Do You Want To Know A Secret? - GBE Subject - "Romance"

Do You Want To Know A Secret

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.

 

      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!

 

Many years ago.....

 

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.

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.

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.

We were seated in the back, I at one side, and her staring out the car window on the other side.

The song by the Beatles, Do You Want To Know A Secret? came on, over the radio

"You'll never know how much I really love you

you'll never know how much I really care.

Listen (do-wa-do) do you want to know a secret?

do you promise not to tell?

...........................................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......

my lips went in sync with the song....

"Ive known a secret for a week or two,

nobody knows just we too, listen

(do-wa-do)

I turned to face her.....and behold..she was facing me with a sweet smile and was singing...our eyes locked.....in unison

"do you want to know a secret

do you promise not to tell

I'm in love with you"......

.........it was followed with the softest yet most powerful kiss that I had ever come to known in my short life.....

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!

Sweet liberations to the hearts that silently wait....your turn will come! ....

Unbreakable Vows - (GBE #90- subject: Dream)

UNBREAKABLE VOWS

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!
   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!

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.

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".

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.

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.
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.
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?"
What I had forgotten in reality, I remembered in a dream!
Only in a dream can one be returned to place where all the broken promises are put back together to form an unbreakable vow.
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.

Sweet Dreams!   Marc :)

Fool On The Hill - GBE #89 (subject: Picture Prompt)

I could have been a Doctor and saved some lives
I could have been a Teacher and shaped some young minds
I could have been a carpenter, chef, author, or anyone who affect another persons world.

I chose the path less travelled.

I came here to see the majestic of  sunrises and sunsets.
Uninhibited views of starlight nights, and hear the completely unedited  sounds of nature.
To taste the unfiltered sweetness of the earth and suckle every scent from each breeze.

Indeed, to feel the love of the Creator and learn the true reason why we are here.

Years passed, and with each passing season, I could sense, I was closer to the truth.

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.

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.

As for you, please feel welcome to come anytime, there will always be two teacup settings at my table.

Day after day,
Alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still
But nobody wants to know him,
They can see that he's just a fool,
And he never gives an answer,

But the fool on the hill,
Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head,
See the world spinning 'round-   The Beatles

(GBE Subject: Music) - The Tune Of a Babys Toy

The Tune Of Babys Toy 

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.

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.

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!

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!

Listen to the tune of a childs toy.......its about as close to sound of heaven you will hear!

GBE #83 PRECISION vs. PERFECTION-( I still Pray)

Precision Vs. Perfection

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.

Many have asked the same question that was asked so many times before, "God what is your plan?"

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.
  
Just because we do not understand the language of our Creator, doesn't mean a plan doesn't exist.

So, what is the plan?

The answer is ( as it always is) right in front of us.
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)
 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!

  Precision is not perfection.

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 .

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.

Just in case the plan to strive for perfection would not work, we were blessed with HOPE.

Stick that in your iPhone!
meanwhile
I still pray...

GBE-2 Subject: My First Car- "CHE"

CHE"

…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.

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.

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!

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 “CHE” (Latin for “short and chubby”). Satisfied with our artwork we decided to give CHE a test ride.

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!"

The road of life……drive that car as far as you can!

GB-2 Subject - "Bedtime Story" - The Circle Game

The Circle Game

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.

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"....

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!

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"....

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.

I don't think I have known anything so eloquent as those moments.

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"

------------------------------------------------------

and the wheel spins round......

Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like, when youre older, must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and dawn
Were captive on the carousel of time
We cant return we con only look behind
From where we came
And go round and round and round, in the circle game.- Joni Mitchell

GBE #71 - RETROSPECT - "FIRST KISS"

GBE#71-  Subject: Retrospect  

      "FIRST KISS"

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!

...... 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)

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!

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?"

....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!

..

(GB#2- Subject- Mirror) "LOVELY & AMAZING"

Lovely and Amazing

Dedicated to women who look in the mirror and second guess what they see.

        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!

  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!

       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 :)

GB-2 (Subject "Do Over") "DO OVERS FOR DUMMIES

                                               Do Overs for Dummies

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".

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.

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.

  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.

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! 

