Saturday, December 13, 2008

still around

STILL HERE!


Just taking a break.....

jbm
:-)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

JZ....problems

Everyone has "problems"
just don't let them become
... a problem!
jonZEN
:)

Sunday, October 26, 2008

JZ....little things

Stay focused on the Big Picture
and "the little things in life"
will remain just that….
Little Things !!

-jonZEN
:)

Thursday, October 9, 2008

"that one" won....

..."that one".....
THAT WON!


Then we all win
and become "them one?"
:-)

Obama2008

Sunday, September 28, 2008

JZ... redundant

Redundantly repeating oneself is good because
it helps you remember what you forgot
before you forget it!

- jonZEN
:)

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Wandering in and out and about

Wandering in and out and about...

The light that once burned so brightly within is now burning without.
Round and round we go, where it stops and begins again,
I don’t know!

What was, is but a fading memory as the lights about me that once showed the way fade to a dim, patiently waiting to burn brightly again. The journey has become lost, helpful signs are gone. A familiar journey it is with the same ole signs. Signs that never end, signs that have lost meaning.

Whispers from that slimy snake with the devilish smile slithering about, the road has become dark as pleasures of the flesh arise again. Pleasures of the flesh...again. Sinking so low but feeling so high. I can’t explain it but surely you understand it.

Only a flicker within guides me now. The test has begun anew for lessons learned afar, that remain within. Will I find the way again? Will I become the way again....

Lessons learned within long ago are now are but faded memories: frazzled, dazzled and dazed again. Faded indeed but still within for that is the way it is and always will be for me. When will this new familiar journey end? When will the old journey re-begin? Old lessons learned, tested anew, as class never ends. A classroom that was once embraced is now avoided. Not necessary avoided but not attended: Absent Absent Absent!

This journey has many detours. Familiar detours, that is, as I’ve traveled them before. They are as an old lost friend. A friend to enjoy but a friend to avoid. Distractions along the way. Sense to no one but me, but a friend to all, for within, we all have this friend indeed. Pleasures of the senses he is called and quite an enticing fellow indeed. Very soothing but so hallowing indeed.

The need to be free suppressed by the need to be....is very negative for me! LET ME BE FREE ... to live life......for the path to be free, to be enlightened, is filled with joy and misery! Oh, to be home again by the sea....

Slipping and sliding happens to us all but sooner or later, we will once again stand tall for that flicker of light that always burn within, is patiently waiting to burn brightly again.....
:)

Bright light, Closed eyes

.......I could see, or rather, sense a bright white light. It was right in front of my face and getting brighter by the minute. How could this be, I thought to my self. How could I see it since my eyes were closed but yet, I could still somehow see this light? It was getting brighter and brighter, nearer and nearer, or so I felt and thought..... Was this the proverbial “don’t go into the light”, light, I thought to myself.... Wait a minute, aren’t I aslee...?..... then I woke up......
:)

The Smile pt1

.... and he, who did not see the smile, continued walking with his head down.... a heavy gloomy look on his sullen face.... walking without purpose.... right into a tree.... bumped his head.... and fell to the grey dusty, hard ground..... life passing him by....

..... and then the other, he who noticed her smile; such a sweet, friendly loving smile, suddenly felt alive. He had never noticed such a smile in all of his years. It lit up his world. He could now see clearly, think clearly and it brought a joyful smile to his insightful face. The white wings on his back slowly unfolded, spread wide and he soared miraculously upward above this vibrant earth as he could now fly.... at first, surprised by what was within him, he was in shocked by this.... then joy and bliss overwhelmed him for he could now see wide and far, yet understood it all.... all because of a smile....
:-)

Rites of Youth in Trier

On any given summer weekend... you will find groups of Trier’s youth gathering downtown in the ”Haupt Marktplatz“....

This gathering will consist of anywhere from two people to a dozen teenage friends...male and female... More than likely, there will be a bottle or two of red wine and/or white wine being shared amongst them (legal age, of course)..... They are causing no trouble; no fights will break out, no vandalism will occur..... They are just the youth of Trier celebrating life; enjoying each others friendship, enjoying being outdoors and soaking in the atmosphere around them as tourist and residents alike bustle about them..... Animated conversations over love, life, the opposite sex and laughter fill the air! No subject is taboo and no one is ridiculed. All are included.... None of the “grown ups” sneer at them (some even engage them in conversation). No one is harassing them. They are accepted and treated as people. A part of the city life... They are not hustled off to any dark out of the way areas or pushed aside because of their youthful innocence... The police walk by unperturbed by this common gathering as it does not cause any alarm... It is an accepted ritual that has been repeated many times throughout the years, decades and perhaps centuries in this over 2000 yrs old city....the rites of the youth in Trier.....
:)

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Two Birds

Watching two birds in the sky.....

