Friday, December 2, 2011

GB2 (Subject: The Bucket List) The Bucket List

Because the actions of humans cannot be fully synchronized with what is embedded in their hearts, time will reveal the desires wished to be done.

I confess. When I hear "Bucket List" my mind replays one of my favorite films "The Bucket List".
I confess. I have watched this movie 5 times and there will be a sixth.
I confess. I have been moved to tears with each viewing and have learned something new about myself each time.

Briefly, Jack Nicholson a mega millionaire and Morgan Freeman an auto mechanic are joined by a similar fate, terminal cancer. They share a hospital room and fill it with a dialogue that has them construct their bucket list. Jack sees this as one last "hurrah" through the final corridor of life, and Morgan sees this as his final opportunity to experience the things he only dreamed of.
Together they touch taste and experience the many wonders of this world and gain a deeper understanding of who they have been and what they have become.

In the final sequence of Morgan Freeman we see him at his dinner table, surrounded by family. They are talking, laughing and passing around plates of food. The audience doen't share in the dialogue, but it can see in the facial expression of Morgan, the love, the joy and the warmth he has created. He traveled the world to see the greatest sights known to man, tasted the finest food, but neither compared to what he created at that dinner table.

I always wondered why I cannot make a "bucket list". Not that I don't wish to see the world or consume  4 Pints of my favorite flavors of Ben & Jerrys in one sitting, but somehow, I am not moved enough to actually put them on a list.

In a world with so many limits on what we can do, I have learned to live a "limitless" life. My heart centers around Love, Kindness & Hope. Whether I am hard at work, watching TV, taking out the garbage, commuting in traffic or at the dinner table, through being grateful, one of those elements is always in play.

 Action synchronized with the heart.

I imagine I will not see the places I have dreamed of
I will not have the fame nor fortune I hoped to have experienced
I will not have been accompanied with fine luxuries
What I have not done will be outweighed by what I have experienced and created
which is this dance....to have danced with Love, Kindness & Hope........

and now...for some Ben & Jerrys!    Passing around the spoons ...Marc :)

Friday, November 25, 2011

GB2 (Subject : Laughter) "Happiness & Laughter" a Parable

 Many (30) years ago I wrote this and inserted it an anniversary card for my parents. Recently my elderly Mom was cleaning out her drawers and came across this well intended anniversary message. I was only too happy, knowing it could make her laugh once again.

                                HAPPINESS & LAUGHTER

   Once upon a time Happiness and Laughter crossed each others paths. Laughter exclaimed "Oh, so we meet again! Is it really a coincidence that we meet so often? I am beginning to believe that we are actually one in the same! I cannot recall a time when I was present and you were not near."
    Happiness smiled and replied "while it is true that we are often found together,and your presence brings the very best out of me,  one can have Happiness without Laughter. Just the gathering of loved ones, recalling fond memories, sharing special moments and achievements can evoke great levels of Happiness and not need one laugh. So my good friend, one does not have to laugh in order to find Happiness.
    Laughter looked down, the air taken from it, a frown covered its face. Happiness reached out for Laughters hand and said "come, lets go for a walk toghter and see who we may find and be with them for awhile." ...and off they ran hand in hand leaving only the sound of laughter in their path.

    And that is the way it has been ever since. There are times when Happiness and Laughter are experienced hand in hand, and the sound of laughter paves the way for Happiness to be, and then there are times when just Happiness appears,savoring the subtle warmth of life that doesn't require laughter.

By the way....Have a Happy Anniversary (may it be accompanied with the sound of Laughter)

Marc :)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

GB-2 (Subject: Surprise) " Venus Law of Gravity"

I have always considered myself very attentive to both the emotional and physical needs of the opposite sex. With a mix of taught and intuitive knowledge I have managed to keep the distance between Mars and Venus , comfortable.  Yet, nothing prepared me for this:

     I was online at the supermarket  with a bag of frozen peas, 2 containers of yogurt, a French bread and cantelope. While waiting on this "express line" I happen to glance at the magazine rack. Catching the cover of the current  Marie Claire, my eyes widen,my jaw drops, and my grip on the frozen peas,loosens! I bend down to quickly retrieve them and get another chance to read the cover again. Yes, I read it correctly...."NEW REPORT ON SEX....TWO MORE G-SPOTS REVEALED!".........."how can that be?" I whisper to myself, I thought I had it all figured out!  Blood began rushing to my brain, only to be intercepted by words in my ear..."Hi Marc", I turn....it's my neighbor Gina, that 30 something hottie, that parades around in short shorts and a halter top! (I was grinning and blushing) "Oh!" she continues....."seems like I have caught you with your mind ...wandering.....huh?"

