Insane by association

The computer is a wonderful thing. It creates a huge cut in time and space. It can make communication very quick and very easy. Email now does what snail mail used to do. Entire businesses are run on the computer. People also run their social lives as well on computer too. The computer is a blessing and a curse at the same time. I have experienced both sides of this techno-coin. The good the bad and the truly ugly.

I enjoy doing research on the computer and learning about topics of interest and I have met probably one good friend by having a computer. But it is amazing the kinds of folks you 'meet' on the computer. But life has a way of educating us mortals in very strange ways. About 10 years ago I discovered the computer and the magical qualities of 'meeting' people on line. The people you meet on line live ordinary lives with every day experiences and joys and issues. But when some people get on their computers, we witness a transformation or a piece of their life that is totally isolated from their every day lives. It is like walking into a surreal world where everyone is transformed into something else. What is even more scarier is that it begins to happen to YOU!

Years ago, I discovered the unbelievable world of e-groups. E-groups is like falling down a very twisted rabbit hole, where you 'meet' everyone from the Queen of Hearts to the door mouse. I fell down the dark hole and before I knew it, I was lost! Lost in a world where people's identity are as amoebic and changeable as ingredients in a high school lab's test tube. What is scary is I began to lose my own sense of healthy self to fit in and became like the rest of the members of the e-tea party.

The e-tea party consisted of some pretty interesting guests. One guest was a self proposed expert on her subject. There were very few back in those years who would contest or challenge her. She wielded her power with a strong severe arm. On the surface she appeared very knowledgeable on her subject and very articulate when other guests at the tea party would inquire for inside information about her subject. Inwardly she appeared to be seeking self worth through her 'role' as the font of information. How we all held her in esteem for her knowledge and articulation. Seated not far form this guest was a another articulate soul who had a zest for emoting and expressing herself. She was wonderfully dramatic with her self expression. Another one was an older guest, who, one would think, would be a character of wisdom and grace. Sadly, she was a soul filled with fear and bitterness in her written words. Still another guest professed to be close to the queen of hearts when the queen of hearts was fully intent to make sure this guest's head was cut off. This guest still lives with the fantasy that she is beloved by the queen of hearts. But alas the queen and her henchmen are very aware of this guest and is on the watch of her. The queen keeps watch on all her guests. There are other numerous guests who posed to be the house keeper of the queen of hearts, while others hid in other identities. What is so amazing is how these guests would go about ready to act in the queen's behalf to cut off other guests heads when the queen herself couldn't be any more less concerned with who's heads were cut off and whose weren't. Make no mistake though, the queen had her own list of heads she wanted removed! The funny thing is, MOST of the guests I have 'encountered' at the e-tea party are on the queen's list! Oy Vey, and to think, I stayed wayyyyy tooo long at this affair. God help me! He surely has!

As time when on I found that these tea party guests were on several of the e-groups of which I was a member. I experienced more and more strange behavior as time went by. After a while I began to observe behavior that was acted out in fear and jealousies to the hurt and detriment of others. Red Flags went up in my mind's eye but being lost down this e rabbit hole, I chose to ignore them. What is scary most of all was that I had become a 'guest' I didn't like! The tea party of the e-groups became more and more infectious and one who remains at the table of these groups becomes more and more intoxicated to the point there is a loss of conscious health. I too became lost in the fear, jealousies and then no healthier than the rest of the guests.

Like the wale throwing up Jonah onto dry land, I was thrown up out of the dark belly of e-groups. I am glad to be on healthy dry land again.
I now stand with health and make some observations. First to say, that the e-group tea party guests might be totally different than the characters they portray in cyberspace, but who knows for sure. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. But with in the surreal world of the Internet, people become crazy! My self included. I did not like the person I had become down that dark, dank rabbit hole. But when one is down there in the darkness, one begins to fail to see what is sanity and what is not.