A small black bird is frantically flipping its wings in an attempt to stay afloat against the currently prevailing high winds. Soon, another black bird, obviously a fully grown bird, swoops in next to the other, smaller bird. It is coasting, flapping its wings only occasionally as he uses the wind to stay afloat in a seemingly effortless display of beauty that only birds can do. He swiftly flies nearby the smaller and younger black bird as it is feverishly flapping its wings. Then, the larger bird, using one thrust of its wings, drifts in front of the other bird as if to show him how it is done; how to properly use the wind beneath its wings to stay afloat. After a while and after a few futile attempts on its own, the smaller bird finally begins to float, to coast along using the wind to its advantage and to soar higher and higher in the sky. After a few flights around in a circle, the smaller bird following the bigger black bird, they part ways and head off in different directions. The smaller bird, now flying high, confidently and soaring with grace ... on its own .....
:-)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Dirty Dishes

Sometimes, during the daily hustle and bustle to get through our day, we forget those who are nearest, dearest and most important to us. We lose track of our priorities. It happens.

Example: When your child (or spouse etc.) wakes up in the morning, be sure to smile at them and say “hi!” When you get home from work or when they come home after school, be sure to stop what your are doing for a minute, smile at them and say “hi”, again, when you see ‘em. Don’t force it but let it come naturally and honestly from the heart. Let them know and make them feel (it) that they are the most important part of your life (hopefully they are); least of all, make them feel that they are more important than the “dirty dishes”!
:-)

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Rear view mirror

As I've said before...
In the car of life,
the rear view mirror does not matter
throw it out
for, what has happened has happened
we cannot do anything about it
learn from it then put it away
always move forward
never backward
life is life...
enjoy it
become it
live it...
today!
:-)

spirits in material world

We are spirits in
a material world.
--sting
:)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

What others think

What others think of you matters
to the degree
that it matters,
to you!
---jbm
:)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Life can be hard

Life can be hard
to live life is easy....
jbm
:)

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Be as Children

According to the bible,”To enter the Kingdom of God (Heaven), you need to be as children are”, or something to that effect (it’s been a while since I last read the bible). What exactly does that mean? Some of my thoughts on this saying....

I believe it means that we must view the world and live life as children do: without hate, without racism, embracing life, enjoying nature, laughing often and playing. Children don’t worry about amassing material goods as they make do with what they have and use their imagination to play life.

When it rains, don’t complain about it. Embrace it as part of nature. Go outside and stand in the rain. Enjoy and feel the rinsing, refreshing rain water as it comes down on you. It has the power to cleanse you of your negative thoughts, if you allow it. Go ahead and jump in that puddle. Get wet. Get dirty. Enjoy all the forms of weather that nature offers us.

Enjoy and appreciate all people. Kids don’t refuse to play with another kid because of their color, sex or race. (That’s taught to them by grownups!) Enjoy all the various cultures of the world. Embrace and encourage diversity. We all have something to offer and to learn from each other.

Play! Kids know how to play under all circumstances. Usually, no matter what’s happening around them, they want to and will play. Playing keeps the stress level down and makes you happy.

Enjoy nature. How often do kids find something knew outside, some new bug or cloud or animal or bird and it just amazes them? Let nature and its various forms overwhelm you with amazement. Remember, we, in all our various body shapes and sizes, are a part of nature...

Laugh! Probably the number one thing about kids is their ability to laugh at everything and to even laugh at what is considered the wrong time! There is something to be said about this because laughter may be the key to a happy life. Laughter! It’s been proven that laughter is good for your health. It makes you healthy and it makes you feel good. So get out there and laugh at everything (just about) but especially, laugh at yourself. Don’t be so serious.

So, be as children. Embrace the philosophy and enjoy diversity, explore all the various forms, shapes and colors that nature has to offer and keep an open, positive mind. Enjoy your life here on earth, appreciate the environment around you and “play” as much as possible. Doing this, you shall become healthier, happier and you just might also be given that golden key to the kingdom above! (or is it actually inside all of us ...)
:)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

A man of knowledge

A man of knowledge is free...
he has no honor, no dignity, no family, no home, no country ...
only life to be lived
-don Juan

Sunday, June 1, 2008

3rd world time

"You go to a 3rd world country thinking you might see poor, depressed people but most of the people, they have family, they love each other, and they have good quality time together. They have more time than we do. They appreciate what they have and don’t dwell on what they don’t have. They take the time for their friends and family. They enjoy life. We're so stinking busy, we don't take time to enjoy what we have and we don't take the time for our friends and family like we should. Sometimes, I think they have it better than we do..."
-anonymous
:)

Saturday, May 17, 2008

A difference in others

Make a difference in the lives of others and
it will make a difference in your life...
JBM
:-)

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Knowing what you learn

People ask; “But how can I learn to do that?“

And I tell them, it’s quite simple because you already know it!
OR, to put it another way,

”What you already know is what you must (re) learn!”
:)

Monday, May 12, 2008

Happiness


"...the purpose of our life is happiness...."

"...we don't need more money, we don't need greater success or fame, we don't need the perfect body or even the perfect mate --- right now, at this very moment, we have a mind, which is all the basic equipment we need to achieve complete happiness...the mind...now, the secret to my own hapiness, my own good future, is within my own hands, within my own mind...If you maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness, then something automatically opens your inner door..."

(positive thoughts beget positive feelings)

"...Achieving genuine happiness may require bringing about a transformation in your outlook, your way of thinking and this is not a simple matter...(it's) a constant battle within, replacing previous negative conditioning or habituation with new positive conditioning...through training, we can change, we can transform ourselves (our thoughts)...I may become irritated and develop sone anger, but it dissipates very quickly. There is no effect on the deeper mind. (no lingering negative thoughts) This was achieved through gradual practice. It didn't happen over night..."

...CHANGE TAKES TIME...

It is within us all. We can achieve, maintain and live a happy life, regardless of what happens to us or what happens around us. It's all witin you, in your mind. Develop a mind that thinks positive, a mind that sees the good around you and you will also feel happy. You will be HAPPY, you will achieve a peace of mind and your life will become much more enjoyable! It is within you.... YOU CAN DO IT!

The above quotes are by the Dalai Lama
:-)

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Tony Dungy said...


"It’s about the journey—mine and yours—and
the lives we can touch,
the legacy we can leave, and
the world we can change for the better."
~Tony Dungy
:)

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Buddha say ... 8

It is better to travel well
than to arrive.
--Buddha
:)

How you look at it

Sometimes we think thoughts that are ”bad“ but are they really bad? Is it not human society that pre determines the “bad” thoughts? That is, are the thoughts really “bad” or is it based on society, according to where you live, that decides if the thoughts are bad or not. Society, on a whole, is human based. So, these “bad thoughts” are determined through the human kaleidoscope which leaves them open to interpretation, according to where you live and the preconditioned human aspect.

Are thoughts deemed “bad” by society really bad? I believe it depends on the perspective. I prefer to use the “big picture” view, myself, which is a bit different from societies “moralistic” view. In the big picture view, the little things anointed wrong by society do not apply. In the big pic of our spiritual life, all thoughts are considered learning experiences, which, the last time I checked, is a good thing. We all learn from our choices and “mistakes” but what are mistakes? Mistakes are but the best choices made at a certain time based on the inherent learning experiences that are within us. Sure, looking back, some choices we made were better than others, but they are all, if made with a pure, honest heart, just learning experiences that help us grow.

As humans, we are not perfect. Don’t expect to be and don’t expect others to be, either. Nobody is perfect and we all make “bad” decisions although, again, I don’t consider them to be “bad” decisions. Choices made, based on where we are at, growth wise, are not necessarily bad choices. They are decisions made, based on our knowledge, intent and spiritual standing at the time.

If we look at life based on the human aspect, we will see and feel many negative aspects as that is how life is when we look at it that way. However, if we use the big picture perspective, we will see the positive and the growth that we hopefully making. In the whole view, all little decisions help us grow. Growth in the spiritual sense, that is. In the big picture, we all, hopefully, learn and slowly grow based on our own unique needs. That is the purpose. To grow. That is why we are here: to become complete again. And all choices and all thoughts will ultimately lead us to that goal.

