OMNI'S TWINS

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Hello World,

It is November 11, 2011 and 11:11am.

Be Well Basking In The Light!!!!

It’s a Wonderful Life

2011-02-11T21:16:00.000-05:00

Reprinted from:

Stewardship Corner Newsletter

January 2011

I suspect and would hope that everyone reading this article has seen, or knows about, the movie by the title listed above. Frank Capra’s 1946 movie, starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed is much more popular today than it was back then, and has become a Christmas season favorite.

If you are familiar with the film, you know about the main character, George Bailey, who goes through his life with great personal goals and aspirations, only to have them constantly thwarted when he is faced with a choice of self, over doing the right thing. George consistently does the right thing and is terribly frustrated to the point he does not see the effect his life has had on so many. The movie really asks us to define what a wonderful life is, and asks us to answer the question of whether an unselfish life can be a wonderful life. The answer is obviously “yes”, but getting to yes is not necessarily easy.

I think all of us can point to times in our lives, or even phases in our lives, where we faced the dilemma of self versus right. And, of course, there are degrees, subtleties and extremes in every example. Some examples of self versus right are simple, such as giving pennies for pencils to assist children in learning in some far off nation. Some are subtle, such as avoiding a product that hurts the environment. Others are more difficult, such as voting against one’s self interest in an election for the sake of the greater good of society. And still other choices are life choices, such as always putting others before yourself in whatever you do.

The latter example is the most difficult by far. Where do we draw the line between giving and losing out because we’ve given so much? I think the answer to that question lies in being able to see the gifts we have already been given, rather than looking at the cost of it.

In the movie, George Bailey is faced with losing everything and is standing on a bridge looking down at a raging river, struggling with what his next move will be. He considers that things would have been better if he’d never been born and is given an opportunity to see exactly what that would have been. He comes to realize that the choices he made in his life gave so much to so many, and that his unselfish giving was a gift unto itself.

There is an obvious Stewardship message here - Stewardship Chair

Again thank you L.S for your insight and sense of community, we all can learn to appreciate the good times and the bad. Life, with all it's complexities is always worth the roller coaster ride.

Photo Credit: Shannon Pifko

A Leaf Falls From the Family Tree

2011-02-11T20:44:00.000-05:00

When a young person dies suddenly or from unexpected illness, an entire branch of their family tree is devastated. As with an actual tree, the remaining branches try to fill in and bring about recovery, but it is not an easy thing for anyone in that family.

When an older person dies, it is not that it is easier to accept, it is just a more natural process. That person represents a leaf on a great tree; a leaf of status or one of the upper leaves. When that leaf falls from the tree there is a natural filling in by another such upper leaf.

That older person’s life mirrors the life of that older leaf. It to, was once just a budding leaf, blooming forth to take its place on the great family tree. Hopefully, that person had the chance to grow strong and green, weathering many storms and changes of season. Hopefully that person took his or her place among the higher leaves protecting the greater tree and the lower, younger leaves with its shade.

As time passed, hopefully that person had the chance to show his or her brilliant colors as a leaf does in the fall. And, hopefully, in the end, all the rest of the members of the family tree recognized that life for what it was and what it meant to them.

Lastly, one would hope that someone walking past that family tree would notice the beautiful fallen leaf, pick it up and wonder what kind of life it may have had.

My Note:

Thank you L.S. for writing this, I really miss my Grandfather.

Photo Credit: Michaela Kobyakov

The Truth

2010-06-03T19:20:00.000-04:00

The “truth” is within us all. For some I need go no further. They know and understand what that short sentence means. For others, they know but choose to ignore, placing themselves first in all things. And for still others, they need to be shown the way.

The truth in not just one thing, it is an approach to life in a universe of truths and consequences. The truth is not what one religion or another says it is exclusive of all others, but rather it is the common theme of all faiths melded into that approach to life.

The truth is made up of much more than a few tangible ingredients, and for each living soul, there are different recipes. It is whatever gets each of us closer to whatever our idea of God is. And, even at that, those who don’t believe in a particular God, believe in something and are not necessarily excluded from knowing the truth.

The truth is derived from every person in our family, our heritage, our community, our common experiences, our differences, and on and on. The truth is derived from every person we’ve ever met, from every place we’ve ever been, from every thing we’ve ever read or written, from every joy and every sorrow, from the good and the bad in life and from the depths of our souls.

The truth is what we take from all its derivation and how we interact with our fellow human beings and the universe at large. It is compassion, love, understanding, charity, grace, sacrifice, atonement, respect, forgiveness, equality and justice.

And, of course, the truth is much more than all of this, and much more than any of us can comprehend individually; but seeking it and hopefully finding it should be a common goal for all of us.

L.S.

For an interesting read check out: Many Faiths, One Truth (NYTimes article 5/25/10)

Words and Books

2010-05-07T20:27:00.000-04:00

By Luke Sherlock

Are they just words on a piece of paper bound together forever? Maybe, or maybe not. I had a dream on the matter. Here's a recount.

Last night, I dreamt that I answered a work related e-mail on my blackberry and started a chain of events which took us back to the simplistic days of pen and paper.

For some reason, when I tried to respond to an e-mail for a major office related issue or another concerning a large account, my response kept repeating over and over again. It filled up the mail boxes on the system of everyone at the office. The problem kept spreading to cell phones, servers, and all manner of electrical communication device; even land lines. Soon, it was affecting the phones and computers at the competition and in the local community. It just kept spreading and spreading. Eventually, it was as if the entire world was transported back in time to the days before even the telegraph. Radio and television were also rendered useless. The only way to communicate was by written word.

I kept feeling as if I had done something terrible, but at the same time this sense of calm covered me as if the furry of “need it now” was passing into history. As great as it had been to have instantaneous information, there was a certain relief in knowing that words; especially well written and thought out words, would once again dictate and control the future of communication.

Knowing it was not true upon awakening, I still got the affirming sense that writing is very important for sharing experiences, feelings, humor, love, kindness, wisdom, respect and admiration, and so much more. The written word slows down and concentrates the thought process, it allows for imagination, it provides reference and permanence, and it speaks clearly.

For me, the more I write, the more I find myself wanting to write. Perhaps the symbolism of the dream is that if it all goes to hell tomorrow we will still have words to keep us going.

I truly hope so…

Ad Infinitum

2010-04-04T16:10:00.001-04:00

∞

Ad Infinitum: meaning to infinity; without or seemingly without limit

The month of March was the month of serious symbolism for me. I kept getting references to the infinity symbol and the snake, both of which represent the most of the same qualities in symbolism. Circles, Eights, Zeros, you name it it appeared. But towards the end of the month the infinity symbol outraced all of them and popped up the most.

The message I took from it:

Self Reflection
Cyclicality
Rebirth
Shedding Old Skin/Habits
Karma
Renewal
Lasting Decisions
Eternal Return
Infancy/Pre-Ego
Constant Recreation
Unity
Phoenix Rising
Alchemy and Transmutation
Stages: Corruption/Purification/Enlightenment/Unification of Man & God
Finally getting "IT"
Serenity

The journey has begun again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros

http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/25/251.html

http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/26/2634.html

How $1.00 buys Love

2010-03-28T23:13:00.002-04:00

I love wafers, oh not just any wafers but chocolate wafers. I really do - to the point of - if it's not a good brand, I chuck the whole lot in the bin, and look for a more satisfactory one. Wasteful you think? Not to worry, rarely there is a brand that does come through, and usually the culprit is 'sugar'. I once went to seven stores looking for chocolate wafers and to my dismay they had all flavors but the one I wanted. I guess it is very popular.

Wafers come in different shapes and sizes like the one shown here, but they are also round and imprinted with intricate patterns or straw-like and commonly nestled in ice cream. I tried to do some research and it seems this treat only goes back to the 50's. I suspect, however, they may have been around much longer. Will find out and get back.

