tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59274288474025602024-03-13T19:48:25.693-07:00One More Cup Of Coffeegrains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-56627957772179434742013-03-23T20:45:00.001-07:002013-03-23T20:48:32.896-07:00Do You Want To Know A Secret? - GBE Subject - "Romance"<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Do You Want To Know A Secret
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<span style="font-size: small;"> On any given night there are two hearts, never before entwined, which are destined
for each other. Well contained and concealed from each others
reach only the secret words, "I love You", can release them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Once spoken the two hearts
will burst from their area of confinement, race into each other, grabbing hold
and dance in the rain of joy, tapping in the puddles of their passion, splashing
droplets of magic in every direction! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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Many years ago.....</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> Spring came that year, we shared that Spanish 101 class
for five weeks. While my heart was on my sleeve, hers was well concealed. I had
no idea how she felt about me, if anything at all.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> A party celebrating Spring was made, and we attended. At
midnight, people began filing out, leaving just her, me, and another couple.
"Lets go for a bite" suggested my friend.."I feel like something in Chinatown".
We quickly agreed and were in his car heading for downtown N.Y.C. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> We made it to the downtown area, the car radio playing the
loveable sing along oldies. We drove along the riverside, the imposing
skyscrapers, softly lit, were like giant ornaments for the night sky....the
water, softly reflecting the light of the moon.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> We were seated in the back, I at one side, and her staring
out the car window on the other side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> The song by the Beatles, Do You Want To Know A
Secret? came on, over the radio</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"You'll never know how much I really love you</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">you'll never know how much I really care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Listen (do-wa-do) do you want to know a secret?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">do you promise not to tell?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...........................................I sat on my side of
the car, a huge grin broke out on my face...."gee, if she only knew" my heart
spun its awakening call......</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">my lips went in sync with the song....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"Ive known a secret for a week or two,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">nobody knows just we too, listen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">(do-wa-do)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I turned to face her.....and behold..she was facing me with a
sweet smile and was singing...our eyes locked.....in unison</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">"do you want to know a secret</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">do you promise not to tell</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm in love with you"......</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">.........it was followed with the softest yet most powerful
kiss that I had ever come to known in my short life.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Now, many years later I cannot even recall what occured the
remainder of that evening.....I just know a part of my heart was left behind
beneath a moonlight night, and in the tune of a Beatle song that liberated
it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Sweet liberations to the hearts that silently wait....your
turn will come! ....</span></div>
</div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-50198016002718939182013-02-08T20:03:00.001-08:002013-02-08T20:03:49.888-08:00Unbreakable Vows - (GBE #90- subject: Dream)<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
UNBREAKABLE VOWS </h3>
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Imagine for a moment, that movie theaters had no marquis. That's right,
no names in the bright lights, no posters on the front doors. You enter the
theater, sit down, and must watch whatever appears on the giant screen!<br />
The picture begins and behold you are the main character! "What? How
did I get in this flick?" you would always ask yourself! "I must be dreaming!"
The truth is, you would be dreaming!<br />
<br />
We close our eyes each night and are escorted into a theater where we have
no idea what scenes are about to take place. We become the main
character, speaking lines and playing a part that we have not rehearsed.<br />
<br />
The other night I closed my eyes and was escorted to my seat in this
theater. The scene opened, and standing before me was my first love, wearing a
wedding dress and white flowers in her hair. She had aged the many years that
lie between us, but had that youthful look in her eyes. A voice spoke loud, "You
may now kiss the bride". In the same instant a narrative explained that we met
later on in life and were now being wed! "At Last" I breathed,as we both slowly
leaned towards each other. Our lips met,and I could feel the warmth and
tenderness of this special kiss. As our lips parted, I took her hand and placed
it on my heart heart. I smiled and said, "look how fast my heart beats from your
kiss". There was a twinkle in her eyes, and a smile on her face as she said "you
remembered".<br />
<br />
In the next instant I was jumping out bed, beads of sweat running down my
neck and my heart racing.In my
altered state I went straight to the bathroom and turned the shower to full
blast. "What was that?" I muttered to myself as the water pounded down on my
head. "What was that?" ....Puzzled like a person who lands in foreign country
and can't speak a word of their language.<br />
<br />
I replayed the dream over and over, very careful not to edit or embellish,
as if it was going to be evidence that would be submitted in court. I was locked
in this altered state, unable to sort out the meaning. Her last words "you
remembered" haunted me. What was it that I remembered? What was it that she
thought I had forgotten? What could have created this whole scenario? Slowly,
the truth began to emerge, not all at once, but slowly, like the sun rising over
the horizon.<br />
When we close our eyes and enter the arena of sleep, we let go of reality.