It is easy to be something your are not in cyberspace. It can appear safe to hide behind a persona out of fear or for what ever reasons. I learned that for some people who haven't found self value it is easier for them to live in world of their own invention. I think while the computer is a great place for research and learning it makes one hell of a bad place to socialize. I learned a great lesson, the computer is NOT a place to 'meet' people for any significant deep friendships. There is an old expression that goes "A place for everything and everything in it's place." It is very applicable here. True close friends are found in real life, not in cyberspace. I doubt I will be swallowed up by an E-Whale or venture down a cyberspace rabbit hole in the near or distant future.

Do Animals have souls?

Yes, yes! And again I say YES. You know, I think there are people who have the wrong idea when it comes to how to relate to animals. They think animals are just animals to be worked, fed and at the disposal of the pleasure of a human. They are of the school that human kind has dominance over the rest of creation. If the word dominion from the Bible is translated it does not mean dominance, rather, to work with and take care of the rest of creation. If we go on the premise that there is a Divine Creator who brought all of creation in to being putting himself in all aspects of creation, then it would follow logic all of creation has a soul and it is up to us mere mortals to nurture and care for the rest of the Divine creation.

Before I go any further, one would have to have a working definition of just what a soul is. According to Mr. Webster of Dictionary fame, a soul is the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life. Mr. Webster goes on to talk about the spiritual aspect of human beings, that all of us were given, ( Sadly, not all of us tap into wonderful aspect of who we are, but that is for another blog entry!) According to this definition one would see that there is soul in all creatures.

I don't need Mr. Webster to convince me much that animals truly do have souls. There have been countless stories written in books and even videos on line that show absolute evidence that animals have souls. There is one video that comes to mind, where there were two men who raised a lion and then the lion was taken to a zoo or a place where he could run free and enjoy his new environment. the small video showed a most touching reunion between the two men and the lion. Watching the lion running toward his two former care takers is so touching. To say the lion hugged the two men, is an understatement. The joy of all three was so beautiful to see. If nothing else, this video does show that animals have memory and emotions. There are countless stories like this and you see wonderful stories about this sort of thing on ANIMAL PLANET. Check out the show Growing Up............ In this show you see how human's and baby animals bond. One cannot bond without a soul.

One story I can attest to animals having souls occured about a year ago. Two years ago, after my cat died, I was sitting at my computer when I felt a push on my chair. It felt like Chessie was right there demanding my attention away from the computer and wanting me to lavish my love on him. When I looked down, there was no one there. But maybe there was! Yes, I believe there was, it was Chessie saying 'Hey! I am still here!' If this isn't evidence of animals having souls, I don't know what is.

That story sparks a memory out of my childhood how animals come to the protection of others. Way back about 100 years ago when I was a teenager, we had a Siamese Cat. He was a beautiful blue point and always indoors. One afternoon, Jinx decided he wanted to seek freedom outside of the shelter of our house. The day he chose to make his escape couldn't have been worse. For at that particular time when he ventured forth, there were a few dogs outside on the lawn. Imagine my fear when I watched Jinx running outside with a dog right on his tail. But to my amazement the neighbor's dog, Blackie, a beautiful sweet even tempered lab came to Jinx's rescue. Blackie diverted the other dog's attention, just in the nick of time. I scooped up Jinx and immediately took him back indoors. Blackie had a loving soul of an old wise momma. She was a very sweet loving dog that had a very nurturing nature about her. Everyone in the neighborhood loved her.

I still say we humans have a lot to learn from our fellow creatures, from cats, dogs, camels, birds, turtles, and all the rest. Animals never kill for the sport and fun of it. It is usually because they are hungry or feeling threatened. How many folks go hunting just for sport of it and then proudly have their picture taken of their killing. Is this not barbaric? Can you see a huge moose proudly showing you his field with a human head tacked up on the barn wall? I don't think so.