I threw my eyes in the direction of the magazine....."Gina.....read the cover of Marie Claire.....and tell me......it isn't so"......She looked and in an instant caught the headline.....she lifts the magazine up and says...."well, this seems interesting...lets have a look here"....she thumbs through the pages.....the cashier calls my attention..."NEXT IN LINE PLEASE"........I am studying the expressions on Ginas face...for any evidence of truth, her eyes fixed upon the page."Well, it appears there are 3 separate places"...a loud voice interrupts her,   "THAT WILL BE 5 DOLLARS AND 49 CENTS PLEASE" prompts the cashier. I yank my wallet out of my back pocket and hand her several bills.....I turn and stare at Gina as if she is the all knowing supreme being on this topic....."Gee, according to  this article, I can see where I have a few places"...."SIR" called the cashier...."YOUR CHANGE...and HAVE A NICE DAY"

"Nice Day?" I mutter between my breath," just when you think you have them figured out........"

The more advanced the level of intuitive thinking, the more profound is the element of Surprise!

I confess, I never did find those other G-Spots (not for the lack of trying) but as my partner always says "Honey, batting 1 out of 3 isn't bad!"

Marc :) :) :)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

GB-2 (Subject- Nature vs. Nuture) "The Shopping List"

The Shopping List



   It was the end of a long day and all I needed before going to bed was a glass of milk. I opened the refrigerator and reached in for the milk conatiner which had just enough to lighten a cup of coffee. This reminded me to check the can of coffee, which had enough grinds to make a "two sips" worth! I began taking attendance, Juice also low, bread, two slices of which one was the end slice. I glanced at the clock, 10:30 PM, just enough time to make it to the supermarket!
I pulled in the parking lot, opened the car door and barely had the energy to get out of the car. "I should be crawling into bed" I muttered to myself. I pulled a shopping cart from the rack, and slowly made my way down the aisle. As I placed the carton of milk into the wagon I noticed a neatly folded piece of paper resting at the bottom. I lfted it up and unfolded it to its original 8 1/2"X 11" size. It was a shopping a list and the handwriting with its soft curves was undeniably, feminine. The list read, ....ground beef, bread crumbs, ketchup, milk, cookies, ice cream. Then in another column, away from this list, on the lower right hand side of the page was another short list,....Tampons, panty liners,douche, pamprin. In an instant, I could feel a tingling run down my spine. My mouth dropped and my eyes widened, and I stared at this list as if I had uncovered a map leading to a buried treasure. I whispered to myself, "I can't believe it, the answer was in front of me all the time,and I never noticed!"

Woman....Nourisher, sustainter, healer. Since the dawn of time she has placed  the needs of others ahead of her own.
 Of the two genders, she is more empathetic,has more sensitivity and cries more tears. 
  How was our Creator to know that he could trust one of genders to have such a power? In order to feel someone elses pain,one must feel it for themselves first. In order to comfort another before you even think of comforting yourself, one must feel its own discomfort first. In order to willingly give life to others, one must feel the preciousness of life from within. So, our Creator, with his subtle ways, created a time clock of discomfort and pain,which would serve as a reminder that one of the species would always be attentive, caring, loving to others. To provoke a person in such a way they would INSTINCTIVELY always place the needs of others ahead of her own....and so, Woman was created!
I folded the list and placed it back in the wagon. I had come for a carton of milk , juice and coffee and came away with a new persepective, another piece of the puzzle of the nature of humankind.

"She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know why it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere

She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know what it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere

She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her
And ev'rywhere she goes a million
Dreams of love surround her ev'rewhere ....Billy Joel

Peace & Blessings....Marc :)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

GB-2 (Popularity) "The Ugly Duckling-Revisited"

"The Ugly Duckling -Revisited"
The seventh grade coincides with an awakening to puberty that makes for a very powerful transformation for any adolescent! Physical changes throughout our body provoke    perceptual changes.