Once reality is tucked away, a cinema that we are not aware of begins playing.
The doors to our heart open and many emotions come pouring out seeking a
direction.. If we are lucky, the heart will take them to place in time when
great changes occured in our lives. If we are really lucky, they return to the
point where the toe of innocense made its fist step into the sea of love. <br />
My rapidly beating heart occured at our first kiss.We always ask ourself
when engaging in that first kiss,"what does he/she think?" There was no denying
thet her kiss could make my heart pound and I was happy to show her. She always
responded, "yeah, but will you say that tomorrow?" <br />
What I had forgotten in reality, I remembered in a dream!<br />
Only in a dream can one be returned to place where all the broken promises
are put back together to form an unbreakable vow.<br />
So, as you wander through your days and close your eyes at night, just
know, that someone, somwhere has placed you in their cinema, reassembled all the
broken promises and remembers what reality has taken away. May you rise in the
morning knowing,there exists a place where there are unbreakable vows.<br />
<br />
Sweet Dreams! Marc :)</div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-72693302542948767732013-02-02T21:01:00.000-08:002013-02-02T21:01:02.336-08:00Fool On The Hill - GBE #89 (subject: Picture Prompt)<img alt="WEEK #89 (1-27-13 to 2-2-13): Picture Prompt
Please use this photo as your prompt. I found it for free on morgueFile, and you are welcome to use it, too. Though morgueFile doesn’t require attribution for this photo, I still think it’s a nice thing to mention where you found the pic. You don’t have to, but if you’d like, you may credit the picture on your post to morguefile dot com.
You have until Saturday (2-2-13) to post this week’s blog and leave your URL as a comment on this thread (Remember, URLs only here!).
Please remember to use the URL to your entry for this week’s specific topic post, NOT to your blog’s home page.
For those of you who use Twitter, the hashtag for the group's posts is #GBE2, and we can increase readership if we tweet early and tweet often. ;O)
Happy blogging!
Beth" class="img" height="258" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s480x480/309895_10151469419389453_1093514455_n.jpg" width="398" /><br />
<br />
I could have been a Doctor and saved some lives<br />
I could have been a Teacher and shaped some young minds<br />
I could have been a carpenter, chef, author, or anyone who affect another persons world.<br />
<br />
I chose the path less travelled.<br />
<br />
I came here to see the majestic of sunrises and sunsets.<br />
Uninhibited views of starlight nights, and hear the completely unedited sounds of nature.<br />
To taste the unfiltered sweetness of the earth and suckle every scent from each breeze.<br />
<br />
Indeed, to feel the love of the Creator and learn the true reason why we are here.<br />
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Years passed, and with each passing season, I could sense, I was closer to the truth.<br />
<br />
One day a young man came to my door.He noticed my house, secluded from the world and asked if I knew there was another house like this. I made some tea and we sat and talked. He reminded me of the man I once was, a passion forand understanding for the path less travelled. I had confided that my years in seclusion had given me access to the true reason why we are here. His eyes widened,"please tell me what you have learned", he asked. I paused, and realized, if I handed him the answer, his quest would be over, the effort in solving the riddle is the lesson and what leads to the truth is the truth.<br />
<br />
I thanked him for his company and bid him on his way and wished him luck in his journey. I know he wasn't pleased with my sudden silence, but one day he will know.<br />
<br />
As for you, please feel welcome to come anytime, there will always be two teacup settings at my table.<br />
<br />
Day after day,<br />Alone on a hill,<br />The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still<br />But nobody wants to know him,<br />They can see that he's just a fool,<br />And he never gives an answer,<br /><br />But the fool on the hill,<br />Sees the sun going down,<br />And the eyes in his head,<br />See the world spinning 'round- The Beatles<br />
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grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-21680297093317235012013-01-26T20:11:00.000-08:002013-01-26T20:11:31.152-08:00(GBE Subject: Music) - The Tune Of a Babys Toy<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
The Tune Of Babys Toy
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<span style="font-size: medium;">While searching through an overstuffed closet, down from
somewhere, a small toy bunny came tumbling down. I picked it up and quickly
recognized it. It was one of the first toys I had brought home for my newborn
son many (many!) years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> I examined the fluffy character and gave the key in its back
a twist. The delicate jingle jangle eminated from the animal once again,
bringing alive memories of time so long ago!These tunes are so deeply woven in
my heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> I focused on the tune that was playing......this was the
tune that filled my car when we took trips to the market. This was the tune
that I would first resort to play upon hearing his tender cries in his crib.
