Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ringing in the New Year… No matter what denomination—or not—a person is, everyone manages to ring in the New Year in some fashion or another.  Some opt to do so with New Year’s resolutions.  Others choose to dwell on where they’ve fallen short.  Me, I make it a point to focus on the potential a New Year offers.  Dreams and ambitions, some not even thought up yet, parade around my head…well…the possibility of them.  And relations—those with whom we surround ourselves with on a regular basis, are also my primary focus on this holiday.

However one chooses—or not—to celebrate the New Year, my wish is that each and every one of you has a happy, safe, and fulfilling holiday.

Friday, December 30, 2011

I’ve always enjoyed the thoughts of Kahlil Gibran, a deep thinker with profound visions of life.  I stumbled across this one today and thought I’d share….

On Self-Knowledge
 Kahlil Gibran

Your hearts know in silence the secrets of the days and the nights.

But your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge.

You would know in words that which you have always known in thought.

You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams.

And it is well you should.

The hidden well-spring of your soul must needs rise and run murmuring to the sea;

And the treasure of your infinite depths would be revealed to your eyes.

But let there be no scales to weigh your unknown treasure;

And seek not the depths of your knowledge with staff or sounding line.

For self is a sea boundless and measureless.

Say not, "I have found the truth," but rather, "I have found a truth."

Say not, "I have found the path of the soul." Say rather, "I have met the soul walking upon my path."

For the soul walks upon all paths.

The soul walks not upon a line, neither does it grow like a reed.

The soul unfolds itself like a lotus of countless petals.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

I’ve always been an animal lover.  When I was little and would find an insect struggling in a body of water, its wings saturated so it couldn’t fly, I’d rescue it, cupping it between my hands.  Then I’d let the water drain from between my fingers and gently blow on the wings of the poor creature until it could fly away. 

Though I intellectually understand and can appreciate the laws of nature’s food chain, how one creature is food for another, I don’t want to actually see a kill go down—too sympathetic to the animal that becomes the main course.  While growing up, there was a show I loved to watch called Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Animal Kingdom.  The depicting of nature’s animals was incredible on that show, and I’m grateful for all I learned from it.  But…I did have one misgiving about the series.  The end of each episode contained footage of one of the earlier highlighted animals being chased down by a predator. 

The first time I saw this, I was riveted and didn’t turn away, certain that the producers would never show the actual kill.  Oh…but I was wrong!  Not only was the kill captured and spread across my TV screen, but also the gruesome ripping and shredding of the victim animal would literally turn my stomach.  After that initial episode, I learned to turn away or leave the room during the end of each episode so as to spare myself bearing witness to another kill and eating scene.

Since I’m such an animal lover, I adore reading books that focus on real stories about animals and watching movies about the same.  Recently, I got to watch two such movies, Warhorse and also We Bought A Zoo.  Both were great features centered on the incredible bonds that can fuse humans to animals.  When asked which movie I like best, I couldn’t pick one, for I liked each equally.  One because it was more of a historical drama with breathtaking realistic scenes, era costumes and recreations of impressive battle scenes.  The other movie I adored for the powerful message it delivered about how families can overcome anything if they’re willing to navigate the choppy waters—together.

When it comes to animals, I’m just a big softie.  Always have been…always hope to be.  The animals I seem to gravitate most towards are the underdogs, the ones that seem to be the most wounded, need the most rehabilitation or are in need of an abundance of love and acceptance, which I freely give. 

Whether the animals I’m drawn to are in person, ones I read about between the pages of a book or splashed across the big screen, one thing’s for certain.  A huge part of my heart will always belong to animals.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

People are so interesting….

I’ve always been fascinated by people.  Watching them, learning from them, scrutinizing their tiniest idiosyncrasies, these are what gain me pleasure.  People-watching is never dull, as the individuals I study are each unique, driven by the tune of their own drummer that only they can hear.

Sometimes I tune out all the ambient noise, conversations, etc, listening only to the body language of individuals in order to gain the best insight into them.  Other times, my focus is intent more on what the individual says rather than what they do.  Still other times, I allow all that a person does, says and exemplifies to touch me in the hopes of better understanding them.

Though each of us is distinct, a common thread of humanness runs between us, allowing, if we let it, for us to learn more about ourselves through watching how others conduct themselves.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Each of us has obstacles we must endure in life.  Some refer to them as nuisances.  Others call them drama, sorrows, hardships.  No matter what label is assigned, none of us get out of this thing we call life without having to navigate through some pretty dicey waters at one time or another.  Overcoming these events is what makes us stronger.

The one thing that can drag us down faster than anything is when we handle ourselves inappropriately due to stresses we may be experiencing.  To lash out at others because we’re frustrated or unhappy is understandable, on one level, but unacceptable, for doing so only expands our drama to the radars of others who don’t deserve to have our garbage dumped on them. 

This doesn’t mean we can’t reach out to others when we’re hurting.  We should.  But we need to do so by appropriate means.  Simple words work best.  Telling a person that you’re hurting and need some help goes a long ways towards making those around you receptive to your pain.  Doing so shows your humanness.  Some believe this makes them viewed as weak.  I believe the opposite, for it takes great strength to be able to not only reveal but also articulate—in a mature fashion—when one is hurting and in need of assistance.

When we allow our emotions to run amok, causing us to lash out at others, the only thing we accomplish is to put others on alert to stay away from us.  If they do dare to come near, they’re likely to be on the defensive, which significantly limits their ability to objectively help.  No good comes of this scenario—only negativity that spreads like a malignant cancer, cannibalizing everything in its path and stunting our ability to grow and persevere when faced with hardships.

Since none of us will manage to navigate life’s waters without getting our feet wet in sorrows, doesn’t it stand to reason that we should make the best of trying times rather than adding to them by behaving poorly?