It becomes heavier with time....

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralysed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralysed – incapable of doing anything.

"It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to always put the glass down!

Hyperseeing from the Towers of Babel by Jill Carattini

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.....Matt 13:13


On the influence of media and technology, discussions abound. “Is Google making us stupid?” “Is Twitter bad for the soul?” “Is Facebook changing the way we relate?”(1) In fact, there seems a recent upsurge in articles questioning our faltering minds, morals, and communities (ironically reaching us through the very mediums that are blamed for it). Some note the shifting of thought patterns, attention spans that are beginning to prefer 140 characters or less, information gluttony, news addiction, and so on.

In fact, there is good reason, I think, to step away from the torrent surges of information and hyper-networking to think meaningfully about how it all might be changing us—for good and for ill. For with every new improvement and invention irrefutably comes gain and loss. And just as quickly as I can build a case against the gods of media-and-technology, I can also double check my footnotes on Google, find twenty additional perspectives on Twitter, and watch an interview with the author of one of the headlines mentioned above—all of which came from articles I read online in the first place. There are clearly advantages to having immediate access to such an incredibly rich store of information, inasmuch as this hyper-access to people, news, and facts assuredly has far-reaching effects on cognition, as well as the way we see, or don’t see, the world.

Speaking decades before the debates over Twitter or the wonders of Google, Malcolm Muggeridge seemed to foresee the possibilities of too much information. “Accumulating knowledge is a form of avarice and lends itself to another version of the Midas story,” he wrote. “Man is so avid for knowledge that everything he touches turns to facts; his faith becomes theology, his love becomes lechery, his wisdom becomes science. Pursuing meaning, he ignores truth.”(2) In other words, Muggeridge saw that it was possible to see so many news clips that we are no longer seeing, to hear so many sound-bites that we are no longer hearing, to seek so many “exclusives” that we are no longer understanding.

Speaking centuries before Muggeridge, the prophet Isaiah and the rabbi Jesus described their audiences quite similarly. “This is why I speak to them in parables,” said Jesus, “because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand’” (cf. Matthew 13:13, Isaiah 6:9-10). Undoubtedly, we are living in a time that is complicated by towering opportunities of information and knowledge; news clips, sound bites, blogs, and editorials, all piled so high and wide that we can scarcely see around our fortresses of facts. But perhaps regardless of the era, humanity’s skill in building towers of Babel—built to see beyond ourselves yet ironically blocking our vision—is both timeless and unprecedented.(3) Learning to see in a way that “reaches the heavens,” or, as Einstein once said, “to think the thoughts of God,” is far more about seeing God than it is about seeing facts.

In the art and work of sculpture, there is a term used to describe an artist’s ability to look at an unformed rock and see it in its completed state. It has been said of the sculptor Henry Moore that he had the gift of “hyperseeing,” the gift of seeing the form and beauty latent in a mass of unshaped material.(4) Hyperseeing is a word used to describe a sculptor’s extraordinary gift of seeing in four dimensional space—that is, seeing all around the exterior but also seeing all points within, seeing in a rough piece of stone the astounding possibilities of art.

It strikes me that the exercise of hyperseeing, then, as it might apply to our towering mountains of rough and unmolded facts, is something to which God tirelessly calls us. Far from building towers of knowledge that make names for ourselves, or accumulating sound-bites until we are no longer hearing, hyperseeing (and hyperhearing) the world around us requires God’s vision and voice. “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). Far better than a world of mere facts is a world made visible by the wisdom of God.

Perhaps we practice the exercise of hyperseeing as we learn to see the power of the resurrection, the glory of the transfiguration, the gift of the Lord’s Supper, or the wisdom of the parables in the daily facts and movements of our lives in God’s kingdom. To be sure, the resurrection of Jesus—the rising of dead flesh to life again—is no more jarring than every other promise we hold because of him, promises we can now see in part, while hyperseeing the extraordinary possibilities of all they will look like upon completion:

“Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all people shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:4-5).

Indeed, the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6the lame will leap like deer, the tongue of the speechless sing for joy; waters will break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.(5) In a world hyper-filled with facts and knowledge, such are the sights and sounds of a kingdom the pure in heart (with or without the help of Google) shall see.

Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.

When others doubt....

Hurt me with the TRUTH... But never comfort me with a LIE..


What do you do when people, loved ones especially don't respond to your good news the way you think they should do? I mean maybe you passed your exams, got that job or are getting married and your folks or friends are barely excited.

How do you react to their cold reaction, do you go silent and resentful or do you become angry and lash out? Either way only worsens an already difficult situation. The best thing is to listen to their concerns, try to allay them as best as you can. Your life though is yours to live, as long as you are sure of your path and stay with it, others will come round in time.

Bloody Immigrants......

Remember, remember always, that all of us... are descended from immigrants and revolutionists. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt



I just came across this fantastic but infinitely sad music video by Maureen Aku Disu. I have posted the link here for your viewing pleasure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5V0K90UT1w&sns=em

The plight of majority of immigrants is harrowing, as Maureen aptly said in her song, they cannot win. If they have jobs, they are like locusts, come to eat the good of the land, and if they have no jobs, they are no better than parasites, feeding of the work of the nationals.

If we realize that none of us really have permanent claim to any one part of the earth, we will be more tolerant of those that have come to live amongst us whether for political, economical or religious reasons. For even if we have no cause to immigrate, our fathers before us did, or their fathers....

Just a thought.....