I sat this weekend with a very large package of chocolate wafers, enjoying every mouthful. Dust and crumbs falling on my clothes like sand blowing in the wind. A thought pops into my head. "You really love wafers!" "You love all things chocolate but you really love wafers. Of course, it hits me then like a ton of bricks (except no pain). I love wafers because they remind me of my Mum.

Although, it was not the best time in our lives, I remember it fondly. We were fairly poor just making ends meet and never any money for frivolous things. But every time we went for a walk, Mummy would always have a dollar for my brother and I to buy something. We always came away with the 2 for $1.00 chocolate wafers buy. One for him and one for me. Our bills were paid, we had a roof, we were clean and well fed. But that dollar would miraculously come from no where and the smiles were ear to ear. Of course we would cherish the package carefully deciding how many to eat so it would last as long as possible. The other trick was keeping it fresh.

I think most folks would decide to never put another chocolate wafer near their lips, but I consider every experience whether good or bad at the time has some meaning for our lives. We were grateful for the treat, knowing that the trend would probably not last that long and that one day we would buy all the wafers we wanted. Maybe we would be able to buy anything we wanted. I am still not outrageously rich, but spiritually I have come to respect the power of money. My kids don't want for anything, but it may caused them not to understand the value of a dollar. Hopefully, I can teach them to understand the gifts we receive on a daily basis create more riches and abundance than any amount of cash ever could.

Be happy in your heart and all else will follow.

What is Heaven but a Dream?

2010-03-24T13:02:00.000-04:00

What is Heaven, if not a Dream in our minds. What if we found out that it is exactly what our ideal of an Earthly Heaven is? What if we never know? What is Heaven on Earth to you?

I am a dreamer, not just day dreams but night time too. You may think as you read this, when does this person sleep? But I do eventually and boy am I a brand new person in the morning. Some people call it traveling and quite frankly, it is just as tiring. But I logged on to write about a dream I had. I have not been sharing them lately, because honestly, I venture to places I do not understand and the messages are incredibly cryptic.

Onto the dream: I am a passenger in a car I do not own. It is also a bit old, maybe a Chevy or Oldsmobile - Pea Green in color. There are four of us. My mother is driving and I am in the backseat (is some else in control of my life, GOD?/Is it time to die?) There is a young man in the backseat with me. He is nice kinda of shy and talks non stop. He likes to kiss everyone but makes sucking noises when he does. He exudes love.

We drive and drive and the road is long. After a night journey, we arrive at the hotel. I still don't know where we are and my Mother tries to get into the parking lot, the ocean is nearby, I can see it behind the hotel and I realize the we are going to be staying here. I still have no idea who the person in the front seat is. My friend in the backseat is explaining that he is impotent. This is important how we have to find parking - hello. Then it hit me, I look down and he is without gender. Androgyny extreme?

There is no room in this garage or underground lot, so we go back out side. The sandy road winds upward, we trek on, this time on foot to see if someone can help us. At the top, We stick our heads in and out of doors trying to find somone to help. A lady down on the veranda waves and from the distance she reminds me of Brook Shields. She tells me to check the garage 2, it should have space. I stick my head in through the door and see an open area devoid of cars, beautiful huge room and along the walls are pillars and the floor is cover in terracotta colored marble. Ooo jackppot I think, we can park here before the rush. I pull my head out and close the door. Turning to tell my roadtrip buddies that I found a space and we have to go around to access it, I noticed that they are not there and a really long line of talkative folks has formed. Everyone is dressed in Khaki shorts and floral shirts or hats and sunglasses etc - ready for the beach.

The line winds back down the sandy slope which incidentally now has additional wood beams to act as steps. I follow it to the end. I am alone again and wake myself up. I am thinking to myself, you are safe you even though going down usually means exactly that. Now I start to talk to myself. That old saying of when you dream dead relatives and they ask you to go somewhere with them never go. But I was already in the car I am thinking. Maybe it isn't my time.

I woke up - thinking, were you really traveling with your Mother, since she passed away 22 years ago? Who were those people in the car?Why did I feel so at ease. The answers may never been known, but I felt like I was in the barreness of abundance, it was Heavenlike to me.

See ya soon,
your travel buddy

ps: As I wrote this, I happen to look at the clock; it said 12:34 pm and as an aside, I love the Beach.

Photo shot of :
http://www.pillarshotel.com/

Oh Daddy O

2010-03-12T22:43:00.001-05:00

Life Wasted
by Epiphany

Somehow I miss my dad.
The one I never had.
A picture perfect in every way.
I got to meet for just one day.

He was critical and I sunk.
No only did he not like my hunk
He was not sorry nor was he glad
He life was nothing, it made me sad.

I wondered what it was like to be him
Tall, lanky and you know quite slim
Handsome physique and in face
Broad shoulders, high cheekbones, full of grace.

I love him and he loves me
what happened, a mystery
always his favorite, but not at all
I guess that's hard when you're not involved.

She kept him away, within white walls
for his own protection and for all
His suffering to end, lonely and cold
His life no picnic, and with his death cards fold.

I have been thinking of my Dad lately and seeing constant reminders to write about him. The words in my head refuse the keyboard. I start here.

"Eleuthera" means Free

2010-03-05T12:58:00.001-05:00

Eleuthera is one of those stunningly beautiful islands in the Bahamas chain, at least in my opinion. I used to live there for about seven years and grew to love it as if my navel string was buried there. I am sure other folks who have visited the West Indies and Caribbean would disagree but I still wouldn't trade it in for the world. Although, I didn't live on the part of the island that is famous for it's pink sandy beaches, I did however live right on the beach. The picture to the right was my front yard.

I bring this up because of a recent dream I had. In the dream I am visiting one of the sites where I once worked as Assistant Operations Manager, and everyone there was welcoming but not. I have thought over the years that perhaps I should have taken the Operations Manager job and raisied the beautiful baby I had nutured for so long; raising him through expansion after expansion. But alas, I thought my time had come to move on and am only regretful of one thing - that is not buying property - well that could be rememdied later. Anyway, back to the dream, I got the feeling that everyone had moved on and so should I. There were no turned backs or mean words in the dream, just folks at peace with the situation. I used to pine heavily that the people who counted on us to keep them employed were angry and disappointed, I suppose after almost thirteen years, it is time to let go and I am free, so to speak.

I am going to miss you Eleuthera. I have many fond memories there and have made so many more important memories now that it seems we all have changed in a positive and progressive way. I am writing this as the chapter finally closes.

The Island portion of the company consisted of the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Cays

http://www.capeeleuthera.com/

http://capeeleuthera.org/

http://www.islandschool.org/index.html

Check Out:

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0057%3Aentry%3D%2333619&redirect=true

Hi my name is Alice, what's yours?

2010-02-21T22:37:00.000-05:00

"Alice", I sometimes call myself, "what do you think of the world today?" "Not very much" my reflection would say - and off we would happily and sometimes not so happily go on trying to make it through another day wondering on land.

Sounds like we are both tired of the hum drum of our everyday existence and then we remember that we are alive and healthy. For that we are both sincerely grateful. I have identified with Alice for many years. I felt that we (mankind) were all just like the little girl who fell down the rabbit hole and met up with all kinds of interesting characters along the way of finding our way home. But where is home, isn't it right here, where ever you are? Isn't it underneath our nose? Poor Alice, and poor me, our adventures made us frustrated, because like her, we wanted everything to work out in the end.

Can anyone really say why we should have such trouble, confusion, mayhem and the like in our everyday lives to the point where even our reflection has given up. Do we just not understand the big picture. Do we not remember why we are here, why the Creator has given us the opportunity for so much light. I hope that while reading this you remember not to resign yourself to think that we will go through life scratching at the surface of things. Even if it is in our nature to do so. We are after all very much like Alice in the rabbit hole trying to get through the day and make it home safely. Don't be depressed you are not alone. But...