This was the tune that masked all sounds of the house, and allowed all to
know....there was a baby in the house. This tune played everywhere, like it was
a top 40 hit!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"> The tune that plays for an infant is like no other.....so
very delicate, and soft....just as the babys skin. The delicate notes grab at
small heights and contain a rhythm that seems to carry hidden
blessings.....almost as if....angels were playing!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Listen to the tune of a childs toy.......its about as close to
sound of heaven you will hear!</span></div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-65720566119904530692012-12-22T20:45:00.000-08:002012-12-22T20:45:57.632-08:00GBE #83 PRECISION vs. PERFECTION-( I still Pray)<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
Precision Vs. Perfection
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My prayers for Peace & Comfort go out to all who have been affected by the horrible tragedy in Newton, Ct. Its not just the loss all of the Love , Hope and dreams we may have seen , but the way it was brutally ripped away from us. The weight of grief that family and friends are carrying ,unimaginable, their lives
forever changed, as they are forced on a dark path towards an untrusted destiny.<br />
<br />
Many have asked the same question that was asked so many times before, "God what is your plan?"<br />
<br />
God, (or Our Creator) does not sit in the heavens with a joystick, and with one flick of his wrist have a maniac take the precious lives of the innocent. He does not conjure up Hurricanes and Tornados and aim them at the the very same people who pray and give thanks. He doen't guide evil through our world like some child guiding Super Mario on his game pad.<br />
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Just because we do not understand the language of our Creator, doesn't mean a plan doesn't exist.<br />
<br />
So, what is the plan?<br />
<br />
The answer is ( as it always is) right in front of us.<br />
Scientists and Drs. have marveled over our construction, it is a work of genius! We are a network of arteries, veins,
muscle and bone. We are a symbiotic series of systems (nervous, digestive,
repoductive) that come together and allows us to sustain our species.We are infused with an invisible spirit which has 16 sets of paired emotions ( love/ hate, joy/sorrow, courage/fear)<br />
Think an iPhone is an amzing piece of work? It doesn't come close to us! We are an amazing creation! Yet, with all of this precision, it
takes only one cancerous cell, one micscopic virus or clot and all this
precision comes tumbling down! Just one moment of hate, one selfish moment and the course of lives completely changed. What was God thinking??? To create something so
very, very precise and yet, so imperfect!<br />
<br />
Precision is not perfection. <br />
<br />
The plan? It is knowing how imperfect we are, how imperfect this world, how imperfect our destiny can become that should keep us thankful for each day. Its a plan to have us instinctively live our lives with a purpose that
positively affects others . The plan is to work on perfecting ourselves .<br />
<br />
I am deeply saddenened from this horibble tragedy, but find comfort in still seeing, that for every person that falls, there will be 10 hands to carry it, and a thousand hearts to provide comfort for the grieving.<br />
<br />
Just in case the plan to strive for perfection would not work, we were blessed with HOPE.<br />
<br />
Stick that in your iPhone!<br />
meanwhile<br />
I still pray...</div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-61796611593033342352012-12-14T21:01:00.000-08:002012-12-14T21:01:02.881-08:00GBE-2 Subject: My First Car- "CHE"
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<b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CHE" <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…In 1970 I purchased my first car. A
1960 Rambler, also known as the “box”. For those of you who have never seen
this particular model, I suggest looking up this piece of folk automobile
history.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first upgrade this faded grey
auto got was an 8 track player. Nothing could be more sublime than driving down
the streets of New York City with Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Richie Havens
blasting out the open windows, wailing their songs of peace and anti war
sentiments.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, in 1970, it was all about making
a statement! I soon felt that the music was not enough; after all, everyone
that drove had an eight track stereo and was blasting music. On a beautiful
fall weekend, I collaborated with an art student and together we attempted to
paint a huge smile on the trunk of the car. Bright red lips, stretching from
the left rear light to the right light! The bright red lips were “my
statement”. Many things come from lips, words of love…a sweet smile, or a
tender kiss!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We spent a few moments admiring our
work when I noticed how terribly faded the front of the car was. On the sides
of the front headlights we wrote in an Old English font “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">CHE”</b> (Latin for “short and chubby”). Satisfied with our artwork we
decided to give CHE a test ride. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Down the street we drove. Some of
the cars tooted us and people were blowing kisses at my female companion,
others raising their fists and chanting, “Viva Che Gueverra”. Che Gueverra? I
asked, who is Che Guevara? “Oops” she smiled, I think Che Guevara helped Castro
with the overthrow of the Cuban regime. “Groovy”! I exclaimed, as I turned up
the stereo and allowed Bob Dylan’s “rainy day woman” to come pouring out the
windows. I was thrilled! In a time when people wanted to be heard, to have
their feelings made visible….I was doing it! In the following days I drove that
car and enjoyed the attention it brought…..till one day my sister needed to use