So, as our soul travels through its journey here on earth, remember,
It all depends on how you look at it......
:-)

Above the city

In the past, I would sometimes close my eyes and see myself rising above the city. I could see above the maddening crowd much as an eagle in flight. From this view, I would see all the people rushing about going from here to there and over there. In a hurry to wait and waiting to hurry up!

From this view above the city, I could see the streets with its cars slowly moving through the maze. It reminded me of ants. We get in our cars to go from here to there and back here again. From this eagles view, it appears as ants, moving about frantically to finish something important. So many cars. So much traffic. So silly!

Is this the only way we can move about, I thought to my self. Why can’t we just use our minds to get there and back? I can imagine that by imagining ourselves in another location, we would just be there. Simply by thinking about it. Visualization. Think it and you will be there. So humanistic it seems to me that we have to use something such as cars to move about while our minds are quite capable of doing it for us....if only I knew how....

I’m sure my soul does...
:)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Did not cross arms and turn away

'I couldn't just cross my arms and turn away'

El Paso, TX native Maria Ruiz knows firsthand how different life can be a mere 30-minute drive south of her Texas home.

"Just by crossing the border, you're in a Third World country," Ruiz said.

For 12 years, she's traveled several times a week to the outskirts of Juarez, Mexico, bringing aid to hundreds of impoverished children and their families.

Ruiz's family has roots in Juarez, but it wasn't until 1996 that she ventured outside the city. There, for the first time, she saw poverty in the extreme. People lived in homes made of wooden pallets. The elementary school was built of makeshift materials and had no running water or electricity. Teachers told her that many children were failing because they were hungry.

"My heart went out to those kids," Ruiz recalled. "I couldn't just cross my arms and turn away from it. I needed to do something."

Ruiz got donations from El Paso businesses, and within one week, she was running a food program out of her home. She cooked meals in her kitchen and drove the food south to the Juarez school. She fed approximately 1,200 children every day for three and a half years, until the businesses she depended on for donations shut down in 1999.

But that didn't stop Ruiz from helping the children in Juarez. Now, working with her husband and two children, she gathers donations from around El Paso -- food, clothing, toys, even furniture -- and distributes them at local "giveaways" a couple of times a month.

For her, helping kids in need is worth the effort “When you make a child smile," she said, "it's awesome."

Ruiz says the children have kept her coming back to Juarez. When she reflects on her work, she doesn't consider herself a hero.

"I know I can do much more."

From CNN


Now I’m sure some of you are going to say, “What about the kids in America? We should be taking care of our own, first!” You are correct...in a way. We should be taking care of our kids here in America. We have the richest government in the world and one of the worst records when it comes to taking care of our own kids. Yep, our government has failed our kids. Does that mean we should not help others? I don’t think so. I believe we should help those who we can, regardless of location or nationality. It’s about the kids. So, if you have a problem with this, take it out on your government. There is a little ole election coming up later this year, in case you didn’t know.....so don’t “just cross your arms and turn away”

JBM
:)

Monday, March 31, 2008

Better friends?

Do men have better friends ...........

Friendship between women: A woman didn't come home one night. The next morning she told her husband that she had slept over at a friends house. The man called his wifes 10 best friends. None of them knew anything about it.

Friendship between men: A man didn't come home one night. The next morning he told his wife that he had slept over at a friends house. The woman called her husbands 10 best friends, 8 of which confirmed that he had slept over, and 2 said that he was still there.

:-) :-) :-) :-) .....

Friday, March 21, 2008

1 in a 100

I recently read a report that said at the beginning of 2008, 1 in a 100 adult, American citizens were behind bars; either in jail or in prison. This was, I believe, the highest rate of any country in the world....

Interesting.....land of the Free, huh?
:(

Sunday, March 16, 2008

According to...3

"Stopping smoking is the easiest thing in the world.
I have done it dozens of times."
---Mark Twain
:-)

Buddha Say...7

Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace of mind.
--Buddha
:-)

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Back to Work

Well, it had to end sooner or later. “All good things must come to an end”, they say. Oh really? Do they have to end? For me, its work. Or, back to work, to be more precise. After being laid off last year, planning and moving to a new country, I’m back to work after a year off. Bummer! It’s been a great year though! The time off allowed me the opportunity to reflect on my thoughts and concentrate on “self” improvement. I can still work on these but will now have less time to do it.

It’s not that I don’t mind working. Heck, I’ve been working since the age of 13 and I’m now in my 40’s so I know a thing or two about working! No, working is not the issue: I just prefer not to! I have more important things to do with my life than getting up everyday, going to some business and making money for some one else or for some billion dollar firm. No, that’s not my idea of life. We are not here to “work”, so others can profit. Now, if I “work”ed for a non-profit where helping people was the name of the game, I would be more excited about going back to work. I tried that route last year after being laid off. I applied for many different positions with a variety of non-profits with the idea of trying to find a “job” where I would be part of “making a difference in people’s lives.” A “job with meaning”, as they say...which would not be a “job” to me by any stretch of the imagination because its something I enjoy doing: helping others, helping them see the good in life so they, too, can enjoy it. Unfortunately, I either never received a reply or got a not qualified response from all my applications.

I always felt that the not qualified response was a bit odd. I mean, I applied for positions where I could help make a difference in peoples’ lives and what better qualifications than to be a person with a life!! (Ok, some call me a Dog and some say I have no life but that’s another story!!) Seriously, my job search the last few years has been to find work, in any capacity, with helping out those who are less fortunate or are struggling with life. I guess having a heart and a burning desire to help doesn't mean anything anymore. My preference would be to work with helping kids, abused women or single moms. I believe these people need the most help, are in vulnerable situations and are perhaps the most victimized in humanities quest for power. Not that others who also need help are any less deserving of it but, for me, it’s always been, I guess, about helping the underdogs or those who get the least respect. Children will always have a place in my heart. I find it a shame and feel really sorry for those kids who, for whatever reason, are not able to fully enjoy their childhood days by simply being children because of their unfortunate situation. Abused women probably factor in to the equation due to the fact that I’m a man and a man who does not believe in violence. So this touches two nerves. Single moms: I see them all over and have a heavy heart for them as well. We know how hard life can be whether you are single or if you have a partner to help out but it has to be almost impossible nowadays if you are alone...raising a kid! Raising children should be the most important task we as humans have but it apparently has been delegated to the “later” file. Personally, I don’t think (I know) that our government, politicians or those big bad major companies help out these people enough. These struggling people are marginized and pushed to the back of the line behind the wants and wishes of the rich, the powerful and the greedy who if they had their way, “those people” would just “go away”. That is not taking care of the people as I believe should be the first priority of any government toward its citizens.

Yes, I live in a dream world when it comes to what our government or the people of the world should do but don’t we all, in one way or another? Dreams are what make us and shape us. Dreams become the fiber of our morals. Dreams are what we work on in life. And my dream just got pushed back a bit, again, as I re-enter the “working world”!

In my new working world, I will once again be working on defective cells phones in a warehouse. Exciting, huh! I feel vibes of jealousy from you all..... Yep, a nice boring, monotonous, non-challenging position; just what a (young!) creative, sincere, thinking mind needs to dull the senses.

If it sounds like I’m starting to complain about going back to work, well it’s probably true. After all, it was great to have the time off. For one thing, it allowed me the opportunity to start this blog and attempt to express, in words, my views and what I think about our life on earth. It also afforded me the opportunity to meet, through your blogs, some really interesting and, I think, nice people like Jim, Sieg, Sophia and Rambler, among others.

More importantly, though, the time off enabled me to spend much much valuable time with my growing 12 yr old son. YOU CAN’T PUT A $$ ON THAT!! I would never trade this time spent with my son. I love him very very much and think the world of him. He is just plain awesome! Luckily, I had this opportunity to play with him, watch TV with him, talk to him; mostly just BS but also some life learning conversations that hopefully will shape his views a bit. Most importantly, though, for him and me, was the opportunity to just plain spend the time together: day in and day out, for the last year. I was/am there for him at this important stage of his life. It was great and I will always cherish the time we had together. I think he will too when he is older. I wish other parents had the opportunity to also spend more quality time with their kids because this is part of the problem in many households in today’s over worked, fast paced, “I don’t have time” American society: Not enough quality time for or with their children. Both parent and child benefit immensely from this time together.