 Schoolyard conversations were migrating from who was the best ballplayer of the day to who was the prettiest girl in the school. In our school, there was no debate who the ugliest girl was. There was no one even comparable to poor “Miss M”. I even believe that “Miss M” knew that she could win that title. It was sad, and I often wondered why and how God could place a person in such a lowly position.
“Miss M” had a very light complexion that was sprinkled with thousands of red and pink freckles. We marveled at the quantity and the different shapes that had camped out on her face! Her hair was a short growth of frizz, and was a fiery orange…which of course brought out the freckle syndrome. She was topped off with a very large nose …which brings us to the opening act of this recollection.
During lunch break we would eat lunch in the schoolyard and the guys would go off and flip baseball cards, play a quick game of “flip the penny” or try to elevate their stature with intelligent conversation. Intelligence at the seventh grade level is measured by how gross a statement or insult you can make! I recall a few of those conversations regarding “Miss M”. “I swear I saw her pull a booger out of her nose that was as big as my thumb!” said one of the guys. "Yeah,, I heard that she sneezd last week and a cat came out!"   I confess, there were times I chuckled at the insane remarks, but deep in my heart, I always felt sympathetic towards the day to day plight she lived.
I am not certain of the event, but I do remember returning to class after lunch and happened to look over to “Miss M” who sat a row away from me and few seats back. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was clasping a tissue. She had been crying and was trying to hold back her tears. “Oh no” I said to myself, she must have heard the remarks that the guys were making about her. It’s funny how insults always traveled faster than the answers to Miss Goldberg’s math quiz.
The next day I told the guys that “Miss M” spent the afternoon crying, and asked if any of the insults were spread about. The guys seized the moment to turn on me, “oh so you like “Miss M”? They laughed. I defended my statement, “it’s not right, she knows she’s far from pretty, we shouldn’t get our laughs by rubbing it in her face!” I exclaimed. I startled myself; it was the first time I was sticking up for someone other than myself!
In a world where everything is “just and fair” these boys would have woke up the day with foot long noses and potatoes growing from their ears, but no, I arrived at school the next morning to find a huge, chalk drawn, heart shape with both my name and hers in it! The guys laughed, “She’s all yours”.
The chalk drawn heart had a very short life span. As we exited the school that afternoon, we were surrounded by Dominic and his gang. Dominic was the “Soprano” of the school.
The gang cornered my friends, Dominic got very close in their faces. “If you knuckle heads ever draw anything on a wall where my name is on it, I’ll bounce your heads on the ground like a Spaulding ball! His entourage removed erasers from their back pockets and threw them at us. “Get this off the wall NOW” he demanded! My friends raised their bowed heads to notice that the heart with my name and “Miss M” was on the same wall as “Dominic & Anita 4 eva”. Dominic turned and looked at me, “and you….you get some taste”. Little did he know, I had a slight crush on Anita and she always had a smile for me.
The years passed. We all moved up, grade by grade. Fortunately, that period of insults was replaced by greater conversations, “which girls were the bad ones”, and “who I’d like to spend the night with”. Nobody even cared who the best ballplayer of the day was!
Enter “The Summer Of Love, 1967” . Like a wave, it covered and transformed each and every one of us. Our hair expanded on top of our heads like yeast filled bread. Our dungarees were bell bottomed, our shirts tie-died, our language transformed with words of “groovy, peace brother, and dig it.” We all returned to school and could barely recognize each other (except me, who still dressed as if he were an ivy leaguer). However, the biggest transformation was “Miss M”. Her bright orange hair, now fully grown into a very hip perm. Her heart shaped, oversized sun glasses fit nicely on her nose,(they dwarfed it!) and the freckles were now a unique accoutrement to the large plastic “peace sign” earrings that dangled from her ears. She walked down the halls with confidence; she was now flaunting her uniqueness! She was on all accounts, “groovy”!
During that time we rarely spoke, but always acknowledged each other with a smile. I would get a chuckle when I would hear a guy mention her name with a desire of getting to know “the cute chick with the wild orange hair”.
I have often wondered about her transformation. Was this an answer to a mother’s prayer? Was Miss M’s” transformation a result of a friend taking her out for a makeover? Or, was this part of Gods plan, The Summer of Love, ushering us through a portal where we came out more loving, more compassionate and wearing flowers in our hair?
A girl, plagued at a tender age, having to carry an unbearable weight. Then being transformed so dramatically where her appearance and personality could take someone’s breath away! Imagine, one tiny insignificant person merging onto the highway of self confidence and self esteem…..flaming orange hair and all!
….To those that may be discontent with their appearance, feel like they are in a ugly relationship, or if they feel like they are facing life in the wrong direction, just remember, there is a highway up ahead ….merge on!
Hope always has a free ride!