And once elevated, the last thing that is needed is a "do over" unless of course, you're a dummie!  :)

Peace & Blessings~ Marc :)

GB-2 (Subject- Pet Peeve) "Hildas Bra"

 (Subject: Pet Peeve)    HILDAS BRA--- SELFISHNESS SPOILS LIFES PROTOCOL

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".

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!!!

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.

It is just this kind of love that is my peeve.

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!

I guess her husband always looked forward to that sweet and sour breast of chicken!

GBE- (Subject: History) Samson & Delilah

                                             SAMSON & DELILAH
Samson, the symbol of strength and courage. A model of muscle and strength that all men hope to obtain.

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.

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.

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!


I confess to having this inheritance!

Marc :)

GB2 (Subject: The Bucket List) The Bucket List

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Action synchronized with the heart.

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

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

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

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

                                HAPPINESS & LAUGHTER

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

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

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

Marc :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marc :) :) :)

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

The Shopping List

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

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

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

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

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

Peace & Blessings....Marc :)

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

"The Ugly Duckling -Revisited"

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

 Schoolyard conversations were migrating from who was the best ballplayer of the day to who was the prettiest girl in the school. In our school, there was no debate who the ugliest girl was. There was no one even comparable to poor “Miss M”. I even believe that “Miss M” knew that she could win that title. It was sad, and I often wondered why and how God could place a person in such a lowly position.

“Miss M” had a very light complexion that was sprinkled with thousands of red and pink freckles. We marveled at the quantity and the different shapes that had camped out on her face! Her hair was a short growth of frizz, and was a fiery orange…which of course brought out the freckle syndrome. She was topped off with a very large nose …which brings us to the opening act of this recollection.

During lunch break we would eat lunch in the schoolyard and the guys would go off and flip baseball cards, play a quick game of “flip the penny” or try to elevate their stature with intelligent conversation. Intelligence at the seventh grade level is measured by how gross a statement or insult you can make! I recall a few of those conversations regarding “Miss M”. “I swear I saw her pull a booger out of her nose that was as big as my thumb!” said one of the guys. "Yeah,, I heard that she sneezd last week and a cat came out!"   I confess, there were times I chuckled at the insane remarks, but deep in my heart, I always felt sympathetic towards the day to day plight she lived.

I am not certain of the event, but I do remember returning to class after lunch and happened to look over to “Miss M” who sat a row away from me and few seats back. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she was clasping a tissue. She had been crying and was trying to hold back her tears. “Oh no” I said to myself, she must have heard the remarks that the guys were making about her. It’s funny how insults always traveled faster than the answers to Miss Goldberg’s math quiz.

The next day I told the guys that “Miss M” spent the afternoon crying, and asked if any of the insults were spread about. The guys seized the moment to turn on me, “oh so you like “Miss M”? They laughed. I defended my statement, “it’s not right, she knows she’s far from pretty, we shouldn’t get our laughs by rubbing it in her face!” I exclaimed. I startled myself; it was the first time I was sticking up for someone other than myself!

In a world where everything is “just and fair” these boys would have woke up the day with foot long noses and potatoes growing from their ears, but no, I arrived at school the next morning to find a huge, chalk drawn, heart shape with both my name and hers in it! The guys laughed, “She’s all yours”.

The chalk drawn heart had a very short life span. As we exited the school that afternoon, we were surrounded by Dominic and his gang. Dominic was the “Soprano” of the school.

The gang cornered my friends, Dominic got very close in their faces. “If you knuckle heads ever draw anything on a wall where my name is on it, I’ll bounce your heads on the ground like a Spaulding ball! His entourage removed erasers from their back pockets and threw them at us. “Get this off the wall NOW” he demanded! My friends raised their bowed heads to notice that the heart with my name and “Miss M” was on the same wall as “Dominic & Anita 4 eva”. Dominic turned and looked at me, “and you….you get some taste”. Little did he know, I had a slight crush on Anita and she always had a smile for me.

The years passed. We all moved up, grade by grade. Fortunately, that period of insults was replaced by greater conversations, “which girls were the bad ones”, and “who I’d like to spend the night with”. Nobody even cared who the best ballplayer of the day was!