Unfortunately, my decision to get back to work was based on the almighty dollar or Euro, as it is over here. My family and my, soon to be a teenager, son have material needs that can only be met by my “earning a living”. I have no problem with that and understand this need of theirs. Of course, if I had a choice, I would rather not work (who would?), spend my days thinking/writing, being with my son and still be able to monetarily provide for them, so if anyone out there wants to “help” me in this situation...my ego is nie so big!

Over the last year, I’ve provided for my son mentally but now it’s time to provide for him materially. All kids need to experience and learn about materialism as a child or it may become the focus of their adulthood. Remember, it’s not necessarily materialism itself that corrupts but how it’s used and where the priority of obtaining it is placed. I am attempting to teach my son the difference and if we don’t let children experience the world of materialism and teach them properly, wisely about its place in life while they are young, it could easily become their one and only motivating factor later in life and I do not want that for my son. Now, he can have a well balanced understanding of life.

Stepping back from the rat race or as John Lennon put it; “I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round” is vastly underrated. May you all, some day, enjoy it.

("Watching the Wheels" concerns Lennon's dismissal of those who were confounded by his "househusband" years, 1975-1980. During this period, he stayed away from the music industry and raised his son Sean with Yoko. The song's second verse seems to contain an allusion to Plato's "Allegory of the cave". In it, Plato believed that one can only learn through dialectic reasoning and open-mindedness. Humans had to travel from the visible realm of image-making and objects of sense, to the intelligible, or invisible, realm of reasoning and understanding. "The Allegory of the Cave" symbolizes this trek and how it would look to those still in a lower realm. Plato is saying that humans are all prisoners and that the tangible world is our cave. The things which we perceive as real are actually just shadows on a wall. Just as the escaped prisoner ascends into the light of the sun, we amass knowledge and ascend into the light of true reality: where ideas in our minds can help us understand the form of 'The Good'.)

Peace Luv and Health to all....
Enjoy watching the wheels...I do....

JBM

Friday, February 22, 2008

No football child left behind....


No Child Left Behind - Football Version

The football version of what is going on in education right now.

For all educators in and out of the education system:

1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the championship. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and equipment will be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the same time, even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents. ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!

3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in football, have limited athletic ability or whose parents don't like football.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th game. This will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum goals: If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind. If parents do not like this new law, they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and support private schools that can screen out the non-athletes and prevent their children from having to go to school with bad football players.

anonymous
:)

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Wine and Water

Recently, a group of highly respected scientists performed 2 strictly controlled experiments at WE-BS'n. In the first of these *double blind controlled studies, participating scientists discovered that if they drank 1 liter of common drinking water per day, at the end of a years time, they would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli bacteria (E.coli) into their bodies. This bacterium is commonly found in feces. Translated, this means that in drinking one liter of water a day they were consuming approximately 1 kilo of poo poo....

In the second, strictly controlled *double blind experiment, another group of participating scientists discovered that upon drinking 1 liter of red wine (or beer or Tequila, Rum, Vodka, Whiskey or other Liquor) a day, they did not encounter the same risks involved with drinking water because alcohol has to go through a special, highly controlled, age old purification process consisting of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Thus, no poop. Furthermore, the majority of the participating scientists in this 2nd experiment discovered an inner, spiritual awakening during the tests. Oh, and they often spoke to God the day after for some unknown reason....


Conclusion of the Study:
Water = Poop, Wine = Health, Spirituality

Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,
than to drink water and be full of crap.

Quoting Ben Franklin: “In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.

Moral of the story? Drink more wine....

This public service message brought to you by JBM
*Double blind=both eyes were closed
:)

Monday, February 11, 2008

Sad


Bride dies during marriage's first dance...

DAVIE, Fla. - Kim Sjostrom wanted a real-life version of the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which played in the background as friends fixed her hair and makeup before her own marriage ceremony.

But less than an hour after she and Teddy Efkarpides were wed, Sjostrom crumpled in her husband's arms during a Greek song that means "Love Me."

At 36, Sjostrom was dead from heart disease.

During the couple's first dance, Sjostrom complained of being lightheaded. Efkarpides thought his wife, a diabetic, needed sugar, but she collapsed.

Wedding guests, paramedics and doctors at a nearby hospital were unable to revive her.

She had a previous cardiac episode in her 20s and was a poster child — literally — for juvenile diabetes, relatives and friends said. Efkarpides recalled seeing the poster featuring her on New York subways.

He consoles himself by reading a list of "101 Reasons Why I Love You" that Sjostrom gave him their first Christmas together. "Number 1. You make me smile."