Soulful Journies!  Marc :)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

GB-2 (subject: Ownership) To Make You Feel My Love

It was at this time of year, many years ago, my mother came home with bundles of cardboard and announced she had decided what I was going to be for Halloween. I was intrigued by her annoucement and like any 9 year old, I stood in her shadows as she cut, measured, painted and glued sheets of cardboard together with stips of fabric.

This process took quite some time and I was impressed at her attention to detail. "There!" she exclaimed , now lets try this costume on. I stared and studied her handiworkand then broke out in a smile "wow, The Planters Peanut Man!"  All the detail was there, monacle, top hat and cane! With the exception of wearing my sisters tights, I was thrilled!

Halloween Night arrived and off I went with the neighboorhood troup of 30.  There we were, Lords of the night, knocking on strangers doors, compelling them to surrender their treats into our our  buckets! It didn't take long before we had gone into a frenzy, streaming into apartment buildings, up the steps, down the elevators, stopping just long enough to take a bite of one our treats!

Two hours later, I walked through the door, barely able to hold the pillowcase filled with the nights rewards.
"Look at you!" shrieked my mother, "you are a mess! and look at my costume, its ruined!"
Yes, the costume was shredded and decorated with chocolate, the hat and monacle gone, my sisters tights had holes in the knees.
"Your Costume?" I asked,  "Didn't you make this for me?"

When we make something with love and give it to another, we still feel as if we are the owner.

Step outside, birds sing, the flowers paint the ground with their brillant colors, the morning sunrise that takes your breath away, a moonlight night with a thousand stars to gaze upon, the scent of an ocean breeze, the gentle warmth of the sun......These are just a few of the things that were made for us, each precisely created with Love. While man feels he rules this world and can  run it the way he pleases, no doubt,the Owner had something else in mind! (and who can deny his sense of ownership!)

Make You Feel My Love

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong.

I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on the rollin’ sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain’t seen nothing like me yet.
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Nothing that I wouldn’t do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love -  Bob Dylan

Yes, when something is made with Love, the ownership remains with the maker,long after its given away!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

GB-2 (Subject : Safe Haven) "The Babys Room"

                                   The Babys Room

Being the father of 3 boys, I can still recall their infant cries in the middle of night. Half awake, I would stumble down the hall and retrieve them from their crib.

By the time my third son came along, I had the 3 A.M. drill down to a routine. Then, on one such night, I awoke,not from his cry, but from the sound of silence. I glanced at alarm clock 3:15 A.M. "Any moment now" I murmered to myself. Minutes passed, still no cry. "Is he alright?" I asked myself....as anxiety began to pour in. I waited a few minutes more, til my nervous imagination and fear got the better part of me,I ejected myself from the mattress and I moved quickly down the hall to his room.

With my heartbeat racing, I aproached the crib, leaned over and observed. I gently lifted him up and held his tiny face to my mouth..there they were..the tinest but sweetest breaths one could possibly imagine! As I held my precious son to my chest,simultaneously, my heightened fears were put to rest. In that quiet moment  I could not help but wonder about our Creator. Why doesn't he come to our cries in the middle of the night? What could possibly be preventing him from wanting to pick us up and hold us close? Reasure us that we are safe?  How could he resist such a pleasure in comforting us?

I cannot speak for our Creator, but on that night I did realize that he has selected a wonderful nursemaid to attend to us. This nursemaid is is at our sides at all times, and never fails to pick us up during our darkest moments. The nursemaid that our Creator has selected is called HOPE.

