~~~HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ~~~

My troubles are still annoying me. I know they will pass. I have to believe this is so. In one of my life's experiences from the past in the Greek Orthodox church I did find tranquility and peace from the  Iconography  on the walls of the church. I have often preached that you can allow certain freedoms of expressions that will open the doors to your heart and mind.

Since the day of my mother's passing I hold her memory close to my heart. Mother's Day is an opportunity to sit and absorb your mother's energy and love. she has weather passed on or not.This is a lesson we should all absorb.

The above icon of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child can allow those things which attack the Spirit and soul to  be gone and  allow you to live the life  you deserve. