives revolve around docile compliance, people pleasing, and agreeing with everyone all or most of the time, so as ''not to make waves.'' The internal boredom, apathy, and/or time bombs cause them to involve themselves in almost anything that makes them feel alive.

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---I see as a real problem, the confusion we have between that which we really need and that which we ''think'' we need.

---JOKE---

--- It is like the joke where Polly the Parrot goes to a psychiatrist not knowing if he really wants a cracker or just thinks he does because that is what everyone asks him. Poor Polly is experiencing confusion. Polly would be better, it seems, if he stopped listening to everyones expectations of him and got back to basics, addressing himself and his own relationship with crackers. He should be listening to himself.

---Bored---
---To the bored I say this- you are probably wading through the swamp of what others tell you you should be doing and never have been given the opportunity to know yourself and to make choices along the lines of what you yourself like to do.

---People Pleaser---
---To the people pleaser- being the person you were born to be is far more pleasing to yourself and to others than being the on-call ''yes man'' for the rest of us.

---Time Bomb---
---To the time bomb- stop repressing your own feelings for the sake of others. Becoming yourself is the knowing of how to make good, wholesome-type choices that have a positive impact on yourself and others. Choices that work toward ''Wholeness.'' You will know what choices are uniquely your own and their affect will be very ''Helpful.'' Allow Yourself To Be Yourself. . Be Well.

FIND YOUR ''OWN'' PACE

2006-03-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
''FIND YOUR OWN PACE''

---''It is hard to drive 10 mph.'' This is a statement made by the leader of the Safety Team. It is very true-in a car. It is very difficult to DRIVE at 10 mph. It is very difficult in a car, but, if we are in another vehicle, it is different.
---Normal walking, for humans, is about 4.5 to 5.0 mph. It is easy to judge the car if you're a walker at this speed, but driving in a car, you feel as if you were barely moving. Even the walker would wonder why the car is going so slow?
---I am in a wheelchair, and it looks slow to me, also. Even in a Motorized Wheelchair. We know, though, If the car ever hit the wheelchair, he would easily knock it over, even at 10 mph. At any speed, taking the ''bulk'' of the car into consideration, it would be hard not to be injured. If you consider the frailty of the ''usual'' wheelchair person, one has the potential for a real-bad situation. This is all pretty obvious. Now, let's look at the Human Behavior side of thing.
---Have you ever been taught something by someone who knows his subject backwards and forward and has NO patience with YOUR not knowing? Here, again, we have two different rates of speed. These people can easily talk so fast and over your head, and they may not be aware of it. They may as well be speaking in a foreign language.
---To have this work on both sides, a happy medium must be reached-for the sake of ''happiness,'' alone. We must be mindful of our audience. The Slower Movers must make way for the Faster and Vice-Versa. There is a place for everyone. Remember the Rules of Relationship- The way YOU see it, The way HE/SHE or THEY sees it, and What the ''two'' of you AGREE upon. [To find Someone or Something we actually AGREE with, much or most of the time, can be very difficult.] Be patient and make room for others.
---If you are comfortable and the pace is ''good,'' you may be going at a speed that is ''right'' for you. Remember, there is No right or wrong pace, it is only right or wrong for you. If things are not comfortable, than, admit it, at least to yourself. Confucius says that knowing this is the ''beginning'' of intelligence. When things unfold at a pace we deal, most of the time, Life can be quite enjoyable, for EVERYONE. It seems that, the ''trick'' is to find your ''own'' pace, and work from there. Be Well.

OVERCOME FEAR with INTELLIGENCE

2006-03-26T10:42:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
''I Said,With INTELLIGENCE''

---Is the New Millenium going to be truly new or just more of the same old same old? Are we laboring under the idea and premise that nothing ever changes and the way I am is the way I am and nothing can be done about it? If you are, then you have simply gotten yourself stuck, and ''rutted'' within and need to learn to ''unstick'' yourself to enjoy the constant newness that Living, Loving and Learning present to us all the time. We have to open up a bit. Remember that it is NOT the STRONGEST, nor most INTELLIGENT, that does better. It is those who most easily ADAPT to change.
---The Art of Letting Go is a very important thing to learn, to get back to the natural flow of Life and Living. So many of us have had such devastating bouts with feeling out-of-control, that we become afraid and anxious at the very thought of letting go and of Life re-establishing Itself for us. But Fear of Life will only keep us paralyzed and limit our quality of Living.
--As children, we were taught to fear the traffic in the streets and we were harshly punished if we ventured into the roadway, in order to protect us. But as we grew older, FEAR was REPLACED by UNDERSTANDING and INTELLIGENCE, and common sense tells us that walking in front of a moving bus is not a good idea. We have learned that we don't have to fear the traffic in order to safely deal with it. Truthfully, all fears work the same way. When we understand the truth of the matter, we will be free to approach things both different and new, free from fear, and use our intelligence and common sense to adjust and to make good choices.

---It Really is OKAY to Lighten-up and Laugh, Even at Yourself, Sometimes---

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---It really is okay to lighten up the intensity that some of us seem to carry
around. It is okay to laugh and to sometimes laugh at yourself. It is okay to ask for help, to change attitudes and behavior that simply no longer work, and to admit that sometimes we have used the wrong approach
---My resolution for the New Millenium is this- To reduce the fears that I still carry within me by viewing them with honesty and intelligence, to see more clearly
the pathways and options Life holds for me. To increase my Living, Loving and Learning powers to find and utilize my own unique pace, and experience all the joy, love and peace that Life has to offer. We all truly have Love for and do Love one another, we're all just working out the details. Keep It SIMPLE.
[Originally written as year 2000 turned]

SELF - ''Expression''

2006-03-26T10:30:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
CREATIVE

SELF-EXPRESSION

''IMPORTANT''

---It is important to get your ''music'' from the inside, to come out. It is to be shared. As a matter of fact, it really isn't ''music'' until it is shared. Our music comes out the most when we are being ourselves.
---We ALL have ''IT'' all, within ourselves. Some of us travel many miles to end up in the Heart. It can be a short trip or a long journey. It depends on where one is at when he starts. Expressing what is to be expressed, seems the key. Whatever opens the door.
---To be at this point, of self-expression, one must begin by making the ''Supreme'' sacrifice and ''Express Yourself.'' All one has to do is to start telling himself the Truth. It begins with yourself. If you start telling yourself how you ''feel,''
you have taken the first step. It ALL begins there. Eventually, you acquire the ''habit'' of telling the Truth, and the process gets easier and easier. If this is all new to you, remember that it is a process, so it may take some time.
---What is in there is the ''good'' stuff. You may start with the junk at first, but as they say, ''We have to go through Hell, before we get to Heaven.'' If you have never told yourself the truth, than it is more difficult. Be Fearless. Start with facing up to how you really ''feel'' about things, because this is telling the truth to yourself. I ''guarantee'' that you will be unravelling the mysteries of the Self, Yourself, and the Universe, eventually, no matter how ''stupid'' or ''trivial'' it may sound at first. You open the ''Doors of Perception.'' You will eventually ''Find Your Own Voice.'' You will understand, maybe for the first time, and no longer see, ''through the glass, darkly.'' Things will begin to make sense. Be Well.

http://www.mediafire.com/?7nswldm3dzs

''BEST'' Medicine -- TRUTH

2006-03-26T10:26:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
HONESTY To Yourself---
''EVIDENTLY, Not As EASY As It Looks.''

---We find that telling Ourselves what is True, is truly the Best Medicine. We have all been told that it is Laughter. Let's look at this.
---Have you ever looked at what really makes us laugh? It is usually someone telling the truth about something, even in a silly way. If you take it All very seriously, then you probably don't laugh a lot. I think it has much to do with flexibility. How flexible are we? Life accepts us as we are, but we judge ourselves and others very hard. As Erma Bombeck used to say,''If You Can LAUGH At It, You Can LIVE With It.''
---If we are flexible enough to laugh on occasion, we create a space in which we can grow. Laughing at others is not what I'm talking about. Peoples behavior can be very funny, but laughing AT someone can be very cruel. If someone sees something as serious, laughter than can seem, at best, inappropriate. Have you ever noticed how funny things can seem, even about ourselves, when enough time has gone by and the circumstances have changed. And ALL THINGS CHANGE.
---Things that brought us to tears at onetime, may not affect us the same now. We ALL grow and change. If we are flexible enough to ''roll with the punches,'' I think we do better. Flexibility and Laughter create space and everything doesn't seem so crunching. It gives us Perspective. If the other person is not laughing or smiling at his own behavior, then it is probably a safe bet that maybe, as a cue, we shouldn't either. Things may seem funny, but when it hits us personally, it may take awhile. It is all very Relative to the Flexibility involved.

---Telling Ourself TRUTH. Good Start---

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---Telling the Truth to Ourselves is a very good start. After all, this will make us flexible and not to take everything so seriously. We seem to judge the level of ''FUNNY'' on who it happens. We are ''All Alright,'' but we have to Realize this. When we do, we laugh more and everything is not as crunching. We are more flexible and see ourselves as less ''tragic.'' We are more Objective. In this way, we see that, ''The Truth CAN Make Us Free.''' Be Well.