As my boys grew, I observed them carefully. Whether catching butterflies, baseballs or a fish. Whether they were blowing out candles on a birthday cake,loving their pets, or studying for a test, I have seen their nursemaid,HOPE, standing in their shadows, providing that "safe haven" for their dreams and sometimes I could even see the Nursemaid bringing their dreams a little closer to them!

Now I know, when I step outside at night, and gaze into the night sky, musing upon the stars and moon, their beauty and precision.....that little spark of eternal energy that runs through my nerves, is merely a confirmation that my nuresemaid, HOPE is standing nearby!

Peace and Blessings.....Marc :)

Monday, October 10, 2011

GB-2 (subject: Clarity) "The Meditation"

                   The  Meditation     My friend told me about the amazing day he had in Key West. He paid a visit to a meditition teacher who resided in a small house off the beach. The teachers ' house had the most spectactular  view of the ocean and the infamous "Key West Sunset!" I asked my friend to allow me to join him on his next vist.
     That day came, and we arrived at the teachers house in the mid afternoon. While he greeted us warmly, I could not help but being overcome with a  feeling of disappointment when noticing that all the shades in house had been drawn down.

I spent my first moments debating with myself if I should ask him why he closes off his house to a breathtaking view of the ocean!
    The meditation teacher was a marvelous host, engaging us in a lively conversation and then serving us some delightful green jasmine tea.
    Every few moments, my mind would wander to the fact that I had not yet seen the spectacular view of the ocean. As I sat in a chair in the dark room I could hear the gentle rolling waves of the ocean teasing me.
   It was now past eight o clock, I knew the sun was about to reach the shoreline, I began to stir. The meditation teacher annouced it was now time to perform our meditation. "This will be impossible" I said to myself as I could not get over the fact he witheld us from a breathtaking view.
    He led us into a room that only had mats on the floor and shades on the walls, which were rolled down."Get into position" he gently commanded. I squatted down, folded my legs, outstreched my hands. "Take a deep breath...and hold it" he instructed.
Just as I filled my  lungs with a deep breath,I noticed this very fine beacon of liight streaming right in my eye! Directly ahead of me was a small separation in the windowshade, there was a tear in it! I could see the sun taking its bow into the horizon. I could make out its magnificant reflection across the flattened ocean! Through this tiny opening, firey hues of orange and purple came pouring in.
   There I was, filled with this one breath, and in a direct view of this intense stream of pure beauty. I was alone with this one lost ray of light.
  Suddenly, I felt connected to something far greater than anything here on earth. I could feel my connection to the universe! And this connection was sustained by this one breath I was holding.

In a flash of second, I realized that just as this sun lights up and nourishes this world, I too am given a very similar power. Just as the sun transfers its light to me, I can transfer light to my world! I too just need to find an openeing, a "crack in shade."
    I  mused  about the  beauty that lies within nature, it resonates too sharply to be random or accidental. Light and darkness....life and death ...are both given great distances between them, but the line they cross from one realm to another, is so very fine, and unavoidable.
   We must make the most of who we are, inbetween those lines, and with each breath!
   I wish for you to be able to have that moment when you can see through the crack in the shade.
  Peace~~~   Marc :)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

GB-2 (subject: Balance) "Confessions Of A Tightrope Walker"

                                  Confessions Of A Tightrope Walker

"Hey Look Up!........ Up here....   I'm up here on the highwire!"

No need to be fascinated by my talent, afterall, we are all tightrope walkers!  Yes, with this one heart we have and the 24 sets of emotions it must balance makes us bonafide tightrope walkers!  Imagine, one heart that must balance Love & Hate, Joy & Sorrow, Courage & Fear, Selflessness & Greed, Confidence & Doubt.
---Imagine, one heart balancing a mixture of those emotions at any one time!  No wonder so many fall off the highwire, that is just too much to keep balanced!

There is no shame in falling off the highwire, there is only shame in not getting back up!

Now, I've been up here for quite sometime and I am often asked "what's the trick?"  I smile and gently reply....."gratitude". 

  I am deeply grateful for every minute I breathe, and once I am fully grateful for each minute, yes, I can be grateful for the moments where I deal with my own emotions of hate, greed, fear, sorrow, etc.  I know these are the emotions that are so heavy that they will weigh me down to one side. They will cause me to lose my balance and hit the floor hard.  But I am well aware, once down, a hand of kindness will come along, ask if I am alright, and will even help me back on that highwire!