How about the animals who take in other small animals of a different species. YouTube has a load of those too! Recently I saw one where a woman had a place for elephants to roam. The elephants were all paired off. One particular couple was an elephant who had a companion you would never think would want to be around her. Her best buddy was a dog. They were everywhere together on that huge field. One day the dog got paralized and was taken into the house. The elephant remaind close to the house all through the time the dog was convolescing in the house. Eventually the woman brought out the dog so the odd couple could see one another. Both lit up when they saw one another and slowly but surely the dog recouperated and both were reunited once again out on the field. Elephant and Dog remain close playmates and companions to this day. If that isn't evidence of animals having souls, then well, heck, I am a monkey's aunt!

God bless the animals. They have much to give us, teach us and enrich us. And as far as this human animal is concerned, there are times, I would welcome a dog's cat's company far more over human's! But then again thank God for all the good human's too in my life.

The picture in ths entry shows just how much Cats can stand their own ground. Dog and Cat are fine and living together peacefully.

Addiction wears many coats

We live in a society that has long bought the ticket of feeling like we are 'entitled to what ever we want, when we want it.' You can see evidence of this everywhere from driving on a freeway, to customers making demands on sales associates and other people in service roles. We are a demanding lot; GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO ME NOW. The perception of how this energy affects another is buried in the concept of one's fear of not getting for themselves. This is expressed in all aspects of our world now.

It is profoundly expressed in the world of fandom. Yeah, I am talking about celebrity worship by fans who can be as benign as those who frequent shows once a year to those who have spent fortunes, going into debt seeing the same show over and over, year after year, month after month. Others purchase just about every conceivable item that is connected with the idol of their admiration. I was definitely NOT prepared for what I observed on the internet with regard to fan behavior.

Fan behavior is not so unusual but it is certainly fits in the category of addiction in its own unique place. All of us walking on the planet want to feel special, acknowledged in some way or another by those who we put in a high regard. That is natural. It is part of the psychological development of people to want to feel special. Some of us receive it from family, by one or both parents instilling in us that we are loved and valued as children. Some who don't get that from home might get it from a teacher or a friend growing up. Other's still might be able to see and develop their talents and skills and feel a sense of value through that. All of us get it from somewhere to some degree or another. But what I have discovered about fans on line is that there are many fans, who surely appear to have missed the message that they are valuable. I am not talking about casual fans, I am talking about die hard, lost in their celebrity worship addiction.

I have observed fans who build up their idol to such a degree that they want to make a connection with their hero (disregarding and healthy boundaries), either by meeting them over and over, attempting to contact them privately, or going through the mental acrobatics to make sure they are present when their object of worship is walking out of a restaurant or going into one. There is a fan who ran a fan club at one time who kept a signed item that was to be auctioned off for a charity. Another fan was so bold as to travel to their idol's home to take pictures of service delivery trucks driving up the driveway. Another fan stalked her idol in an outside shop and took pictures from a distance. Still another fan offered unsolicited (not so) helpful advice as to how to run the public relations aspect of a celebrity's career. To an extreme some celebrities died because of an over enthusiastic fan, i.e. the gal who played the sister of the actress who played Mindy in Mork and Mindy. That is an example of someone wanting a connection so much from a celebrity, they lost all sense of decency. Pretty scary. Thank God, this doesn't happen all that often, but it happens enough that most celebrities hire HUGE security beefy types for protection.

Another aspect of fan addiction is exhibited in how fans treat fellow fans. The compulsion not to be out done runs rampant in the fan world. The addiction or need to feel special by gaining the adulation by other fans can be so overwhelming that there is a competition among them. There is nothing wrong with competition in of itself, but what one competes for dictates some competition as being unhealthy. What I am talking about is the harsh treatment and judgement fans have for one another. It almost is raised to the level of contempt. And sadly the behavior among fans reduces down to middle aged people behaving like school yard bullies. This behavior occurs all in the name of addiction and the gross perception of feeling undervalued.

One could write a doctorate thesis on fanatical behavior with celebrities' fans and I am sure it isn't so simplistic, but if you reduce all of this behavior to it's lowest common denominator you get the bottom line: People want to feel special, and when they don't they can go off on some pretty sad extremes to try to find that 'special' feeling or value. It is kind of sad when I think about it. One of the saddest things about fan worshipping celebrities is that the object of their adulation couldn't give one darn about these fans on a personal level. Not one iota! The fans are a means to an end. The celebrity sells a product, the product is entertainment. The fan buys it and enjoys a show, and if the fan is like any of the examples stated above, they want more, because they are addiction to wanting that 'feel special' feeling and will break any boundary to get it. How sad.