No. 98 is especially difficult: "You're the one I want to grow old with."
:(

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Donut Hole

I heard, the other day, where....

Optimists see the donut, Pessimists see the hole.

Which are you?

I'll take the donut ....
:)

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Burning Spears

Ok, so I’m sure some of you have read where Britney Spears has been committed to a hospital for “mental observations.” And, I’m sure most people fall into one or the other camps of view- good riddance or she deserves it or who cares!– concerning her commitment. (these are the printable camps!) On the other hand, I feel compassion for her. That right, COMPASSION.

Real compassion, not that fake stuff a certain president lied about in 2000.

A real compassion, without reciprocal, for a fellow being.

How, you might ask can anyone feel compassion for this person? I mean, have you not seen all the antics and screw ups that have been reported in the media throughout her career? How could you have compassion for a “thing” like this?

It’s really quite simple. No matter your opinion about Spears and how deserving it may be, beyond all the glitter and bad hair cuts is a person: a person who is trying to find her way on this earth, a person with a soul who is searching for the way-just like you and me. Look behind the mask and you will see the soul, a soul just like yours and mine, on its own redemptive path. Deep inside, rich or poor, famous or anonymous, we are all the same but it’s the paths that we have taken that are different. The goals are the same, just the path varies for all of us.

Regardless of what you may think of her personally (I could care less about her music and personal life antics), she is still a person and I have compassion for most people. I see a person who is lost, lost along the way and needs some help... real help. We all need some help along this difficult journey that we have undertaken in this earthly realm. We all get lost at some point and need help getting back on track or in finding the way.

Sometimes, the bigger you are, the harder you fall. Spears was given a gift just as all of us have given one and perhaps she has made some bad decisions, with her gift, along the way. Who hasn’t? Who are we to judge? We do not know what her soul is trying to accomplish or what past Karmas she is facing and trying to overcome. He who has not made some regrettable decisions in life, he who is perfect may cast the first stone for I shall not.

Who knows, she may be at a turning point in her life: with the right decisions and proper help, she can obtain great growth. This could be her chance. She would not be the first person to make a change. On the other hand, with the wrong moves, she will fail and further create bad karma.

Such is it with our soul and this magical, mysterious journey through life on earth.

:)

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

We are the change

"Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time," Obama told supporters. "We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

This quote can also be applied to all of us seeking.....
:)

Monday, February 4, 2008

Good Karma

I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R A GOOD L I F E

1. Great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
Respect for self,
Respect for others and
Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate
steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone, by yourself, every day.
9. Keep your mind open to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for a good life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the
current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. The best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up
in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

20. Be yourself.
:) anonymous

Thursday, January 31, 2008

What it is

What you make it
it is
and
it is what you think it
what is thought
and
it will always be
that thought action
and
the action, it always will be
what you thought
and
what you think it is
is what you make it
it will always be
until
YOU think other

Think about it...
:-)

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Without dreams.

One of the most common questions asked when discussing a person’s life or his future is, “What are your dreams?” Most people answer with “to be rich”, “to be a doctor”, “to live on a beach in Tahiti” or “to save the whales”, for example. We have been told to “dream big” by society.

“What are your goals, your aspirations; YOUR DREAMS….” You must have one, right?

What if a person does not have such grandiose plans or dreams? Is he lost? Is he a loser? Will he never be happy without such pretentious plans or dreams? Does one really need to have such dreams in order to live or to be considered a success? What is a person without dreams? Why must we have them? Is it to make us feel good or is it to impress others? Is it for motivational purposes? Are dreams necessary for our psyche? Why? What if a person is living for survival, daily survival, that is? Does he really have time for a dream?

I know a person who has no such dreams; no illusions to pick him up or to drag him down. No such plans that could potentially become a future “failure” if not realized. When he starts to even think about a dream, it is automatically squashed with the “forget it, it will never happen” thought. He is not a sad person. In fact, he is always happy and always sees life in a positive light. He just doesn’t have any dreams: never had a chance to dream due to his early life conditions. Perhaps as a young man he had dreams but upon joining adulthood, he realized that his chances for his dreams coming true were nil. It was too much of a battle to just “survive” life and its challenges. THAT became his dream: to survive. Does he wish he had goals or dreams to reach for? Or even A dream, just one? Yes but he will not let a lack of dreams bring him down. He accepts life as it was given to him. He is playing his cards to the best of his capabilities. He accepts himself as he is.

Am I worse off than others who dream of the moon but settle for the stars? I live day to day: not eyeing the future, not contemplating the past but living for today - everyday.

I am living in the NOW...without dreams.
:)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

simple pleasures

Remember,
life's most simple pleasures
are very often the best.

:)

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Blinded by the light...

Staring into the light
for answers can cause one to go blind
blind to the everyday realities of the physical world
while becoming trapped on the highway to the inner realities of the soul search

Once trapped, the outer world becomes but a blur, a myth
a myth considered reality by the masses but a dream to the few
the few who see differently think differently
and feel other

Others will not understand and will cast a concerned eye
concerning the lack of urgency to their real world for
their real world is no longer our priority as
the priority has become the search for the other
and the other is not understood by the masses,
thus one may feel lost and perhaps confused
confused by the newfound knowledge within which fuels further quests and conflicts
conflicting with the old everyday decision making
new decisions evolving that will not make sense to the many
but to the few
the few who have become fixated by the light of this knowledge
a knowledge that begets more answers that require yet unknown questions
that can only become by looking beyond
beyond the signs, missed and seen, heard and felt that are within us but
also manifest outside us

The journey outside, is of infinity inside
begins with the first step
over and over and over
for answers do not the questions but beget new answers
we believe in yet cannot fully understand
into the light we may fear
fears unfounded for in the light is found
our map a map to what? Peace?
what, we don’t know, yet we do
forgotten what we do know
puts us on the path a new old life path
pointing to the past parlaying into the future

With this quest now a part of us
active days are replaced by sleepless nights
seeing with the heart and feeling with the eyes
ways not accepted on everyday earth but
ways slowly bringing joy, hope and peace to us

Thus, we have joy for what we have found
what has become a part of us and will always be
of what we cannot ignore cannot turn away from
of believing in what cannot be fully understood
but we also have frustration
for we may feel alone in this journey and misunderstood
by others who are near and dear
but not on the same path although
they are passengers, albeit lost, with us in our journey
a journey to which
to find the answers we are willing to be
blinded by the light…


The blind man sees what
The seeing man is blind to


:)

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

According to....2

Outside of a dog,
a book is a man's best friend.
Inside of a dog,
it's too dark to read.
---Groucho MARX
:)

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Blumner link

Added a new link...

Robyn Blumner. She is a Columnist/Editorial Writer for the StPetersburgTimes in Florida. She writes in a good, common sense, "liberal" tone about the state of people and the world today. Check it out, you might enjoy her articles. I know I do!

:)

Move on to 2008

To bring in 2008

As usual, many people will begin 2008 by pledging to stop something personal. That may be to stop smoking, or to eat healthier or to lose weight. These time honored commitments, however honestly attempted, are rarely followed through to a positive conclusion. There is a better way.

The best way to bring in 2008 is to let go of 2007. However, before letting go, take the time now to reflect back on 2007.

First, look at the “negatives”. What went wrong? What bad decisions were made? What bad moves were made? What would you do over if you had the chance to change something? Now I believe that we make the best decisions possible at the time based on our situation, so I don’t necessarily consider them “bad” choices. On the other hand, looking back at our choices, we can always find decisions made that upon reflecting on them, were not the wisest choices made and we would change them if we could. But we can’t. Let’s call them “learning lessons” and I, personally, have had many learning lessons! We all do. That’s life. That’s being human.

Next, to end the backview on a positive note, look at all the good things that happened to you in 2007. Look at all the positive choices and decisions you made that turned out for the better. I’m sure there are many of them too. Take the time to reflect on and enjoy them. Even the littlest of choices can have major impacts on our lives so enjoy the smallest and simplest of these choices. Remember, you could have chosen the opposite route. Be proud of the good decisions you made.
So, that’s it. Very simply put: leaf back through the book called 2007. What went wrong and what went right. Bad choices and Good decisions. Look good, hard and HONESTLY at them. Learn from the mistakes and build on the positives. Then turn the page. End of chapter. MOVE ON!

These same lessons can be applied to our daily lives. At the end of everyday, reflect honestly on what you did and the choices made. Learn from the mistakes and build on the positives. Remember, we are only human. Then turn the page on the day, put it behind you and MOVE ON!
:)

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