So while the heart struggles to balance , I can remain forever grateful knowing that each negative emotion will be met with a counterweight!   Now, don't  me down, let me see your smiles and who knows, I may be doing this with my unicycle!

Wishing all a safe and balanced week!     Marc :)

Friday, September 30, 2011

GB-2 (subject: Judgement) "MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL"

         "MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL"

 Each day we stand before the mirror, we check our hair, face,skin,and teeth. We are quick to notice any blemish and judge our well being on what we see in the mirror, sadly in our "sight oriented world" we rarely spend a moment checking what is on the inside of us, our spirit, our soul.

 Who amongst us is not familar with that famous line in Snow White,  "mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?" 
  The mirrors response of Snow White was a reference to both her beauty and her heart. For Snow White was as kind to others as her beauty was to the world.  Forced to flee deep into the forest, she touched each and every creature that lived there. She took residence with 7 dwarfs, each with its own  personality (Grumpy, Sneezy, Dopey etc) that required a higher level of understanding and acceptance. Despite their shortcomings (no pun intended) their open hearts, and selfless ways allowed their fondness and mutual adoration of each other thrive!

There is another type of Beauty that is so spectacular it blinds us with an explosion of joyful living. When one brings Joy, Hope & Encouragement into someones elses day , a mirror can only reflect a soul that is simply "the fairest of all".

 Aside from revealing the Beauty of Snow White, the magic mirror revealed one of lifes greatest lessons, which is, True Joy is most often found just beyond the point of "knowing to Judge"!

Wishing a non judgemental and joyful day to all!        Marc :)

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

GB-2 "Loyality" Thanks For Nothing (A lesson in loyalty)

      “THANKS FOR NOTHING”  (A Lesson in Loyalty)

         One day we were home from school and after having a boring catch outside, Alex invited Ray and me back to his house. No one was at his home. He opened the door and walked straight into the living room! The livingroom was decorated with hundreds of glass figurines and small statues.
 "C’mon, don't be scared, you guys can sit in here" he cajoled. Reluctantly, we sat down, and looked around us, stunned by the massive collection of figurines that seemed to be staring at us. Alex removed the tennis ball from his pocket, and began tossing it in the air. "Hey Alex , not a good idea" we cautioned him. He laughed, and then tossed the ball over to Ray.."catch!" he said (implying a dare to drop the ball). Ray caught the ball, and then tossed it to me. Call it pre adolescent Bravado, but we began tossing that ball around...faster...and faster...till, my toss to Alex sailed over his outstretched hands and made a direct hit on the end table! The figurines were scattered about, and one slid off the table and onto the floor! We jumped up and ran over to asses the damage. Alex leaning over the figurine exclaimed, "My Mom is gonna kill me!....This is her favorite horse and its all busted up!"I tried to mitigate the circumstance with "favorite horse? There must be 100 little horses here, and THIS ONE is her favorite?"   "You better believe it" said Alex..."She paid 200 bucks for this one...it's her favorite!"
     My stomach collapsed, I broke a 200 dollar horse! My Mom was gonna kill me too!...... "Hold on" I said as I tried to gain control of a situation that was going out of control. I began rearranging the animals that were on the table, trying to compensate for the empty space . "There!, Now she will never know her horse is missing..the display looks the same as when we first walked in here."   Ray nodded his head in agreement and we decided to bury the broken horse figurine in the backyard.
    The next day at school, Ray and I met up with Alex. "Boy is my Mom mad!" He exclaimed. As soon as she walked into the living room she cried out, "who messed up my end table?....and then  that is when she noticed her favorite horse was missing!" "What did you tell her?" I asked with panic in my heart. "I told her that I didn't know a thing...that maybe my sister and her friends did something to it".  "You won't ever tell her that it was us, will you?" I asked. "Nope" said Alex..."I don't squeal on my friends"
"Alex" I said with a sigh of relief, "you are the best friend that someone could have" I saias I placed my arm around Alex..."I really owe you"......