''UNLEARNING'' - Self-Image, Again

2006-03-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
UNLEARNING THE NEED TO BE RIGHT

---The idea of unlearning something is a radical type of concept, especially growing up in our society where so much emphasis is placed upon knowing things. Some of us cannot even entertain the notion of unlearning. But there is a great value in knowing when to let go of something when it is time.
---Unlearning at the right time is when something has changed from serving a purpose to doing a disservice. What was once a ''blessing'' is no longer a ''blessing.'' Unlearning something that has become ''old'' gives space to learn something ''new.'' It is more of a transformation where we ''upgrade.'' We can eliminate the unnecessary ''learnings'' that have become deadwood. I'm sure we have ALL kicked a ''dead-horse'' or two, but the real trick is to know when enough is enough. This is how we ''grow.'' We see what is true, and not so true, any longer.
---The problem comes in when being right or correct becomes a ''need.'' We have made it real important. That is when we start making others wrong, so we will be right. Instead of supporting one another, we point out the ''faults'' of this one or that one. To look ''right'', we make others look ''wrong.'' The old self-image, again.
---Do a personal inventory and find out what motivations are really in there. It is like cleaning an attic or even a house. The need to be right, at someones expense, seems to be one of the Big Ones we could ALL use a little less of. Remember, in getting rid of this excess baggage, we are making room for the next idea or insight to take its place [until that becomes excess baggage and we give that up, too, etc.]. This is how we learn and unlearn, as it really can be a chicken-and-egg situation. We get ''better'' in a psychological sense. It is the ''art'' of letting go. Not Holding On To UNNECESSARIES is something ''meditaters'' learn early on, and is a good practice for ALL of us.
---It is much more fun to be happy with someone than to be right at their expense. I am not speaking of someone who is being foolish and out of control. Responding may be a judgment call on your part. But, remember, we ALL do our share of messing things up at times. Be HONEST, FLEXIBLE AND FORGIVING. You may discover something very valuable about yourself in the process. Be Well.

(Another Way of Saving Face)

BLAME -- Does NOT Work

2006-03-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
BLAME Does NOT Work.

---Why can't we blame anyone for where we are at? What if we are a ''Victim of Circumstance'' and through no fault of our own, we are in a down and out situation? Or even not as dramatic as all that, somebody has done something to us. Remember, it is ANGER that causes us to BLAME. And we experience anger when we feel someone or something is responsible for our ''needs'' and ''desires'' not being met.
---Well, though, it is important to acknowledge how one feels and where one is at, one must take Personal Responsibility for his own actions and where he is at. In some cases, this is much more easy to say than do. Some of us have been through some very ''trying'' times. Nonetheless, this is how life works. When we are stuck at a point due to a trauma, etc., we are like a Record [If you don't know what a Record is, ask someone old] that is stuck playing the same passage over and over and over again. In our rehabilitation, we hope we will once again see this and get over this hurdle.
---It is important to get over these things. It is like when we push the record forward. We must take steps to continue living beyond this point. To repair the ''damage,'' we can, acknowledge the Anger, FORGIVE ALL INVOLVED, and move on. Being chronically the ''victim'' is like having our own dog bite us. It happens, but is unusual, unless WE are treating him wrong. Check what you're doing.
---You, yourself, don't have to react angrily. It is not always an easy thing to do, but holding on to anger interferes with '''our'' natural flow. A grudge, revenge, getting even or anything of the like, is the same thing. If it helps, remember that the perpetrator has his own day of reckoning and gets his ''Just Desserts.'' He will face whatever is needed for him to continue on, as he is important, too. What goes around does come around. It does no good to REPEAT the negativity of others.
---There are many ''stuck'' individuals on our Planet, and blame plays a large part in putting and keeping us there. It is really nobody else's fault for us being where we are at. No matter how much we want it to be. We are All Stuck until we are Free. We can only 'fake' it for so long. It really doesn't matter whose ''fault'' it is, this, whatever it is, is the situation. Unravelling who we are is much more fun and rewarding than being concerned with how right we are, even if we feel we happen to be.
---Stuckness is a Suffering and is something we deal with until we learn how to let it go. It is nobody's ''job'' to Love us, but it is ''OUR'' job to Love everybody. This saying is True. To have a friend, be a friend. Remember, everyone and everything has value. Maybe we should examine things a little more kindly and closely. We must learn not to get ''so'' angry or transform the anger we do have into something more positive, and forgive, so we can move on.
---There is a law in Physics that states: If something in flux is left alone it will reorganize to its Original state. The more we have our anger dealt with, see where it comes from and see it as it is, we don't blame and we unstick. We are back to basics, as it were. We are more in our '''Original'' state when we LOVE and FORGIVE.
---When we blame, we are stuck. Unstick, Forgive, be Truthful with yourself, and ''move on.'' Acknowledge how you feel about the situation that sticks you, and do yourself a favor. Realize, that if there is blame involved it will stick you. even when it is you, yourself, you blame. Best we can do is-LEARN from it and CONTINUE. You Have LIFE'S PERMISSION. Be Well.

A Song Called ''BIRDS''

http://www.mediafire.com/?b0drg9nhzm3

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

2006-03-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

VIDEOS - MediaFire

2006-01-02T17:48:00.000-08:00