“A man speaking sense to himself is no madder than a man speaking nonsense not to himself.”
― Tom Stoppard



We all must at one time or the other seen someone on the road talking to themselves, the idea that come across is all is not well here. Although some researchers has said self directed speech has cognitive benefits as it can serve as a memory trigger, even the genius who indulge in it is at best viewed as eccentric or just plain bonkers.

I cannot imagine the level of stress and frustration that causes a sane looking individual to talk to themselves out aloud in the streets; however it is a fairly frequent occurrence in our society. I just walked past a lady in the hospital grounds who was holding a serious conversation with herself.

Now considering the environment of this particular incident, it is possible to name the various scenarios that may be responsible for this lady's situation, illness, death, mounting bills, the sheer responsibility of looking after a loved one in a medical crisis. Any of these could cause a breakdown.

I don't know if our healthcare facility in this part of the world stretches to offering counseling to caregivers because the truth is, ill-health is almost as difficult for the well as the sick. So medical practitioners out there, have a care when you are dealing with families of your patient, they need support as much as the sick themselves.

Reflections by Regina Brett, 90 years old - 'Lessons life taught me'

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” ― Mae West

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will so Stay in touch.
5. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
6. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
7. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
8. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
9. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
10. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
11. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
12. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
13. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
14. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
15. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
16. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
17. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
18. Forgive everyone for everything.
19. What other people think of you is none of your business.
20. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
21. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
22. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
23. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
24. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young..
25. Get outside everyday. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
26. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
27.Envy is a waste of time,You already have all you need the best is yet to come.
28.No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
29.Life is not tied with a bow but its still a gift to be cherished

AWAKENING

“Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don’t know how to be.”
― Heath L. Buckmaster, Box of Hair: A Fairy Tale


I saw this post recently on Facebook and I just had to share it...


A time comes in your life when you finally get it ... when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks & somewhere the voice inside your head cries out "ENOUGH!" Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety, and security to come galloping over the next horizon.

This is your awakening.

You come to terms with the fact that you are not Prince Charming. And that, in the real world, there aren't always fairy-tale endings

(or beginnings, for that matter).

And that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you ... and in the process, a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate, or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK.

They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself ... and in the process, a sense of new-found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say, and that not everyone will always be there for you, and that it's not always about you.

So you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself ... and in

the process, a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and overlook their shortcomings and human frailties ... and in the process, a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself and the world around you is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche.

And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you

should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you

begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for.

You learn the differences between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with ... and in the process, you learn to go with your instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is

power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering

through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not outdated

ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation

upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the

world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and

that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love; how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would

have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations, and outcomes.

And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing

things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK, and that it is your

right to want things and to ask for the things you want ... and that

sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love,

kindness, sensitivity, and respect ... and you won't settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect.

You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you

deserve ... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different from working towards making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need

direction, intent, and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone ... and that it's OK to risk

asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber of all: FEAR itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens, you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms.

And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a

cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair; you don't always get what you think

you deserve, and that bad things sometimes happen to unsuspecting, good people.

And you learn to deal with negativity in its most primal state ... the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy, and resentment must be allowed and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot bath.

Slowly you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you

make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart's desire.

Hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.


Keep smiling, keep trusting, and stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart, take a stand, a deep breath, and begin to design as best you can the life you want to live.

CHOICE BY CHOICE



--
"It's not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves." (Sir Edmund Hillary)

Yakama said.....,

“Isn't it kind of silly to think that tearing someone else down builds you up?”
― Sean Covey, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

“Welcome to the wonderful world of jealousy, he thought. For the price of admission, you get a splitting headache, a nearly irresistable urge to commit murder, and an inferiority complex. Yippee.”
― J.R. Ward, Dark Lover


"When you're not happy with the direction your life is going , pray and ask for direction. You might need to change the person you are, the way you do things or certain people in your life are the disturbance variables. I just dont get it when people become sooooooooooooooo bitter about others' success or so gleeful about their pain. damn!!!!!!!!!! life is a journey, no fixed path. if one path leads down the wrong way, you can always choose another if it is not too late" ~ Yakama Mara-Jones.

"To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves" ~ Will Durant

Time......

The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time. ~ Abraham Lincoln



A few days ago, an old friend told me she enjoys my blog and wanted to know why I had not written in a while. I didn't even know she read my blog as she had never commented but her statement further encouraged me in my resolve to befriend this space again.

You know when the scripture says the lines have fallen for me in pleasant spaces, it is a reality we can enjoy if we are patient enough. Patient enough to sow those seeds, to water them, to wait for the giver of life to cause them to sprout, to carefully weed around them so that life circumstances does not choke our budding tree to death. And with time, we will reap a worthy harvest.

Time I have found is our greatest friend, it causes real or perceived hurts to fade into insignificance, it makes fine the wine of true friendships and relationships, it broadens our perspectives and expands our horizon.

Time though is not transferable, I couldn't decide that I can only judiciously use 6 hours today and will add the extra 18 hours to tomorrow's allocation. Whether I use it or not, time goes so it should be our most prized possession. Wealth, we might recover, but time like youth is special because you only get one shot at it.

I have resolved personally to enjoy my time here, to nurture my relationships, to do my best in the career path that I am on, i have chosen to show those that I care about that I do, to cherish the one I would say I do to, to enjoy my children when the come because they grow up so fast. At the end of time, these are the factors that determine how well we have lived.

Happy new year

I feel like I shouldn't call myself a blogger seeing that I only post here ever so randomly. However, I love this website no matter how little time I spend writing on it. What I do write is first for myself and then hopefully for the one or two persons who stumble on here unwittingly. To myself and all of you out there, may the new year be beautiful....