How sad! True sense of value comes from within a power that NO celebrity can give. Celebrities are only human with the same frailties and foibles we all have. But that is how it is with addiction, we cannot see just how valuable we really are when we are asleep in unconsciousness. Addiction blinds us to our true value. Lost in the addiction of celebrity worship closes off the portal to the true divine. And the really paradoxical thing is, in the eyes of the divine NO ONE is better than the next. We are all on the same footing because the divine looks at the heart, not all the outer stuff that we will have to let go of when we pass through to the next dimension.

Finding LIFE at a funeral

One place you wouldn't expect to find or feel life is at a funeral or planning of one. I have say that was not my experience over this weekend. I was called during the week to perform a memorial service for a lovely woman who lived a full life with a loving twin sister, loving husband, two lovely daughters and a pretty little 11 year old granddaughter. This experience was so sweet serving this family, that I felt I was given a shot of life just to help them and be there for them before and during the service.

This was a woman who dearly loved her family and was by nature a quiet but strong presence for her family. She also had a streak of passion for life riding on a Harley Davidson cycle with her husband. I thought that was so cool and cute how a good wife, mom, and grandma who could step out of her quiet mild manner and travel with her husband on a cycle. She was a spiritual shepherd who traveled the world literally but always had time to tend a rose garden and take care of her darling sweet family.

I just knew I was sincerely called by God to be there for this family at this time of mourning. We all just connected. I listened to all that they wanted and what they had to share with their family on the phone two days before the memorial service. I listened and counseled them on the phone and it felt great to help this very loving family. I wanted to give them a service that would touch their hearts and bring them as much comfort as could be in a situation of loss.

Here is where I do believe God has a hand in people's lives and actuall from time to time in mine when I am present to it. The service was very sweet. The right things were spoken and the family was pleased. I felt good to be able to provide comfort and service to a very appreciative family. Out of a tragedy, a family found comfort and I felt useful. This is truly how God incarnates in the world with us humans. And to be a part of that and share love and care is everything in life.

There is a movie called Ghost, with Patrick Swayze, seems like I like him! and in the end when Sam Wheet his character finally goes to his resting place, after he put things right from the events that killed him, he speaks to his girlfriend who is still living. "Molly it is so beautiful, you take the love with you." And it is true, when people can put aside the fear, anxiety and greed and see how we were truly meant to be, we DO take the love with us, all through this life and in to the next.

Little People BIG world

Several months ago, I discovered a very interesting television show on the LEARNING CHANNEL called Little People BIG WORLD. It is a reality show about the Roloff family. Matt and Amy are little people who are married with four children, three are average size while one is small. I started watching this show on Monday nights and got hooked on it. I never knew anything about little people except for what I saw in movies like the Wizard of Oz, stuff like that. But I have to say this show really has opened my eyes to what little people have to deal with in an averaze sized world. From driving a car to cooking in an average standard sized kitchen and many more, little people do NOT have it easy.

What I find inspiring about this family is that, they don't let anything get them down. Matt, the father and husband had a really physically difficult childhood. He was in the hospital a lot during his young years. He had so many surgeries as a child. The good thing is that his parents Ron and Peggy Roloff always treated him and his brothers lovingly and supportively as well as saying to them they could accomplish what ever they wanted in life and overcome obstacles.

Matt took that advice very seriously, discovered his talents for software and creating a great farm to raise his kids. He is giving his kids everything he missed out on when he was a child. I love it. Gotta respect him.