What we do on a daily basis is important. It is important to live, to laugh, to have tea, to wonder about meaningful things and to fill the world with much joy and love. We have to enjoy it no matter what, we have to dance because we can. Hopefully this little reminder with allow you, me and all of us to shake off Alice, stand in gratitude and bring humanity back to that real place, the source - the Center of it all.

The Six Word Memoir

2010-01-15T06:58:00.007-05:00

Letter E

I fancied myself a lot of things but having or trying to put my life in a six word memoir was hard. That was homework from my writing club "The Healing Pen" last week. Here it is:

Energetic

Exceptional

Earnest

Enigmatic

Eccentric

Experienced

Somehow, I had a thing for E - the fifth letter, so I continued...

Excited

Enthusiastic

Enchanting

Efficient

Eclectic

Enlightened

Evolved

more to come...

The Oxygen Tank

2009-08-15T21:47:00.020-04:00

Part One

By Epiphany

I wish I could say that this blog entry is about diving and feeling that wonderful emotion of freedom you get while swimming deep under the sea. It isn't. It is actually about a much deeper subject. One of great sadness and love, of pain and of loss.

My story begins today at a friend's co-op BBQ. It was loads of fun and I didn't feel so bad about crashing it after a couple of drinks of soda that is. Laughing and chasing the children around, I fell into my chair out of breath and noticed something odd. There was a lady sitting across the courtyard with a wide brim hat and sunglasses that seemed to wrap around her face. I thought this was such a strange look for a lady of her maturity, so I squinted and blinked repeatedly to get a closer look. I then realized she was not wearing wrap around sunglasses but regular glasses and a tube in her nose. Disbelieving my eyes, I immediately looked to the ground below her. It was there, the dreaded oxygen tank, sitting inconspicuously on the floor.

I was immediately taken back to the year 1986. Transported to a time in which I have spent many years trying to forget. Like a bad movie, I forgot my lines and couldn't even hear the people around me; 1986 was the year my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors felt that they had caught it in time. But, my mother, a hard working, sweet lady and a by the way, a smoker was told she had to have surgery - Yes the dreaded mastectomy. Little did I know, she knew the year before that something was not right, but refused to give it any credit.

I did my very best to help. I had to grow up fast and make sure she was comfortable. It was my last year in school and even though my straight A's went downhill, my thoughts revolved around that nasty little nightmare called Cancer. I got a job, which barely paid for anything and took care of my little brother. He was always fed, clothed and made it to school on time, everyday.

My grandmother came one month before commencements and thank goodness because I really didn't want to repeat the 12th grade. She was able to help me greatly and I felt like a teenager again, at least for a couple of hours. We celebrated my graduation and then the dreaded day came. One of the breast had to go and the left one was our big winner.

I didn't understand then what it meant to lose a part of your body, especially a breast. I was not that attached to mine at the time. For a woman it is like losing your femininity and it must have been a tough decision for my mum to go through with that surgery. Accordingly, she put on a brave face and went all the way. I waited home impatiently of course, comforting my brother and faking a smile. I am not sure he really understood and I was not about to explain it. The day dragged on and on forever and then by midday my grandmother finally called with good news.

Mummy returned home and we handled her with kid gloves. My brother and I tip-toed around and were the quietest we ever were in our lives. Recovery would take some time and we had to have patience. As I found out later, the doctors removed the left breast and a few lymph nodes. These nodes were tested and the results came back as benign. We were all happy and we finally felt at ease, but it was not to last for very long.

to be continued.

The 88's

2009-08-02T19:43:00.004-04:00

by Epiphany

beauty

on it's side

mirrored

neutral

in love

no gray areas

either

neither

a paradox

rebirth

infinity

twice

The Museum Pau Wau

2009-08-02T18:12:00.010-04:00

By Epiphany

I spent the other day at the American Museum of Natural History. I went to the space show in the rose center (felt at home really) and then walked every floor from top to bottom. The Dinosaurs were awe inspiring and some of the exhibits were so realistic that I felt I could step into the landscape and be transported to another time. It was also an exhausting day because my rumbustious four year old had the energy of ten children and I had the nerve to tote around my 13 pound newborn close to my heart in the carrier. What was I thinking?

As the day came to a close we headed to the museum shop to look for butterflies. My daughter a social butterfly herself had to have every book on the subject. As we wandered into the store, I couldn't see anything for children and watched my daughter's every move nervously. We stopped at the Native American display, which housed the flutes, drums and rattles and these beautiful dolls. Then I suddenly realized there was a woman in front of me, beating a drum and singing. She rhythmically hit the drum and sang the "ya", "hey" and "loi" - all familiar sounds of the pow wow.

I would never have pegged her to be an American Indian, but she was. Her flaming red hair although short, peeped out from under a distressed cowboy hat made of straw. Dressed in jeans and t-shirt, and beautiful silver jewellery, she leaned on a walker. As her song concluded, I thanked her and complimented her singing. She proceeded to explain that she was from Arizona and Cherokee and her wish would be for more people to respect Mother Earth. She was always telling her grandkids that. (She didn't look old enough to be a grandma, but who am I to judge.) Anyway, she explained about the instruments in front of me and how we have to respect the drum, etc. I was semi-mesmerized not because I wasn't interested, I was, but I was also extremely tired.

I stood there holding my child's hand, while the other dangled. The nice lady, (wish I had asked her name) continued. She said, "don't let the walker fool you. When the drums and singing starts and the music gets in your bones, the pain leaves my body!" She then unfolded her shawl and draped it around her, dancing, singing and moving to the sounds of her ancestors. She waved the shawl as if her fellow dancers were next to her in the pow wow ring, moving it from arm to arm and and explaining the moves as it seamlessly floated back into place. I didn't know what to say. I could not even remember to mention my good friend, who is Choctaw and the many pow wows that I have attended.

Anyway, she waved the rattle around my body and talked about why it is done, she wished me well, good health, respect, family, love and all that Mother Earth can provide, she hoped that the great Spirit would bless me and my family and smiled and pushed along in her walker to do some shopping.

I was embarrassed, enthralled and mystified. I forgot how to speak and ask questions in my usual nosey way. I just wished her well, and smiled a weak smile. I was too tired to even realize that I had just had a wonderful encounter. All the way home, I was reminded that you do have to have respect, for all things and people. There is just no other way to live.

I thanked the great Creator for the enriching experience when I thought about it the next day.

Note:
If you get a chance, check out your local pow wows. We have two big ones in NYC every year and a few smaller ones, so I am sure you can find one to attend in your area. The music really does get into your bones.

The Brown Sheep in the Family

2009-07-17T00:07:00.011-04:00

by Epiphany

I know, I know - it's always the black sheep but not this time. That title was taken by one of my uncles whom to this day still thinks his family hates him. So, I am going with brown. I am always the odd person out in a room. That's me, in the picture to the right, yeah the brown one. The same difference that made me special also made me stick out.

It started years ago with my birth - surprise surprise. When I was young and lived with my mother's family, it was not hard to see the difference. I was the product of a mixed marriage and noticeably so. I had curly hair where as every one's was straight. I was treated as if I was the favorite and in that bore the brunt of every nightmare imaginable in order to fit into a mold high on a pedestal that no one could reach.

We moved back to the country of my birth, where I thought things would be better. Instead I stuck out again. Most people labeled me a foreigner, because I didn't look enough like my countryman to have been born there. We moved again this time to a neutral place with no family. There I spoke with an accent that folks thought was cute. Singled out once more I decided never to speak until I assimilated.

When we traveled to yet another new residence. I found there were more people with curly hair. Ah ha I thought, peace at last. But it wouldn't last, my hair wasn't curly enough to fit in. The amount of threats to set my hair on fire were enormous and by the time I was sixteen I made a decision to cut it all off.

I eventually grew up and started working. I found comfort in my difference, even tried out for modeling. Unfortunately, I was neither black enough nor was I exotic enough...starting to see the trend? I joined corporate America and was the only one in the building of my heritage, color, race...whatever you would like to call it. I don't believe it was on purpose, just there weren't too many people that look like me living in that small town.

How hard could it be to fit into one of the many labels that people dish out? I thought that it was easy, but all I found was unhappiness with myself and a lack of fulfillment. As I gained the wisdom necessary to travel through life on a bigger and better rainbow, I chose to settle in the most diverse city I could find. It actually worked. I felt at home at last and you know what, I was able to be me and finally celebrate my uniqueness that was funny enough - now the norm.

Passion of a Changed Mind

2009-07-12T00:43:00.011-04:00

A mish-mosh of ramblings and questions on change.

by Epiphany

I seem to relate everything in my life to a movie these days as well as my incredibly fascinating dreams. I guess the reverse would be how a movie is made; but I kept thinking - could our everyday mundane existence truly be worthy of box office stats? In the movie Passion of Mind, Demi Moore plays a character whose life and dreams collide leaving her desperate to figure out which is real and which is not. Eventually and with great advice, she decides she has to let one of the lives go and it turns out to be the right one. She survives and in letting go - changes or better yet - evolves.

I bring this up because lately every newsletter and magazine article I read seems to be about change. Coincidentally, I had just decided that at this juncture in my life, I was cutting off my hair and starting anew - changing my life one short strand at a time. One night a friend called and commanded me to put on one of those reality show about dancing. She says you have to see the host - she reminds me of you. Everything about her is just like you. I watched. She was a good television host and very funny too. People liked her. Then, I thought to myself, well if this is how people see me, then, why should I change. Maybe I should be hosting a tv program (smile).

Then a funny thing happened to me the next day. I got an email from someone soliciting my services as a publicist. Turns out they had the wrong person because we have the same name. I started to think of Demi Moore's role as Marty and her psychological attempt to put the past where it belongs. She didn't realize until the end that there was a past to put to rest because for her, both lives were real and confusing. Is this how life could be? Where we truly lived everyday as we are suppose to. Could we function? Or is it human nature to want what we think we need or don't have? Lets think about it.

I think it would be cool if these people were really me - on a parallel plane. Just think, you have a number of lives all happening at the same time. One day a TV host, the next day a mom, the next a high powered attorney. All with different circumstances and you could walk from one into another and experience any and everything. That's a form of change I suppose.

What about that character Marty? Could we evolve like she did. One day, you woke up to your kids screaming for breakfast, while your spouse went to work. A wonderful life none the less but one you decided was better for the family's sake. While you slept, you alter ego lived life in the fast lane; a jet set existence only a minuscule amount of the population enjoys. Would you say then, that you were living life to the fullest. Tiring as they both sound, I do wonder how long our Psyche would manage with such load.

Anyway back to change. I wonder if changing my hair or my wardrobe would make that big of a difference. I am who I am and deep down, I am probably just bored. Oh sure a new look is refreshing and can give you new perspective, but let's face it - I could dress like a jet setter, but it won't necessarily make me one and I could borrow my nieces and nephews, but it would not make me a mom. Some say we keep coming back to this earth, to learn, evolve and move into a higher conscientiousness, but I think even with multiple reincarnations aren't we deep down who we are.

So I have decided not to cut my hair but to change my mantra to:

"Take me as I am, cause that's all there is!!"

12:34:56 7/8/09

2009-07-08T17:10:00.002-04:00

Welcome new century!!

2009-07-04T18:35:00.015-04:00

Another Facebook quiz into my innermost inner - most....my result:

Mental Stimulation

You're smartest when it comes to social intelligence, you've got people smarts! Social intelligence refers to the ability to read other people and react appropriately. As a result, you probably have a pretty keen sense of others' motivations most of the time. It's likely that you can also spot the difference between what people say and what they really mean. This understanding of behavior and human nature can help you go far. After all, it's been said that it's not what you know, but who you know that counts. And you have a way with people. Your social intelligence may manifest as having the gift for gab, being a top-notch net worker, or an excellent listener and friend. However you put this intelligence to work, you're sure to be admired for an abundance of social know-how.

Well Epiphany can truly say she is hooked on those silly Facebook quizzes. Even if only having a moment of Facebook time, one must see a friend's quiz result on their wall and wonder what their result would be, hence I keep doing them. Anyway, the result above again was not what I was expecting. (What am I really expecting?) Seriously, the real question is - are any of these results a true perception of who the individual is underneath all the many layers of ego and societal brainwashing. I would like to think that the person above has had a 'complete life', with being able to manipulate and control others but, I would surmise that they are pretty lonely.

If you have ever seen the television program called "Lie to Me", where the main character Dr. Lightman runs a company of specialists whom can spot liars immediately by reading their body language and facial reactions. But at the core of the story are two other underlying stories/issues. One story is about the main character's inability to get over losing his wife and blaming himself, the other is about one of the other specialists and her husband's infidelity. Obviously, these two are very lonely and not using their unique mental acuities.

So why is it that we may know better or how to influence others, at least recognizing certain weaknesses to have the upper hand, but we do not use them to our advantage. Would it be wrong to utilize such a great talent or would the higher powers remind us about "what goes around...". I suppose that influencing others for gain and continuously using them is wrong to a degree but don't we learn as children how to get things out of our parents, how to work the system to our advantage. I do believe that we would all like to think that we do not use manipulation in some form in our every day lives. (I said that immediately, who me ...never!) But if is it done subtly it would not be called coercion but gently persuasion which is a part of life. I started to think about myself and where I was in life. I started to pay attention to how I deal with people. What did I find? Well indeed there are a host of Psychological hoohah that makes the world turn and yes no matter what the result of my quiz said we all seem to fill that need of mental stimulation, albeit some will need to do it more than others. This is what separates the bad people from the very bad people to the people just wanting to get by.

I know you are thinking "the quiz result said you are a networker, a good listener, etc", but I chose to look at the other side of this talent. Do you use bribery, guilt or fancy chit chat to get things your way? Think about it the next time you want something really bad.

Knowing Things

2009-06-30T09:36:00.013-04:00

by Epiphany

Knowing Things and Free Will

If you knew what the future held, would you change it - if it was bad - or would you let it ride...?

A plane crash in Comoros kills 153, a freight train derails in Italy killing 13 and injuring 50, earlier this month the same thing happened, a plane crash into the Atlantic Ocean killing..., shooting of 7 Detroit students..., a bird strike brings down another flight... Swine Flu kills...

Nuclear threats, natural disasters, machine malfunctions, and epidemics seem to consume the headlines lately. Some people would argue that because we communicate faster and have become a smaller community globally that we hear of disasters, etc faster than many years ago. Hence these episodes have occurred for centuries but went unreported. I guess that is one way of looking at it. Though most folks look at these as signs of the end of the world.

Is mankind actually causing these incidents with technology and selfishness. There are many television programs that broach the subject of ‘what the earth would look like after people have gone’ or ‘Armageddon’ or ‘living a green life, less we destroy ourselves’. But even if we knew exactly how our lives and the world around us will turn out in 50 years, would we make a change for the better?

I recently watched the movie “Knowing” (which got terrible reviews by the way, but had a thought provoking concept). Nicholas Cage was intense, so much so that I wondered how it paralleled with his life currently. I might just be over thinking it, but the movie brought about numerous questions. Should I be worried about the disasters in the news around the world - is it the last days? How can we change the future and save the Earth from destruction? Save ourselves?Maybe that Nick Cage is just a good actor, but I do wonder if those situations in the movie were true, what would I do.

Well we all know the world is not fine, in fact it is seriously wounded on many levels. Like having surgery and waiting for the many layers to heal. Should we consult the Psychic Twins, the ramblings of Edward Cayce (sometimes dubbed the other Nostradamus) or even the next Nostradamus from NYU and Stanford, Dr. Bueno de Mesquita for answers. Maybe we could hold seances and contact our relatives long passed to grant us a little bit of reassurance. Sounds exciting enough, but do we really want to know what it all means. Plus, most religious people (those nice God fearing folks) believe that prophets are to be left alone. You know - taboo - shhh. But what does the Bible, Qur'an or Torah say about respecting the prophet? What/who should we believe? Questions just lead to more questions.

My advice to myself and anyone willing to listen, is to be reminded of Today - the Present - indeed a Gift to us all. We should live for and enjoy today, celebrate our lives, our families, and our many blessings. Not make ourselves crazy worrying about tomorrow and what may come. I am not saying that we shouldn’t be cognizant and try to make our world, our surroundings or lives better, but we should attempt to enjoy it in the process. In the movie, there seemed to be a conflict of self for the main character. He was reminded that life was short, he was well verse in the bible and scientific teachings, yet he chose not to enjoy what was left. If you need a reminder look to the news. In the space of a week we saw the passing of Farah Fawcett, Michael Jackson and Billy Mays, here today and gone tomorrow.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Pablo Picasso - “Everything that you can imagine is real.” So, if you feel that the future doesn’t looks so bright, then you had better enjoy life while you can.

Have nice day!

The Muse

Welcome Summer

2009-06-22T23:03:00.006-04:00

Yesterday was Father's Day and the first day of Summer also known as the summer solstice- the longest day in the year and shortest night in the year.

Throughout the world many people celebrated the sunrise and danced enthusiatically ushering in the much welcomed hot season. I found some interesting facts, articles and video clips about June 20 - June 21, 2009:

http://www.chiff.com/a/summer-solstice.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li0DcWw9J8k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Dnj7m5lKs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1kihxQDTSw

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/the_universe/uts/summer.html

Have a great Summer!

The Facebook list of Quizzes

2009-06-20T06:48:00.020-04:00

Lately, I have been taking these silly quizzes on Facebook (shameless plug w/o compensation) - why because they are entertaining and yes they give me a secret thrill of finding out something I feel I can learn about myself. Okay finding out that I will die trying to save someone life was a bit much, but it was fun to think that someone could come up with a quiz that would actually answer such a morbid question. Anyway, my most recent quiz was a surprise; well actually the last two. What artist are you resulted in "Picasso" and although the explanation was correct, I thought myself to be more of a Klimt or Mondrian - two very opposing styles.

Those silly quizzes were 'spot on' with my favorite house being a plantation estate, my ring style being emerald cut, the Rorschach test (or inkblot test) that said I was "perfectly sane" (Ha!) and the inner self test that said I was "a happy person"...do sing along with me. But the biggest surprise was the findings for - which Philospher are you and their reasoning... (Immanuel Kant - You believe in an overwhelming duty to mankind and the motivations behind actions being far more important than the unseen and partially random consequences. You believe in a priori knowledge, and you know this is true because you have a posteriori knowledge that is only possible because there is a priori knowledge. You are quite fond of torturing others with your complicated thinking. Still, you are the best philosopher.)

Of course, I have heard of many Philosphers over time and thought myself to be educated enough, but surprise, surprise - I had never heard of Herr Kant. Thank goodness for Wikipedia (another shameless plug) because I could not get to the library just then. Kant was a German, from Prussia....hmmm. (as an aside, one of those quizzes said I currently have a Russian personality...go figure!) Anyway, back to Kant, he had complicated ideas and created a following. According to PhilosophyProfessor.com, here is a summary of his ideas:

- Although all knowledge begins with experience, it does not all arise out of experience.

- Knowledge of an orderly world is made possible through the complementary activities of the senses and the mind.

- The matter of our experience is due to our senses and its form is contributed by the mind.

- The world we know is a phenomenal world; we have no knowledge of things-in-themselves.

- The only thing good without qualification is a good will.

- One ought to act only according to a principle of action that can be universalized.

- One ought to treat all rational beings as ends in themselves and never merely as means.

- The categorical imperative must be distinguished from hypothetical imperatives; the commands of the former are unexceptionable, but those of the latter are exceptionable.

- The autonomy of the self-legislating will is the basis of human dignity.

- Belief in God is a postulate of practical reason.

Quite a list to review and digest but do take a minute to ponder - you may surprise yourself by the thoughts that evolve.

Thanks to:

Facebook/WikipediaPhilosophyProfessor

(just shameless)

MY Theory on My Twin Soul

2009-04-12T17:57:00.017-04:00

By Epiphany

I am a Gemini! No surprise there since the name of this blog has twins in it... and yes sometimes I am a little obsessed with anything twin - ish. But lately it has been on my mind a lot.

It all started about a year ago when an intuitive lady I know said to me, I see you with three children. Well I already have one and couldn't see myself having another at all, so I laughed it off. Then as I walked the hallways where I worked, many people would randomly ask when I was having the twins. I smiled and called them crazy. Months later I found out that I was pregnant unexpectedly and thought to myself, oh no "the twin talk". My doctor confirmed many times over that I was carrying only one, so I thought this is the end of the twin talk; But no, eight months later, people still keep asking me about the twins, wishing it on me as if it was a normal occurrence. Twins run in my family but we have not had any in a while.

As I near my due date this June, my dreams have become more apocalyptic. I dream of major changes, death of what we know, giving birth, second comings, lots of white and red items, innocence, passion, death and mourning, weddings, singing, uplifting scenes and so on. They say when you are pregnant your dreams are either intuitive or crazy. Mine are both. But as I left my doctor's office this weekend, where he reassured me of my singleton and good progress, a theory came to mind. What if, the twin talk had to do with messages from beyond. I was once told that I had a twin in the womb who vanished. I am a Gemini and if my son is born around his due date, he will be a Gemini too. Sounds easy enough to comprehend but I took it even further, because as a Gemini, I could not just leave it there...so simply.

In researching, VTS or vanishing twin syndrome, I found that it happens more often than we know and without drama. It is one of those phenomenons where nature works it out without us asking. My theory or the epiphany (wink!) was that the baby I am having is due right before my birthday. I was born in June, the baby is due in June. I was born in a year ending with nine this year ends with a nine. Could it be that this baby is my twin long ago vanished to reappear and assist me in completing my journey here on earth. By the way VTS also happens to be my monogram or the initials I was given at birth and we plan on naming the baby Connor which misspelled could be the word connection, unfinished...now how's that's for spooky?

All my life, I have felt a void, a loss, a longing for the missing link. I have always known that I didn't quite fit into the mold that was given to me by my family, like there was something unfinished, but a twin on the return sounds crazy, even to open minded me. This could all be a great story, or it could very well be true. So if this young man that I am carrying shows up on my birthday, so many years after my own birth, my theory would be proven correct and I... will be complete.

Feel free to post your opinion or experience...Thanks!

Cosmic Hand Reaches For the Light

2009-04-07T09:13:00.006-04:00

Astonishing!!!!

SPACE.com StaffSPACE.com Space.com Staffspace.com Sat Apr 4, 8:17 pm ET

Original Story: Cosmic Hand Reaches for the Light SPACE.com offers rich and compelling content about space science, travel and exploration as well as astronomy, technology, business news and more. The site boasts a variety of popular features including our space image of the day and other space pictures,space videos, Top 10s, Trivia, podcasts and Amazing Images submitted by our users.

Return to Me

2009-03-17T20:30:00.010-04:00

Ambrosia with a spark of energy and much inspiration wrote a poem...nothing new there, except, after it was written, Ambrosia noted it reminded her of someone - someone close.

She knew it could only be Epiphany that she had channeled for that short moment and sent it to her for review. Epiphany gasped; it was written for her and about her.