the car! (She helped me finance the purchase). "Do you know who Che
Guevarra is?" I used as my defense as she threatened to call her loan in. Screaming
back me with her high pitched voice of anger,"I don't care who he is, but
I'm sure every guy in Brooklyn that has pulled up next to me while I am stopped
at a traffic light and blows kisses at me, doesn't give a sh*t about Che
Guevarra!"</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
road of life……drive that car as far as you can!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-37556184329486936792012-12-07T19:44:00.002-08:002012-12-07T19:44:45.608-08:00GB-2 Subject - "Bedtime Story" - The Circle Game
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Circle Game</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">One of my favorite photos is situated in the
middle of a large wall collage of photos that hangs on the wall. It's not a
family portrait, nor some posed shot at a milestone family gathering. It is a
photo of my three sons, at the ages of two, five and eight. Three beautiful
squeaky clean smiles peering out of a shower stall door that is just opening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">What makes this photo so dear, is the timing
of the photo. Just staring at it I am swept back to those days and that hour of
the day...."O.K. boys, dry yourselves off and hop into your pajamas...I'll
meet you in bed for your bedtime story!" Through the door, I could hear
their excitement...."oh boy, I hope he tells us a good one"....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">They were still small enough to fit on one
bed and curl up around me. A chorus of requests would emanate, "tell us
the Toys R Us story," "tells us the story when we got Locked in
McDonalds" "tell us the story when we were shrunk and put into a
video game"......No, you won't find these stories in your Story time books....Every
once in awhile, I would hand sew a night time tale to custom fit their
imaginations. "The airplane story"!....yes, that was one of their
most requested......My, how they loved watching airplanes taking off and
landing at the airport! In this particular story, I had taken them to the
airport for an afternoon of watching. While there, they wandered onto a
jetliner that was idle. They sat in cockpit musing at the hundreds of dials and
switches. The older boys dared the younger one to flip a switch. The youngest
flipped the switch and the door to the jet closed. "Whoa, better flip it
back" they beckoned. When the youngest did, the engines of the jet began
to turn..........and each subsequent flipping, the wheels were set in motion
for taking off........till, they finally did!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The story continued how I grabbed a pilot and
we jumped on another plane and took off after them! We lined up the planes,
wing to wing, and I described how I would open the door to walk across to get
into their plane. My five year old would always ask..."dad, would you
really walk on the wing on of a jet at 25,000 feet high to save us?"
"yes" I would smile.."that's how much daddy loves
you".....(sneaking in my ultimate message!)... I boarded their plane and
took them in for a safe landing. "Did you punish us?" The oldest
would ask...."No T.V. or nintendo for a year!" I firmly stated. The
little one would pout, but it wasan accident, we didn't mean to fly the
plane"...."I know" ....."and while no one got hurt, ...you
did wander off away from Daddy....so, that's in part what the punishment is
for"....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The scent of their freshly washed hair, their
skin so soft, their heartbeats so tender, we would lay a few minutes more
before each one was escorted off to his own bed. They would close their eyes
knowing they were protected, and loved beyond measure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I don't think I have known anything so
eloquent as those moments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I look at that photo, and do not say
"what a shame those moments could not last" but rather, I muse,
"what a shame it would have been, had I not had one of those moments"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
------------------------------------------------------<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">and the wheel spins round......<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Adobe Garamond Pro Bold","serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Yesterday a child came out to wonder<br />
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar<br />
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder<br />
And tearful at the falling of a star<br />
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons<br />
Skated over ten clear frozen streams<br />
Words like, when youre older, must appease him<br />
And promises of someday make his dreams<br />
And the seasons they go round and round<br />
And the painted ponies go up and dawn<br />
Were captive on the carousel of time<br />
We cant return we con only look behind<br />
From where we came<br />
And go round and round and round, in the circle game.- Joni Mitchell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-52460529270572920202012-09-27T20:58:00.001-07:002012-09-27T21:01:04.781-07:00GBE #71 - RETROSPECT - "FIRST KISS"GBE#71- Subject: Retrospect <br />
<br />
"FIRST KISS"<br />
<br />
Each and every minute is constructed exactly the same way, it has precisely 60 seconds. Most minutes pass quickly by, but there are some, that last for eternity as they sparkle with unique light and allow us to look back and see the minute in a whole different light!<br />
<br />
...... I can recall that tender age of 13. I first noticed
girls batting their eylids at me, calling my name cutely, and teased me for
attention. I was naive in noticing that it was "nature calling". When the time
came for my first kiss, I was too shy and clumbsy to live up to her
expectations!.......Word quickly spread, I was a terrible kisser! At 13, there
are no second chances!! My reputation preceded my boyhood charm and good looks!