His wife Amy is very different than he is in that while he is the dreamer she is the practical one who keeps Matt grounded. It is so neat to watch them relate to one another as a couple. They are a perfect match. Matt is not perfect, he is somewhat of a control freak. I love watching his kids who love him, rebel against this controlling side of him. Amy is a great mother, she is a real 'soccer mom.' I LOVE watching this family. I have watched them go on a gator boat trip, fly in some space type of thingy, traveling to different states lecturing, and shopping with their kids, to attending sports events their kids participate in.

I find this family inspirational. They give everything they can in life a shot. How can you not be inspired by that kind of attitude. I don't even notice much that they are little people. They are just people trying to get through the obstacles and joys of life. Heck, aren't we all? What I love about them is that they approach everything with a GO FOR IT attitude. They admit when they are scared at stuff. Recently I watched from 2006 an episode where the family swung from a cable from one point to another and Matt was really scared to do it. He didn't want to do it at first but then changed his mind so he could show his kids that he could over come his fear. He did it. And his family supported him for doing it. It was so nice to see that.

I will continue to watch the further adventures of the Roloffs because they are an inspiration. I am for any shows that offer hope and family values. The older I get the less rebellious I become and sound like and old foaggy. God bless the Roloffs and God bless TLC for airing their lives with all of us in TV Land ( not the channel)

I love cats! I have always had cats. Cats have a lot to each us about life. My last cat died at 19 years old. he would have lived longer but he had renal failure for 8 years and I had to give him fluids to keep him going. He looked sort of like this poly dactyl here. Chessie was a saint. He put up with all the medical treatments. He taught me how to learn 'his language and to be patient with things and creatures different than myself. What I am saying is that he taught me to LISTEN. We humans are quick to speak and give thoughts and opinions but are very slow to listen. When I mean listen I am not just talking about words but to hear what people and creatures are NOT saying. Listening is an art that the world tramples over so much. If people listened to the hearts of other people and yes, even animals, we would have a safer world. But sadly fear takes over and people jump to sad and a lot of the times wrong conclusions about people and life. I have been guilty of this myself too many times than I would like to admit. My goal is to be a better listener to what life is speaking to me. I think and believe the universe is a great school of learning and too many times we blind outselves by fear and addictions.

My husband and I are members of the Living Desert and we go alot to observe the animals. My favorites are all the different cats, servals, sand cats, leopards, cheetahs, also giraffs and believe it or not camels. I love to watch them. Animals live totally in the present. They don't worry about the past. They do not fret over the future. They live in the present. I am learning there is SO much in the present. When I can let go of the past and not anticipate the future I learn I can be in touch with all of life right in the present moment. I can't believe how rich life is when we are present in the moment. This is partly what Chessie and all the critters in the Living Desert are teaching me. All of creation is connected and we can fully participate and see that when living in the total moment. Look at this poly dactyl here, He is so engrossed in drinking the water. His life is full right in that moment. How precious! I am grateful God created cats. They have much to teach me. God bless my Chessie.

Reflections on Patrick Swayze's life

This is my first attempt at writing a blog. I have read numerous ones and thought I would give it a try for the fun of it. Just recently I watched an 8 minute interview with Patrick Swayze with his lovely wife Lisa. He has four stage cancer. As I watched this video, my heart went out to him. He appears to be a genuine person who is not afraid to show his emotions, his love for his father and his wife. I loved seeing that. He spoke of his admiration for his father, which touched me a lot because I adored my father. My father taught me indirectly what unconditional love was all about. That isn't to say we didn't have our share of disagreements. But He loved me with an unconditional love that I will always take with me. I am grateful for that.

As I watched the short interview I was again touched by that scene in Ghost at the end where Patrick says to Molly; "You take the love with you." and that gave me pause to think, that is truly the most important thing in life. True it is important to accomplish and achieve things in life. But it is so important to give love to those around you too. I truly believe when you die that is the ONLY thing you take with you; the love you have for others. That is truly what makes life worth living. Loving and giving of that love to other people no matter how small the gesture to how large. It doesn't matter.

What I hope I can write here is how I have been inspired and how other people have touched my life. It is my prayer that I can touch other people's life in a way that is positive and helpful in some small way.