Here it is - the Epitome of Epiphany's Existence:

RETURN TO ME

by Ambrosia

The rolling bumps of clouds in wanting winds
Change direction with spikes of energy
In all colors
Blue haze
Red orange fire
Black earth
Green forgiveness
Yellow hearty laughter
Pink soft beds
Indigo silence
And Violet rays of light
Flashing vibrantly across my horizon, melting in the atmosphere of your world

Genuine fever doesn’t have to have a reality
It just exists with purpose and solitude
At once in the hills of your imagination,
When you were a child,
Mountains of fearless thoughts and dreams surrounded you like moths at play
They surrounded the light that was you
And all the energies found you and mingled like a cluster of neurons
Creating your aura
Fascinating, the essence of your spirit,
Your ka that still watches over you
Waiting for you to accept it once again without knowing

At once as a child, you swam in the pool of lovelace and existentialism
At present, you are a slave to the world that others have made for you
The box that they keep you in, wrapped in a white ribbon of abnormal purity
Your mind drowned in the despair of every day monotonies
I want you to soar again beyond the red doors and white washed picket fences of misconstrued dreams
To the land that I have made for you
The land you have started from
Return to me and you will be refreshed my little one,
Return to me
To the sea of knowing

Thank you Ambrosia for your words bring me comfort and peace...Epiphany

Eureka! Today is Epiphany! Yeah!

2009-01-06T22:29:00.004-05:00

by yours truly...Epiphany

Well I had just a stellar day - today - in fact it was so bright, people around me had to pull out their sunglasses, less they be blinded. Smile. But enough about me wink, wink...let’s talk about what Epiphany is really about and what the rest of the world might have been doing. I believe because one of the main definitions of Epiphany is that of a religious holiday where Christians celebrate the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus, many people were doing just that today...celebrating. (See the Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Star Tribune’s piece by Rev. Peg Chemberlin below, a very nice article that explains a lot.)

But, what about me...wink wink. I want to discuss the other meaning - the feeling or a sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. I love “Aha” moments and I had many Epiphanies reading about Epiphany. Is anyone confused yet. Smile. I circled my calendar to remind myself that today was a special day. Aber, in my quest for a cure for my sinus cold, I forgot that today was 01/06/09. There I stood doing some mundane chore this evening when it hit me or I, the Muse hit myself...it was today...my special day...unbelievable; I had a great day and didn’t even know why. Smile and wink!

Well in reading more about Epiphany I noted that the word "zen" is sometimes used as a verb in the same sense as Epiphany, to mean acquiring a sudden comprehension. I love zen moments. The Japanese symbol for zen reminded me of the Ouroboros which took me to another level of thinking...let’s just say I had many Eureka moments tonight. (Thank you Wiki.)

Enjoy...More in depth reading:
http://www.startribune.com/yourvoices/37131599.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUdcOy9cP3DieyckcUsX
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany_(feeling)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
http://www.ouroborostrust.org/

Friendship...are you getting your daily dose?

2009-01-02T07:23:00.009-05:00

Yesterday, a very good friend of 26 plus years whom I consider part of my family made a statement to me. It was funny at first but then I really thought about it. He said, “your friendship is like a multi-vitamin!” Sounds funny but actually, it was quite profound.

We have known each other for a very long time and have supported each other through our many life changes. Over the years support came in numerous forms, love, spiritual, financial, sweat, sometimes it came through a good word or just plain knowing that someone was there if you needed them.

But giving unconditional friendship is hard these days. People have their own lives, their own problems and definitely their own agendas. So much so, that the friendship is not always what you think it is cracked up to be.   Some people come into our lives and stay for a really longtime, while others just leave as quickly as they come. But does that really make it a friendship? He got me to thinking. What is Friendship and why do we value it so much. I sometimes speak to other friends, cousins, aunts etc, every month, sometimes it is six months, but we don’t mind as we know that there is no love lost but busy schedules that meme our balance. But, the love is always there.

So what does Friendship mean? My definition is “freedom to love and accept someone for who they truly are and be there in a nonjudgmental way. Anytime…like a vitamin this would certainly be good for their health and well being. The next time I forget or get too busy to pick up the phone, I will remind myself that multi-vitamins work if taken on a regular basis.

Thanks Sterling,

Epiphany

"Gort, Klaatu barada nikto!"

2008-12-20T20:16:00.009-05:00

by Epiphany

Klaatu, what an amazing alien! Michael Rennie set the character in motion in 1951 and Keanu Reeves took him to another level in 2008. How two movies on the same subject made decades apart can send such important messages without anyone noticing is beyond me, but then we are speaking about mankind. Both TDTESS51 and TDTESS08 reminded Earthlings that they need to change their ways, live peacefully and love Mother Earth or all will be lost.

I told Ambrosia that I wanted to review the 2008 version, but that I wasn't sure if I could without giving it away. But then tonight I saw the 1951 version and well, I just have to say that I am sadden. Sadden by the fact that we have not even noticed how much our society, our world went in the opposite direction. I understand that movies are made for entertainment, but sometimes there is a message, one that must be heeded. In 1951, with or without purpose there was an important understanding to take away, be respectful of yourself, your neighbor and your surroundings. No one paid attention though. So here we are in 2008, and the message is being sent again. Will we even notice. Well Keanu Reeves, (I am big fan of his work, as he is quite the evolved being) should get people to listen, playing the innocent yet all knowing alien who signals the end.

But, if this were a real life situation, would the aliens think twice, would they change their minds and leave Earth to its devices? Probably not, I doubt we are that important. I do wonder what others will take away from this version. Even the seemingly mindless but entertaining children's animation called Wall-E had a great message of self-destruction, ego, convenience, laziness and self-centeredness. I didn't hear anyone talking about that either.

Well, I suppose we will see what happens, since we really are somewhat in control of our destinies.

Instinct

2008-12-02T07:38:00.003-05:00

By Epiphany

The hills roll by

day dreaming with laugther

blessed with beauty

all around

look up, look down, no matter

eyes closed awake

The journey is long

destination

inescapable

never satisfied, lost somehow

bouncing happily to music

not really listening

focusing on conformity

tailgating on the

highway of life

Hoping the guide

is an expert

Valuable lessons

learned of

intuition, mistakes

and conscience

alive, being fulfilled by life

Be there, get there

self awareness

Serena the Siren

2008-10-27T08:14:00.007-04:00

Long long ago and deep in the Mediterranean Sea, there was a mermaid named Serena. She was the greeter of the Kingdom. Her hair was long, and dark brown with streaks of gold from the sun and shells adorned her head like a crown. She spent her day s

itting at the entrance of Nei greeting visitors new and old, all the while combing her hair. During her break she would swim out into the deep to play with her best friend Loggie a loggerhead turtle, who was older than time. They would race back and forth through the water and up to the surface. Of course Serena would always win since old Loggie was slow. But it didn’t matter she

took the time to sit above water and sing to whomever would listen. The song was the same and her voice was captivating.

“Come, Come, listen to my voice, life is better here,

really the best choice
you will live forever, infinity in bliss
living on land you would never miss”

Many a ships have heard this song in passing, and many a men have fallen into

the water being lured by the sweet sounds. Of course, most of them lost their lives in the process. Serena was warned many times by the King not to sing above the surface, but she could not help it. The sounds her voice made were so much prettier above water. So Serena would wait until no ship was in sight before she sang and sang and sang.

Break time was over and she had to get back to her post. She sped through the water, swimming from coral to cave, exploring the reefs and playing in and out of the seaweed. Life was good, Loggie finally caught up; he was getting too old for playing but he knew Serena as a child and adore her quirky spirit. It was his exercise for the day.

Serena sat at her post thinking about what she would do later, when a young merman swan up. She was so lost in her thoughts, that she did not hear him clearing his throat...

A PERSONAL ESSAY...

2008-10-25T17:28:00.006-04:00

If I wrote my memoirs, it would probably be entitled “Late Bloomer: How I took the local train to my life.” Growing up I had a very structured life and getting a good education was paramount. After high school, I worked to support my family instead of going straight into college. When I finally pursued my degree, I studied a subject that was fun. In between, I threw caution to the wind, travelled, and enjoyed life and of course like most young people, made a few mistakes along the way, all while absorbing the world around me like Alice in Wonderland.

