Too Much or Not Enough?

Google Images

During the holiday season, when the custom of giving gifts is popular, the belief that "Blessed are those who give, for they shall receive sevenfold," seems so appropriate.  There seems to be a blessing in return that comes from giving to and sharing with others. At the same time, the custom often makes us look at our “status” and financial position as we calculate what is affordable as gifts. Will that recipient think less of you if you spend $10 less for that generic brand as opposed to a brand name? How does it make you feel if you have $10 less to your name?

During this time we will find ourselves with questions about what we have because our possessions can hold us back upon the way to perfection if we have so many that they consume our time taking care of them. What happens to your feeling of abundance when you think you must guard what you have instead of sharing? This feeling of guarding your possessions may disengage you from the flow of abundance

So, ask yourself, would it be better to share what you have? Having "things" is so much engrained in our consumer mentality that we might find it an unusual thought to consider "sharing" what we have with others… but it can, no, it should be done, and done happily.

People are taught to consider possessing an abundance of "things" to be a sign of success.  Thus, we have the bumper stickers that say:  "He who dies with the most toys WINS!"  Really? Life is a game? What is the prize?

With wisdom we are shown that the person who is the wealthiest does not want for more, regardless of how much or how little he has.  Whereas the poor man has a plethora of "wants" and feels the lack of his desires.

Of these two individuals, who is the happiest?  Who has the most well-being?

Which one would YOU rather be?

It's worth thinking about…

Next, let’s talk about gratitude………

 

Truly Despicable!

Fox News


Despite silence from many religious leaders, I feel impelled to publicly decry the current policy (it is not the law) that has been implemented by this current President and his administration that results in innocent children, children of all ages and many national origins, being forcefully, physically separated from their parents and/or guardians.

It is my understanding that the illegal crossing of the national border is a misdemeanor offense at worse and a non-offense if the act involved the request of asylum in the United States. Imagine being pulled over for speeding and having your child taken as a result. No child should be used as a negotiation tool at any level. Our immigration policy is in need of an overhaul, complete overhaul, including border security along with the “legal” process of obtaining citizenship. However, this method of forcing change reeks of prejudicial treatment. Condemned by the UN committee for Human Rights, so, we will just leave the committee. How can we as a country then pass judgment on other countries for their inhumane policies and acts? Where does the line get drawn? (Never mind, we can just erase that line, too). We are sinking fast to the ranks of third-world countries when it comes to our political morals and ethics.

What is sadder is the acceptance and support of an egotistical man-child who has empathy only for his bank accounts. He acts like the world is the school yard and if he does not get his way he will either take his ball and go home or bribe the kids with a chocolate bar (aka money). The majority of Americans did not vote for him, despite his many claims. Did he win fairly via the Electoral College? Per the Constitution, yes, he did. (Russian influence or not) So where are all the non-followers? Where is the Congressional action? They have become enablers, just like his cronies. No checks and balances are in play.

Follow the money, as it usually answers so many questions, particularly the “why”. This money trail leads to ransom being paid for the release of the children in return for the coveted “wall”. Is that how real politics works?

Being in my senior years I cannot help but wonder wonder what the reactions would have been if this occurred in the 1960s and '70s. Action in any non-violent legal form at any level is needed to halt or redirect this maniacal regime. Enable or intervene?

The Language of Love

                                                                                                                Google Images

The following was given to me by a friend with a request to post on his behalf. Please give it a read and feel free to leave some feedback. and, as always, don't forget to click that "Follow"button. Thanks!

Dear Heart!

In this day and era of 2018, we are experiencing the most aggressive changes we have ever seen.  We have witnessed technology take a step forward very quickly. We have witnessed moral values shift to a completely new set off rules and regulations. The mass media is trying to adapt and never before has the stress that steams from these changes affected our children as intensely.

One might ask, if these changes are for the better, or if they are for the worst. Opinions are divided and I have personally witnessed us abandoning our outdoors plans and enrolling in more activities within the four walls we live in! The natural balance has been disturbed by many and with no intention of trying to get it back. Mistakes are a part of being human, they are needed to promote self growth. However, we are suppose to learn from them, and then, embrace the positive changes that are innate.

 I would like to take this chance to send love and blessings to all those out there, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, as everyone is be entitled to they liberty of expression, thought and belief. Many of us suffer on a daily basis as the society standards of “normal” and of “acceptable” are changing at the speed of light, much too fast for us to keep up. Some develop an emotional type of depression that will end up becoming a vicious cycle of lack of self esteem, a loss of courage, as we become beings that are lost, unbalanced and not even aware of everything that makes us unique. We think our qualities are flaws and all our efforts will never be good enough for us to be recognized as a valuable individual, special and Irreplaceable. My advice would be, look in the mirror, the fact alone that no one else looks like you makes you special and unique. Let that sink in if you feel it is a good idea to do so.
   