The girls on the block had turned stone cold on me! I was devastated...and for
the next few years, I avoided being placed in a close up puckering position.
(aww)<br />
<br />
I watched T.V. shows and movies carefully.....I studied how James Bond
would lock lips with his leading ladies....Gregory Peck, Cary Grant, Kirk
Douglas...I watched them all, and observed. Through this careful observation I
discovered that kissing was not just about lips being locked together, but it
was the intimate formation two souls, using the lips as a conduit for their
passion. The passion of two souls!<br />
<br />
Many years passed, and in one night, the phobia was laid to rest, as I
fell into the eyes of another and she whispered the words into my ear..."oh
Marc, where did you ever learn to kiss like that?"<br />
<br />
....Such well formed minutes shine like stars in the night, creating an invisible constellations which have served to guide. You will never lose sight of the moment as long as you look up!<br />
<br />
..<br />
<br />grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-86177352953269484532012-03-27T20:56:00.000-07:002012-03-27T20:56:39.416-07:00(GB#2- Subject- Mirror) "LOVELY & AMAZING"<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Lovely and Amazing </h3>Dedicated to women who look in the mirror and second guess what they see.<br />
<br />
Thanks to modern medicine women can now have their tummies tucked, their breasts augmented, their lips puffed and their wrinkles erased. Add a splash of hair color, a new hairdo and an application of makeup and you gals look gorgeous! Perhaps the greatest imperfection we have is the way that we see each other!<br />
<br />
While stopped at traffic light this morning, I glanced over the the car next to mine. I noticed the female driver staring in her mirror, applying a layer of makeup, painting her her lips, and fixing her hair. In that 30 second interval she made a complete transformation. The light turned green and she gave herself one last look in the mirror and smiled with approval. Little did she realize that she was facing the East. The first morning rays of light were streaming through the windshield.. In that pure light that only our Creator could have provided, I could see the softness of her feminine skin, the sensousness of her lips illuminated, and the silkyness of hair, highlighted. In that pure stream of light, she looked so lovely and amazing!<br />
<br />
The next time you second guess yourself, I urge you step outside beneath a moonlight night and allow the moonbeams to circle your head and imagine this secret admiration that has been made just for you! Yes, you are, so lovely and amazing!~~~~~~~~~~~Marc :)grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-10948524997272561882012-02-21T20:43:00.000-08:002012-02-21T20:43:34.418-08:00GB-2 (Subject "Do Over") "DO OVERS FOR DUMMIES<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> Do Overs for Dummies</span>
Knowledge about any subject is as close as your nearest bookstore. There you can
become an expert in anything; Photography For Dummies, IPhones for Dummies,
Finance for Dummies, etc.
Chances are you won't find " Do Overs for Dummies" as that book was written long
ago and hopefully it's lesson will not be imposed upon us again.
It took just 10 generations since Adam & Eve for God to throw up his hands and say I want a do
over!" He selected the most righteous person he could find, commanded him to
build an Ark and with just one male and female from each species on the planet, the world was
to be reborn, it was the big do over.
I don't know about you, but I have a hard enough time getting my dog to give up
his spot on the chair, let alone getting me convincing a black bear to get onto a boat! I have hard
time finding socks in my drawer that actually match , let alone finding an
acceptable mate for a Bengal Tiger!( "hold still Mr. Begal Tiger while I reach in to check if you are a male or female)- and what was so important about bringing
along a perfectly paired set of cockroaches? Our state of the art Cruise Ships
can't protect people from falling off or catching some deadly virus, and yet,
all who boarded the Ark, departed with all limbs in tact and in perfect
reproductive health!
That was not an ordinary boat !!
So what happened with this "do over ", wasn't this plan supposed to be a second
chance to " make it right"?
Did our Creator make an error in his calculation , "if I save 1 righteous
person, everyone born to him will be in awe of his kindness, wisdom and
intelligence !
- and why choose this process? Afterall, if you're God, you can wave a wand and
have all the evil vanquish.
Why all the rain? Why not just create another planet? He could have got the job done in 7 days instead of 40!