Then I grew up, got married, and started a family and bells started going off in my head. Where’s the security or the college fund for the kids? Retirement issues loomed heavily over my head threatening to leave me out in the cold if I was not careful. Self doubt and woe crept up behind me at the same time and suddenly I was there, at the proverbial fork in the road. What to do? Working with nice people in a stress free environment would not change the fact that I needed and wanted more from life. It just isn’t enough to have a good job; I had to step up to the plate in the great baseball game that is life and play ball with the big leaguers. But was I prepared enough? Then I thought who cares, who really cares?

I remembered reading a quote from Bob Moawad, motivational speaker and teacher. He said “the best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.” I thought to myself, the gift is mine and it has been an amazing journey -- so far. But it was time to get a little more serious, I could blame no one but myself if I did not pursue the things I always wanted and I always wanted to write.

I searched for years, to find something that I knew, I would enjoy writing about. This hobby or project should not take me away from my family nor interfere with my earning a living or cost a lot. It would allow me to freely pursue getting published. I knew, I’d found all the ingredients to this recipe when I came across blogging. It seemed like a gift from the Greek gods and I, a mere mortal would have the opportunity to clear up some unfinished business. I did not have to write about any one thing, but anything I wanted.

Currently, I blog whenever possible, and my passion for writing and communicating globally has been realized. My goals was simple, pen my thoughts that is built on the platform that is my life, publish my musings, inspire others, be a positive role model and increase my spiritual "self" worth. So here I am - ready to go in my nice new car with a full tank of gas and a road map to my destination.

Ciao for now,
A blogger for life.

Whimsy

2008-10-14T22:36:00.006-04:00

by Epiphany

Whimsy defined as a noun means
1. capricious humor or disposition; extravagant, fanciful, or excessively playful expression: a play with lots of whimsy.
2. an odd or fanciful notion.
3. anything odd or fanciful; a product of playful or capricious fancy: a whimsy from an otherwise thoughtful writer.
Also, whimsey.

[Origin: 1595–1605; whim(-wham) + -sy] —Synonyms 2. caprice, whim, humor.

Derived from whim-wham, also a noun means
1. any odd or fanciful object or thing; a gimcrack.
2. whim-whams, Informal. nervousness; jitters: He had the whim-whams after the accident.

[Origin: 1490–1500; gradational compound; cf. flimflam, jimjams, etc.] Well we could go on anyway...digressing.

Where has it all gone. Our little Whimsy......... Whimsy, Oh Whimsy where are you? I know you are here somewhere, yet somehow, I lost you in plain sight. Can you come out and play. Pause

Well it seems not. Whimsy is hiding and I guess with good reason. Whimsy was shun by the general public, told to not behave so eccentric, people just don't...won't understand your methods and most of all - stop acting childish. Pause

And there you have it. Whimsy lost and alone wandering!

I would like to put forth an effort to bring back Whimsy.
Can anyone help me?
Can anyone find that inner child that made them so happy before they acquired responsibility?
Is there anyone out there who will stand with me and spread some fanciful world love?
Will you wear yellow instead of black or pink instead of brown?
Will you blow bubbles while standing on your head?
Will you bow or curtsy to an unsuspecting pedestrian?
Will you sing Woo-Hoo in the hallways till everyone in the building starts singing too?
Will you will Whimsy back into our lives?

I sure hope so, ‘cuz we need it. There is nothing but bad news floating through the air these days. Nothing positive at all. Have you ever heard that old saying, "if you do not have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" well that's what’s going on in our society. We cannot even support each other with kindness. We cannot see past our own problems, fears and desperation. Wake up less we not, we all have problems. What we really need to be doing is something positive, something, anything to show our eternal gratefulness for waking up another day, for feeling the sunshine on our skin, for being capable of love...

Look out people, I am gonna find Whimsy, grab 'em by the hmmm and introduce 'em to some folks.

HaHa...Live out Loud with the MUSE!

Karma…[kahr-muh] – noun

2008-09-29T16:49:00.008-04:00

... is defined in Hinduism and Buddhism as an action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation. In Theosophy, it is the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person's deeds in the previous incarnation. Some call it Fate, Destiny and/or the good or bad emanations felt to be generated by someone or something.

I look at it as a principle way of life. Many faiths, religions or teachings have imparted the premise of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” to their followers. (See link below for related articles.) It should be their daily mantra but alas no one really believes that if they are nice, they will receive kindness in return. That's not to say that you should offend or hurt someone if they offend or hurt you, but that you should continuously treat people the way in which you would expect to be treated; with the utmost respect for humanity and all of its idiosyncrasies.

I suppose if we lived in a perfect world, it would probably work, but we don't. Today and even long ago in simpler times, the need to survive and the innate human ability to be selfish has taught people that the strongest and the fastest gets the goal first; and winning is what counts. But there is a bigger issue to contend with. The Multiverse has a way of reminding us that living well and living right is not the same thing. Whenever you engage in a random act of kindness, the person on the receiving end is benefiting from their past good deeds. You, on the other hand will be depositing karmic points so to speak and one day when you least expect it, someone will do something for you that will leave you breathless.

So start looking around you, appreciating the day, your health, your family or co-workers, give someone a smile, hold the door open for someone, or even pay someone passage on the bus. It's that simple and you will see that in return the Multiverse will reward you with the important thing in life - love. Of course, this is only my humble opinion. It is how I live my life day to day. My advice would be to try and always walk in the Light, be grateful all the time and commit a random act of kindness.

ps: feel free to post something that happened unexpectantly in your life, whether you did something nice or someone acted on your behalf.

See linked article about the “shared belief in the Golden Rule a.k.a. Ethics of Reciprocity” http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm

Menhir!?

2008-09-24T03:45:00.013-04:00

A menhir is a upright standing stone, usually tall but can sometimes be found short and engraved. Sometimes placed as a single monolith, or as part of a group of similar stones, no one really understands the purpose of their existence or where they come from. Theories range from human sacrifice by druids to territorial markers. Yet others believe that they were put there by aliens. It could also be possible that some ancient tribes build them as a form of Phallic worship ensuring fertility for their land and their women. Who really knows.

Why is there a high magnetic field near these stones and what is the relationship of Archaeoastronomy and Stonehenge? Why are there menhirs found all around the world. France, Sweden, Britain, New York, Africa, Germany. The comic Asterix and Obelix made fun of throwing menhirs at the Romans but I doubt that's how they really got where they stand today.

The word menhir was adopted from the French by 19th century archaeologists. It is a combination of two words found in the Breton language; men (stone), and hir (long). In Modern Welsh they are described as maen hir, or "long stone." In modern Breton, the word

peulvan is used. (wiki quote)

To me, it looks like a clock from the sky, a giant sundial if you will, but one will never know and it is so much more fun guessing. What do you think?

Medical Students

2008-09-18T14:39:00.019-04:00

by Epiphany

They walk the hallways

smiles upon their faces

hiding the pain

lost is their graces

So tired and living on adrenaline

expected to give and give

with no time to sin

Bones in their boxes

meetings here, meetings there

caring for the unknown

lost in a world of

paradox

It's all for a good cause

those who don't

want to be here

but having a family

tradition to bear

who is to save mankind

but the great and dear

The semester is almost over

no more mock practicals

no more gross labs

the years fly by slowly

soon an MD will make

it’s a must,

it can not come soon enough

Do Ponder!

2008-09-18T14:39:00.018-04:00

W H Y . . .
... we are here?
... we grow old?
... we procreate?
... we are curious?
... we love?
... we hate?
... we obsess?
... we cannot see past the illusion that is our lives?
... we worry about things out of our control?
... scientific discoveries seem so new when it was there the whole time?
... some people are smart and some are special?
... we use only a small portion of our brain?
... we are fascinated with people who have special abilities?
... we become jealous, or enraged or anything negative?
... does Picasso feel that if it can be imagined it must be real?