     Time passed, my gratefulness for Alex not exposing me played into our friendship. I would loan him nickels for candy and let him use my bike whenever he needed. 
    Several months passed, it was now Spring and just when that incident was as deeply buried as that horse, my Mother confronted me. "I just got off the phone with Alex's mom, and while she was working in her garden she found a broken horse figurine buried there. She says that you, Alex and Ray were playing one day and broke it....is that true?"..........  I was caught!  .... In shame and for Mercy I put my head down and   put my best puppy dog eyes on...."yes Mom....we broke it". 
 "Well, you will be grounded for the next month and I told her that I would share in the cost of replacing that horse..so you will be losing 5 weeks of your allowance money."   My head was spinning....I can't believe that Alex caved in and confessed...especially 5 months after we broke that horse!.....Grounded and no allowance for....  Five weeks? That's it? I got 75 cents a week.....how does that add up to 200 dollars?
      The next day came and at first, I did not want to even look at Alex.. Over the past 5 months,I had thanked him a million times, bought him candy, loaned him my bike...all that "Thanks" and gratitude..and what does he do?  Rat me out!  But I was curious about why I was only losing 5 weeks of allowance...so.... "Hey Alex!   Thanks for Nothing!...you couldn't deny it?"...... "No I couldn't" he said with his head in shame...."Besides, I'm the one that has to face her everyday...I am the one who hears her..I am one who is paying for this"... Then I asked about the cost of the horse...."oh, I made a mistake, the horse was only a few bucks..."  He put out his hand to me..."still friends?" he asked.....I slowly put my hand out there.."yeah...we're still friends"
   And so I learned....no matter how thankful you are and how grateful and loyal you might be to a friend, it is not a guarantee that they will always perform in a manner that is to your liking...there will be a time when they let you down.
 A  Loyal friendship is not one that is based on being grateful and thankful only  as long as the "thanks" are being repaid.....
The years passed, and Alex and I remained loyal friends. As we entered adolesence we shared the gossip and secrets of who had a crush on who. He was the first to know about a girl I had a crush on, and like a good loyal friend, he made sure that she learned of this which  had led me to a sweet kiss!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

GB2 : subject: Longing "Mountain Of Knowledge"

  Its a simple lifelong longing, my thirst for knowledge. I must be careful as it comes in many forms ... here is one example..
Mountain Of Knowledge
One day I climbed to a plateau on this mountain, and as I was inhaling the soft breezes, I could hear cries coming from the side of the mountain. I went to the edge, looked down and saw two damsels were stranded on a ledge just 12 feet below!

 “Please help us” they sobbed. I rubbed my eyes, for these damsels in distress were no ordinary damsels, they were Wisdom and Peace!  I assumed that if I could rescue them, they would share their inner most secrets with me! “Help is on the way” I called out. I turned to a nearby tree and broke off branches and leaves and fashioned a vine. I secured the vine around a rock and lowered myself down to the ledge.
I held one arm open to Wisdom and said “come, place your arm around my waist and I will carry you up”. Wisdom approached and as she took the vine from my hand, gave me a nudge. “Do you really think that Wisdom doesn’t know how to climb?” she asked with a smile. In the blink of an eye, she climbed up to the plateau. I held my arm open to Peace, and said “come Peace, hold on to my waist and I will carry you up”. Peace approached me, and also nudged me to the side and placed the vine around her waist. “When you have Wisdom as a friend, you don’t need more”. In the blink of an eye, Peace was lifted up to the plateau. I looked up to see the pair looking down at me,”ok, very nicely done, please toss me the vine”. I said with a tone of defeat in my voice.   Their smiling faces disappeared and their laughter began to fade away. “The Vine!” I called out. Wisdom called back, “you don’t need a vine, you will figure out how to get back up, and when you do, you will be Wiser and at Peace with yourself!” As their laughter faded, I mused, yes, one must be very careful in what they wish for as it manifests itself in ways we cannot imagine! 
  How foolish to think that Wisdom and Peace would need me to rescue them!
It was  a lesson well learned!

Despite the years that have passed, the many lessons learned and the knowledge gained, I long for more! Yes, I still find my way back to that and  despite the bumps and those "sprites" that inhabit it, each lesson learned bears the taste of fruit I so long for!