While the "do- over" may have missed the objective , the lesson it infused
remains as potent as ever.
Our Creator speaks to us in a very different language, using Nature as words and
the vibrations of our emotions, he speaks directly to each of us.
There are no do overs. Not even the Creator of Heaven and Earth really have a "do over".</span></tt></pre><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Lesson: This world with all it's natural beauty and unmatched precision will also have its share of pain, sorrow, and evil. And the only way to rise above and sail through is by having a kind considerate and selfless heart.</span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Ark is a spiritual vessel, constructed of faith & Hope and within the hull is where you will find a very special Peace and Harmony.</span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> If the worlds only diamond was in your hand it would be priceless.It could contain flaws and be poorly colored,the diamond would still be revered and people would line up for miles to see it. </span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">In the very same way, Kindness is like a rare diamond, it too is priceless. If God had only emotion that he could keep, it would be kindness, it would be his "Noah". For it is the kindness that we can give which makes the world a better place for others by elevating their existance too! </span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And once elevated, the last thing that is needed is a "do over" unless of course, you're a dummie! :)</span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Peace & Blessings~ Marc :)</span></tt></div><div style="font-size: 9pt;"><br />
</div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-28284232233560074832012-01-15T19:50:00.000-08:002012-01-15T19:50:58.943-08:00GB-2 (Subject- Pet Peeve) "Hildas Bra"<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> (Subject: Pet Peeve) HILDAS BRA--- SELFISHNESS SPOILS LIFES PROTOCOL </h3><br />
<div class="post-header"> <div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5312279290483458009"> I once worked for a company that each year, the week prior to Christmas, they would order in lunch for all the employees. Each day of that week a different food was ordered in. There was always plenty to go around, and the left overs were quickly scooped up who get excited over "free food".<br />
<br />
On the last day of the week, a Chinese buffet was always brought in. This would really get Hilda going. Hilda was short, stocky , large breasted dame that loved Chinese food! She had been known to charge the line, pile up a mountain of food, only to return to the food line moments later! "Where does she put it?" I would laughingly ask. One minute she was in front of me using a squeegy to fill her plate, and next she is standing behind me giving me a nudge to move faster!!!<br />
<br />
There is a marvelous protocol that we are all born with. This "protocol" has us instinctively care for and protect our young. This "protocol" will have us jump when we hear another human cry in pain. This "protocol" will have our hearts open up and share with others who are less fortunate. The only thing that disrupts this "protocol" is selfishness. It's a selfish love that disrupts the simple logic of our nature. Thus chaos gets invited to the picnic.<br />
<br />
It is just this kind of love that is my peeve.<br />
<br />
Hildas love, her selfish love of Chinese food which forces her to get on line, again and again, and have us wonder about that sagging bra she is wearing, is proof enough how our love, when executed with selfishness spoils the wonderful protocol that we were blessed with!<br />
<br />
I guess her husband always looked forward to that sweet and sour breast of chicken!</div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-42776023998781015002012-01-08T20:50:00.000-08:002012-01-08T20:50:27.454-08:00GBE- (Subject: History) Samson & Delilah SAMSON & DELILAH <br />
Samson, the symbol of strength and courage. A model of muscle and strength that all men hope to obtain.<br />
<br />
Indeed, man is consumed by the challenge of competition. Anything that challenges his strengths will have him alarmed. Man is willing to train and torture himself endlessly, just to be victorious in that challange. He trains his muscles to react, to be swift and overpowering. <br />
<br />
But deep within, man senses his vulnerablity and is fearful of it. How ironic that mans greatest desire would also be his largest fear to conquer. This unique double edged sword that I speak of is the scent of a woman.....not a fragrence, but her smile, the look in her eyes, the softness of her skin.<br />
<br />
Samson knew that with just one look into Delilah's eyes, he would not only reveal the secret of his strength,but he would reveal to the subsequent generations, the weakness of man!<br />
<br />
<br />
I confess to having this inheritance!<br />
<br />
Marc :)grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-29949570384377102242011-12-02T21:24:00.000-08:002011-12-02T21:24:45.943-08:00GB2 (Subject: The Bucket List) The Bucket ListBecause the actions of humans cannot be fully synchronized with what is embedded in their hearts, time will reveal the desires wished to be done.<br />
<br />
I confess. When I hear "Bucket List" my mind replays one of my favorite films "The Bucket List". <br />
I confess. I have watched this movie 5 times and there will be a sixth.<br />
I confess. I have been moved to tears with each viewing and have learned something new about myself each time.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
Action synchronized with the heart.<br />
<br />
I imagine I will not see the places I have dreamed of<br />
I will not have the fame nor fortune I hoped to have experienced<br />
I will not have been accompanied with fine luxuries<br />
What I have not done will be outweighed by what I have experienced and created<br />
which is this dance....to have danced with Love, Kindness & Hope........<br />
<br />
and now...for some Ben & Jerrys! Passing around the spoons ...Marc :)grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-9623706404256614962011-11-25T21:21:00.000-08:002011-11-25T21:21:18.802-08:00GB2 (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.<br />
<br />
HAPPINESS & LAUGHTER<br />
<br />
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."<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
By the way....Have a Happy Anniversary (may it be accompanied with the sound of Laughter)<br />
<br />
Marc :)grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-14059913277182371632011-11-16T21:09:00.000-08:002011-11-16T21:15:10.802-08:00GB-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:<br />
<br />
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?"<br />
<br />
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"<br />
<br />
"Nice Day?" I mutter between my breath," just when you think you have them figured out........"<br />
<br />
The more advanced the level of intuitive thinking, the more profound is the element of Surprise!<br />
<br />
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!"<br />
<br />
Marc :) :) :)grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-72820229383634224032011-11-06T20:46:00.000-08:002011-11-06T20:46:54.227-08:00GB-2 (Subject- Nature vs. Nuture) "The Shopping List"<h3 class="post-title entry-title">The Shopping List</h3><br />