Think about it!!

My Acceptance Speech

2008-09-09T06:26:00.004-04:00

Daydreaming
by Epiphany

INT - OFFICE CUBICLE - MIDDAY
Girl sitting at her desk day dreaming about receiving an award. Her hair is a mess and her diamond studded cat eye glasses have partially fallen down her nose. Office noise continues in the backgound. Canned appaulse is heard after she is introduced as the winner.

DAYDREAMER
Well most people start their speeches with "I would like to THANK -
- but I am gonna tell you a story

DAYDREAMER
It all started one day - (smiles)

CROWD
(groans)

DAYDREAMER
- one day when I was mistaken for Halle Berry. (laughs)

DAYDREAMER
Oh that's the wrong story –
-oh just a minute (flips thru)
oh it is right here, I just had it –
-hmmm just a minute, where is it
(Moves papers aside and fixes glasses that have become crooked)

DAYDREAMER
Oh I see it –
(bends done to pick up the fallen piece of paper)

DAYDREAMER
Oh Dear -(as her beautiful dress rips in the back)
CROWD
Ohhhhhh

DAYDREAMER
- Hey no more brownies for me -
(smiles while trying to stand; her glasses fall onto the stage)

DAYDREAMER
Oh I will get thoses -
(She goes down again bumping her head on the podium knocking her wig to the side)
-Here we are (rises and smile)

CROWD
owwwwww

The music starts and the escorts move in place to guide her out

DAYDREAMER
Oh No...(pause as she is manuevered away)
Well thank you everyone (she waves and screams back towards the microphone)

Thank you, Mom, Bill my husband and –
(running back to the podium and grabbing the microphone)

She is dragged away by the smiling escorts and security

ANNOUNCER
Let's hear it everyone (clapping with a raised eyebrows and whispering)

Coworker shakes day dreamer on the shoulder to wake up

COWORKER
We have to go, don't forget you are getting the Laurel Award for Comedic Writing tonight, are you ready?

DAYDREAMER
Oh Gosh –NO!

They exit.

In My Past Life I was...

2008-09-05T18:25:00.011-04:00

...a slight tomboy as I am now. I had no way of knowing that all my lives after travelling to earth would be carried into the next ones. The almighty Zeus feeling terribly guilty about my existence indulged my every whim. I called him father off and on.

Considered a Warrior and the Goddess of Athens, Wisdom and Weaving, I was well loved but not by the other Gods, for they were very jealous of my ability to do as I please. Moreover, with well defined cheekbones, a straight nose, a heart shaped mouth and large olive shaped eyes, I was far from average looking. I was tall and agile and always willing to lend a helping hand. But most considered my lack of interest in marriage as strange and many tried their tatics to lull me into a relationship. Looking back now, maybe I shouldn't have bored their eyes out or kill them for professing their lust for me.

Oh well, maybe I will get it right in one of my future incarnations.

ευθυμίες
Athena (the Greek Goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, industry, justice and skill...you better recognized.)

Dream within a Dream within a Dream...

2008-08-29T06:39:00.010-04:00

HURUS

by Epiphany

He was young and handsome and I surmised from Iceland. But I knew better he was the man of my dreams literally. He was serious and strong. He willed me to understand his words but I didn’t, I couldn’t hear him clearly in my mind. I was too mesmerized by his stare. The gray in his eyes were almost like steel. I tried to look away but it was impossible, I was riveted and he was trying to tell me something. "Hurus?" I called and he faded. I woke up instantly, searching for his presence but he wasn’t there and I wasn’t in the barren landscape I am use to visiting him in.

The pyramid like structures, red sandy dirt, sky filled with stars illuminating the world without a sun....the ringed planet so close I felt like I could almost to touch it. There was no smell just openess. This dream within a dream puzzled me, his disappearance made me so very sad. I walked around seeking, feeling the coolness of the air, I was not ready for the reality of what was really happening. As I separated my conscientious mind from the scene before me, I floated away from my body. The glass dome that covered his world was shut, morning in my world was approaching and he, Hurus, had to take his leave. My body lay in the bed close by, sleeping, trying to find a way to get back to the planet that lay quietly under glass on the night stand, but to no avail. I woke up staring into the darkness of morning as my dream world faded into reality.
_______________________________
In Inifinitum,
Walking with Stars

Cryptically Dreaming...take a peek

2008-08-20T22:03:00.006-04:00

We were all sitting around, mom, dad, husband, daughter and me talking about where the neighborhood was headed. It was bed time and Lovie wouldn’t sleep. The next day a vagrant shows up at our doorstep and just wouldn’t move. He wore a black sweatshirt and jean shorts and he sat there at our front door not saying a word nor was he facing the street. He sat on the steps facing the house with his back to the hedge that lined out small four step ascent. We called the police, who came but could not figure out why he was there and how to get him to move. They came in to explain our options of having him removed, but when they came out he was gone. The policeman stood there in his navy uniform, hands on hip looking as protective as he could and clueless.

That evening we didn’t see the vagrant. Everyone got ready for bed as usual and slept through the night. The next day as we all milled about, the vagrant was back in his spot and talking into the air. He repeated the same sentence “the house was ready”. As he shouted this to no one in particular the house started to lift off the foundation and rise into the sky. The neighbors all ran to their porches including a co-worker who kept shifting shapes and shouting up to us as we rose. We all ran nervously to the windows, wondering what was going on, and shrieked at the thought that the house was rising and we were trapped.

She, my co-worker was shouting from below that it was her turn to be taken, and it was not fair as she was ready. I got the camera and started taking pictures of the scene below, there was a brown square patch surrounded by green grass where the house used to sit. The five people surrounding my old co-worker just stood looking up at us as we rose. They just look like these black figures against the stark whiteness of the house. We rose and rose and continued to rise.

My father in law was holding Lovie, as my husband and I tried to make sense of what was going on. and as we turned from the window to gather ourselves, the windows and walls were replaced with glass sliding doors that dropped from the ceiling to the floor and clicked into a silver metal strip on the floor. We ran to the back of the house and looked around. There was nothing but darkness except for something glittering in the distance as it got closer I grabbed my camera.

My husband saw her first. She was tall not an Amazon but even taller and looked like a giant walking towards us. She was so tall that it could not be measured. Her hair was blond and below her shoulders. The gold breast plate that she wore from her neck to her thighs just glimmered and the wine colored skirt swung from side to side as she approached us. Everyone was riveted, not wanting to take our eyes off her, I lifted my camera and took her picture. The flash scared her and she dropped to her knees and quickly backed up behind a barrier that we hadn't noticed before. She had a companion that was not visible to us but we knew it was there. Maybe we passed Valhalla and Freyja was ready to welcome us, but we were not ready to go. As the warrior-goddess retreated we just stood there, wondering how and why we could have scared her off. Just then the ocean at dusk came into view.

Were we there the whole time. The waves were hugh and crashing, the light was dim but the colors that bounced off of the water were simply irresistible. Jasper was in his shorts and all of sudden runs out into the night sky. He loves the ocean, but as he dove in and swam around, we all gasped as the waves got bigger and bigger. How will we get him back, I shouted to the family who was trying to stay out of the way. Suddenly, I had an idea. On the next wave we could open one of the glass doors and let him in, but it was not necessary. A giant wave picked him up and rolled him into towards the house, before I figure out how to operate the metal strip the glass became plyable and bent and rippled to let him in. I wrapped him in the a towel and hugged him. We were so relived.

Just then a woman appeared outside, it was as bright as day or even daytime again and she looked and appeared in the form of Joyce Meyers. She approached us and said to me hold out your hand, I gave her my hand and she placed hers in mine with thumb and index finger creating a circle, the other three fingers point out away from each other. She said you’re not staying, Go back now. You must try and save them, teach them the way and don’t worry about how, you will know. She pointed to my hand again and the symbol and I woke up.