Let us all practice forgiveness, let’s love those who love us, and love the ones who criticize us even more, as they hide they own feelings of inadequacy by bullying their peers, their sadness, their loss of hope, take a toll on who they are meant to be. They are suffering, too, and maybe more than what we ever could imagine. Some things are easier said than done but with the proper discipline they are possible. There are very little things we cannot achieve if we have the compatible mindset. Once again, YOU are special, YOU are unique. Let that sink in, if you deem it important.

We might all be different in color, gender, and even nationality, but we should never forget we all have access to a universal language, the one we receive as babies, as we grow up…

Please do not allow yourself to forget this language:

The Language of Love & Forgiveness

Anonymous
   

   

Man's Inhumanity to Man

The phrase "Man's Inhumanity to Man" is first documented in the Robert Burns poem called Man was made to mourn: A Dirge in 1784. It is possible that Burns reworded a similar quote from Samuel von Pufendorf who in 1673 wrote, "More inhumanity has been done by man himself than any other of nature's causes."

In the U.S., overall violent crime levels were pushed upward in 2016 in part by the increase in killings in some major cities such as Chicago. That city saw a drop in both murders and shootings in 2017, according to Chicago police statistics.
What happened in other big cities last year varied across the country. New York City saw a remarkable drop in murders, shootings and crime, with all three numbers continuing to decline.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, had 317 homicide victims last year, up from 277 the year before. Baltimore ended 2017 with a record-setting 343 homicides, prompting the city's mayor to abruptly replace the police commissioner amid increasing pressure to combat the crime there.

Even though some big cities were still seeing more violence in 2017 than the year before, the Brennan Center for Justice said in an analysis last month that it expected the overall crime rate and violent crime rate in the country's largest cities to decline slightly. Mass shootings, however, especially in schools, continue to rise at a meteoric rate.

What is the root cause of man's inhumanity to man? According to Michael Mason, there are several misconceptions that cause man’s inhumanity to man:

1. Ego identification: we often view ourselves as are our ego. How many disputes between individuals and nations stem from our ego need to be right? This causes endless disputes from quarrels between loved ones to wars between nations. Our ego is the the adversary. If there is a devil, it is our uncontrolled ego.

2. Individualist mentality and separation: We see ourselves as being separate from everyone and everything. ("We Are All One" @ http://liomsaland.blogspot.com/2015/10/we-are-all-one.html) How can we do unto others what we would not have other do unto us?

3. Lack of self-knowledge: We believe that we die. ("Who are You?" @ http://liomsaland.blogspot.com/2015/12/hello-who-are-you.html) This stems from the perception that we are our body. We perceive incorrectly everything and every one outside of ourselves as separate from ourselves. This is because we limit our perception to our physical senses: sight, sound, smell, and touch. These senses tell us, incorrectly, that there is physical space between ourselves and others. Therefore we are obviously separate individuals. Based on the limitations of our physical senses we behave accordingly. We categorize and separate into categories and subcategories that are almost endless: individuals, family, siblings, mates, relatives, friends, neighbors, religious groups, ethnicity, members of our city, state, country, language, professions, gender, age groups, hobbies, belief systems, and on and on. Labels that are stereotypical and misleading at best. Labels that separate us rather than unite us in our commonality. (http://liomsaland.blogspot.com/2017/08/during-these-times-of-internal-conflict.html)

4. Bravado: We lack the fear of pain, fear of failure. Ultimately, all fear boils down to fear of death. This gives us a false sense of security and and invites us to carry those chips on our shoulders.

5. Supply and demand: there is a belief that there is not enough for everyone: not enough food, not enough money, not enough resources, not enough space, housing, healthcare, medicine, clean water, clean air, clothing. This list goes on and puts us immediately in a fight for survival mode, us vs them. One counter measure, the "Universal Law", states that to give is to receive. It is our willingness to give what we wish to receive that keeps the abundance of our existence circulating in our lives.

We can overcome all these short-comings. A start is to return to the so-called lesson of the "golden rule". To do so, however, others must not be really perceived as others”, but, in truth, another part of you. Then the golden rule can be perceived as it was meant to be perceived: do unto that part of you what you would do unto this part of you.

As you perceive the person with whom you are having a dispute with, imagine perceiving the spark of divinity that is the true essence of that person, for Deity is in all of us. As you perceive that spark of divinity, imagine that it is connected to your spark of divinity by an indestructible golden energy beam. Then imagine a powerful magnet that instantly pulls the two sparks together, eliminating the concept of duality as you become one powerful spark of divinity, becoming one with that person and no longer perceiving them as separate, understanding them and their perspective.

Peace and Blessings as you contemplate your daily actions and interactions relative to the ideal of world peace and harmony.