Enter “The Summer Of Love, 1967” . Like a wave, it covered and transformed each and every one of us. Our hair expanded on top of our heads like yeast filled bread. Our dungarees were bell bottomed, our shirts tie-died, our language transformed with words of “groovy, peace brother, and dig it.” We all returned to school and could barely recognize each other (except me, who still dressed as if he were an ivy leaguer). However, the biggest transformation was “Miss M”. Her bright orange hair, now fully grown into a very hip perm. Her heart shaped, oversized sun glasses fit nicely on her nose,(they dwarfed it!) and the freckles were now a unique accoutrement to the large plastic “peace sign” earrings that dangled from her ears. She walked down the halls with confidence; she was now flaunting her uniqueness! She was on all accounts, “groovy”!

During that time we rarely spoke, but always acknowledged each other with a smile. I would get a chuckle when I would hear a guy mention her name with a desire of getting to know “the cute chick with the wild orange hair”.

I have often wondered about her transformation. Was this an answer to a mother’s prayer? Was Miss M’s” transformation a result of a friend taking her out for a makeover? Or, was this part of Gods plan, The Summer of Love, ushering us through a portal where we came out more loving, more compassionate and wearing flowers in our hair?

A girl, plagued at a tender age, having to carry an unbearable weight. Then being transformed so dramatically where her appearance and personality could take someone’s breath away! Imagine, one tiny insignificant person merging onto the highway of self confidence and self esteem…..flaming orange hair and all!

….To those that may be discontent with their appearance, feel like they are in a ugly relationship, or if they feel like they are facing life in the wrong direction, just remember, there is a highway up ahead ….merge on!

Hope always has a free ride!

Soulful Journies!  Marc :)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make You Feel My Love

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

                                   The Babys Room

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peace and Blessings.....Marc :)

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

                   The  Meditation     My friend told me about the amazing day he had in Key West. He paid a visit to a meditition teacher who resided in a small house off the beach. The teachers ' house had the most spectactular  view of the ocean and the infamous "Key West Sunset!" I asked my friend to allow me to join him on his next vist.
     That day came, and we arrived at the teachers house in the mid afternoon. While he greeted us warmly, I could not help but being overcome with a  feeling of disappointment when noticing that all the shades in house had been drawn down.
I spent my first moments debating with myself if I should ask him why he closes off his house to a breathtaking view of the ocean!
    The meditation teacher was a marvelous host, engaging us in a lively conversation and then serving us some delightful green jasmine tea.
    Every few moments, my mind would wander to the fact that I had not yet seen the spectacular view of the ocean. As I sat in a chair in the dark room I could hear the gentle rolling waves of the ocean teasing me.
   It was now past eight o clock, I knew the sun was about to reach the shoreline, I began to stir. The meditation teacher annouced it was now time to perform our meditation. "This will be impossible" I said to myself as I could not get over the fact he witheld us from a breathtaking view.
    He led us into a room that only had mats on the floor and shades on the walls, which were rolled down."Get into position" he gently commanded. I squatted down, folded my legs, outstreched my hands. "Take a deep breath...and hold it" he instructed.
Just as I filled my  lungs with a deep breath,I noticed this very fine beacon of liight streaming right in my eye! Directly ahead of me was a small separation in the windowshade, there was a tear in it! I could see the sun taking its bow into the horizon. I could make out its magnificant reflection across the flattened ocean! Through this tiny opening, firey hues of orange and purple came pouring in.
   There I was, filled with this one breath, and in a direct view of this intense stream of pure beauty. I was alone with this one lost ray of light.
  Suddenly, I felt connected to something far greater than anything here on earth. I could feel my connection to the universe! And this connection was sustained by this one breath I was holding.
In a flash of second, I realized that just as this sun lights up and nourishes this world, I too am given a very similar power. Just as the sun transfers its light to me, I can transfer light to my world! I too just need to find an openeing, a "crack in shade."
    I  mused  about the  beauty that lies within nature, it resonates too sharply to be random or accidental. Light and darkness....life and death ...are both given great distances between them, but the line they cross from one realm to another, is so very fine, and unavoidable.
   We must make the most of who we are, inbetween those lines, and with each breath!
   I wish for you to be able to have that moment when you can see through the crack in the shade.
  Peace~~~   Marc :)