Have an enlightened Week...towards the light......Marc :)

Friday, August 26, 2011

GB-2 "Things That Grow Wild" I SHOT THE SHERIFF

I Shot The Sheriff
  The Cerebrum!   That is the part of the brain that dominates all functions of the mind.  In my town, it is known as The Sheriff! Not a border can be crossed, not a single whim or fantasy can be engaged when this guy is on guard!
   The Sheriff, creates and enforces every rule I follow, and shadows my every move. Admittedly, this would be an easy job if not for the Hypothalamus. The Hypothalamus is the part of the brain that handles "desire". The Hypothalamus, often discouraged by the constraints, does not sit idle. It plans, it schemes, and searches for that one moment when it can break free, run wild, and has its moment in the sun!
 There have been times I have made that made dash to the border, and was left with no choice but to turn, take aim and shoot that Sheriff......only to find a deputy (guilt) in hot pursuit!
The Nature of the human spirit,  defined by invisible borders, designed to be crossed, so we may all find our way home.
Soulful Journeys, Marc J

Friday, August 19, 2011

GB-2 "TRUST" When Faith is Interrupted

Faith Interrupted
   When death, serious illness, and news of crumbling relationships resonate in my ears, my complete and unyielding Trust in the warm hand of the Almighty becomes interrupted.  Once again, I turn and look for a clue...could there even be one? Why are our hearts allowed to fall to the ground and shatter as if they were made of fine porcelain?  We were designed so precisely and with such complexity that a thousand scientists cannot duplicate. Yet, with all our precision, the world we live in so very fragile. In one second, our lives can change forever.
Any logical mind must ask, "what was our Creator thinking? Was he distracted in the middle of our conception and ovelooked this one aspect?" 
The answer  may be as close as taking a closer look at ourselves.
Please enjoy this with your next cup... 

    As my sons were growing up, they looked up to me for all sorts of answers, especially to their homework assignments!  When my youngest was 12, he saw me as a natural wealth of quick information. I was a virtual Encyclopedia!
    One night he came to me and said in a half whine..."Dad, I need help with my math homework...I really don't understand the problems."  ..... I always enjoyed being engaged and challenged...after all, eighth grade math was my calling! 
"Hmmm...O.K.....here we go....if x+4 =8, we'll move the x to this side, subtract that side...."  and to his relief, I unraveled this dark mystery for him . He was never amazed at my swift calculations, after all, I was Dad, I was supposed to know!
    Imagine my amazement when he came home from school the next day and waved the homework assignment in my face..."Look Dad, an "F"....all of YOUR answers were wrong! I can't believe it Dad...an "F"....!!....I can't believe I trusted you!
    My mouth fell to the open position and stayed frozen that way. Aside from the disbelief that I had incorrectly answered every question, was the fact that I let my son down..way down!  After rereading the questions that were asked, I understood that my approach to his assignment was all wrong, but that did not matter now. I asked him how much this assignment meant to the grade for the period. "Well, I was running a B-, but with this F, I'll be lucky to get a "C" for a grade.Now what do you suggest?"
   I had never let my son down like I had at that moment. There was no fixing this, I couldn't explain to the teacher that Dad was doing his sons homework and failed to properly follow instructions. I just looked at my son and explained that he would now need to work extra hard. He would need to be  better prepared for tests and do some extra credit work.  "You mean I have to do all that extra hard work because you couldn't do my homework right?"

     A parent is supposed to have the answers, it is the  problem solver, the parent is supposed to make the hurt go away...it is  not supposed to be the source of it.

Perhaps our Creator knew all too well, if he could solve all our problems for us, we would never devolop to our potential. We would have this complete and unwavering TRUST in his ability to keep our world steady and straight. Perhaps our Creator knew all too well, this abundant TRUST would prevent TRUTH, HOPE & GRATIDUE of flourishing in our heart. Without truth, hope and gratitude, our hearts would become lazy, reliant and irresponsible.

So tragic news which breaks hearts, and interrupts faith will always be a fact of life.We need to remember to channel the pain and despair to where it belongs. A place that lives deep with our very core, our heart which is where TRUST  resides.

Peace & Blessings, Marc :)

    

To all my friends  who have recently lost loved ones, to those who have loved ones battling a serious or life threatening illness, to those struggling in family matters, to all of those who face despair as if it were a permanent fixture in their day.....The Parent does not have all the answers, and to believe so only allows for a faith interrupted.

My prayers of a return and restoration to a peaceful soul~~~Marc