<div class="post-header"> <div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4757404175713612941"> <span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> 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!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> 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, </span><span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;">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!"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> Woman....Nourisher, sustainter, healer. Since the dawn of time she has placed the needs of others ahead of her own.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> Of the two genders, she is more empathetic,has more sensitivity and cries more tears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> 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!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"> 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.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;">"She's got a way about her <br />
I don't know what it is <br />
But I know that I can't live without her <br />
She's got a way of pleasin' <br />
I don't know why it is <br />
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere <br />
<br />
She's got a smile that heals me <br />
I don't know what it is <br />
But I have to laugh when she reveals me <br />
She's got a way of talkin' <br />
I don't know why it is <br />
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere <br />
<br />
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down <br />
Inspires me without a sound <br />
She touches me and I get turned around <br />
She's got a way of showin' <br />
How I make her feel <br />
And I find the strength to keep on goin' <br />
She's got a light around her <br />
And ev'rywhere she goes a million <br />
Dreams of love surround her ev'rewhere ....Billy Joel</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial Black; font-size: medium;">Peace & Blessings....Marc :)<div class="post-body entry-content"><br />
</div></span>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-47712888275868431812011-11-02T20:46:00.000-07:002011-11-02T20:46:03.505-07:00GB-2 (Popularity) "The Ugly Duckling-Revisited""The Ugly Duckling -Revisited"<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-476146932614603354"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> 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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>camped out on <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recall a few of those conversations regarding “Miss M”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I startled myself; it was the first time I was sticking up for someone other than myself!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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”. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">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! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 eva”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dominic turned and looked at me, “and you….you get some taste”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did he know, I had a slight crush on Anita and she always had a smile for me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ballplayer of the day was!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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”!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> 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”.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">….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!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Hope always has a free ride!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Soulful Journies! Marc :)</div></div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-24785584413751782011-10-26T20:53:00.000-07:002011-10-27T08:32:53.398-07:00GB-2 (subject: Ownership) To Make You Feel My LoveIt 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.<br />
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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!<br />
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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!<br />
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Two hours later, I walked through the door, barely able to hold the pillowcase filled with the nights rewards.<br />
"Look at you!" shrieked my mother, "you are a mess! and look at my costume, its ruined!"<br />
Yes, the costume was shredded and decorated with chocolate, the hat and monacle gone, my sisters tights had holes in the knees.<br />
"Your Costume?" I asked, "Didn't you make this for me?"<br />
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When we make something with love and give it to another, we still feel as if we are the owner.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>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!)</em></span><br />
<h2 class="title">Make You Feel My Love</h2><div class="content">When the rain is blowing in your face<br />
And the whole world is on your case<br />
I could offer you a warm embrace<br />
To make you feel my love.<br />
<br />
When the evening shadows and the stars appear<br />
And there is no one there to dry your tears<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">I could hold you for a million years</span><br />
To make you feel my love.<br />
<br />
I know you haven’t made your mind up yet<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">But I would never do you wrong</span><br />
I’ve known it from the moment that we met<br />
No doubt in my mind where you belong.<br />
<br />
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue<br />
I’d go crawling down the avenue<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">There’s nothing that I wouldn’t do</span><br />
To make you feel my love.<br />
<br />
The storms are raging on the rollin’ sea<br />
And on the highway of regret<br />
The winds of change are blowing wild and free<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">You ain’t seen nothing like me yet.</span><br />
I could make you happy, make your dreams come true<br />
Nothing that I wouldn’t do<br />
Go to the ends of the earth for you<br />
To make you feel my love - Bob Dylan<br />
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Yes, when something is made with Love, the ownership remains with the maker,long after its given away!</div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-82712532421371900432011-10-19T20:12:00.000-07:002011-10-19T20:12:47.760-07:00GB-2 (Subject : Safe Haven) "The Babys Room" <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The Babys Room</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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?</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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.</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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!</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> 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!</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"> Peace and Blessings.....Marc :)</span>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-31787789868389875662011-10-10T20:52:00.000-07:002011-10-10T20:52:22.545-07:00GB-2 (subject: Clarity) "The Meditation" <span style="color: blue;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>The Meditation</strong> 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</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"> and the infamous "Key West Sunset!" I asked my friend to allow me to join him on his next vist.<br />
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.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">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!<br />
The meditation teacher was a marvelous host, engaging us in a lively conversation and then serving us some delightful green jasmine tea.<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
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.<br />
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. <br />
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.<br />
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.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;">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."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"> 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.<br />
We must make the most of who we are, inbetween those lines, and with each breath!<br />
I wish for you to be able to have that moment when you can see through the crack in the shade.<br />
Peace~~~ Marc :)</span></span>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-41761506237812541772011-10-02T21:03:00.000-07:002011-10-02T21:03:45.987-07:00GB-2 (subject: Balance) "Confessions Of A Tightrope Walker" <span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>Confessions Of A Tightrope Walker</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>"Hey Look Up!........ Up here.... I'm up here on the highwire!"</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">---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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is no shame in falling off the highwire, there is only shame in not getting back up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now, I've been up here for quite sometime and I am often asked "what's the trick?" I smile and gently reply....."gratitude". </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> 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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wishing all a safe and balanced week! Marc :)</span>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-42931470436942676092011-09-30T06:10:00.000-07:002011-09-30T06:10:46.376-07:00GB-2 (subject: Judgement) "MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL" <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Who amongst us is not familar with that famous line in Snow White, "mirror, mirror on the wall, whose the fairest of them all?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 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!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">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".</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> 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"!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wishing a non judgemental and joyful day to all! Marc :)</span>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-35244697332842600992011-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:002011-09-23T03:53:37.828-07:00GB-2 "Loyality" Thanks For Nothing (A lesson in loyalty)<div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“THANKS FOR NOTHING”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(A Lesson in Loyalty)</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> "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!"</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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.</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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" </span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">"Alex" I said with a sigh of relief, "you are the best friend that someone could have" I saias I placed my arm around</span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif";"> <span style="color: blue;">Alex..."I really owe you"...... </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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. </span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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?".......... <span style="font-size: large;">I was caught!</span> .... In shame and for Mercy I put my head down and put my best puppy dog eyes on...."yes Mom....we broke it". </span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> "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?</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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"</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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.</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> A <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loyal friendship is not one that is based on being grateful and thankful only <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as long as the "thanks" are being repaid.....</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1;">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!</span></div><div style="line-height: 19.2pt;"><br />
</div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-89224626797763048512011-09-03T20:33:00.000-07:002011-09-03T20:33:06.855-07:00GB2 : subject: Longing "Mountain Of Knowledge"<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><strong> </strong> <span style="color: #351c75;">Its a simple lifelong longing, my thirst for knowledge. I must be careful as it comes in many forms ... here is one example..</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Mountain Of Knowledge</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">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!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> “Please help us” they sobbed. I rubbed my eyes, for these damsels in distress were no ordinary damsels, they were Wisdom and Peace!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">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!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> How foolish to think that Wisdom and Peace would need me to rescue them!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">It was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a lesson well learned!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">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 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>despite the bumps and those "sprites" that inhabit it, each lesson learned bears the taste of fruit I so long for!</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Have an enlightened Week...towards the light......Marc :)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927428847402560.post-39504402003873782512011-08-26T21:26:00.000-07:002011-08-26T21:26:42.373-07:00GB-2 "Things That Grow Wild" I SHOT THE SHERIFF<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">I Shot The Sheriff </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"> 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!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>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!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">The Nature of the human spirit, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>defined by invisible borders, designed to be crossed, so we may all find our way home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;">Soulful Journeys, Marc </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>grains of sandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807955762578411774noreply@blogger.com4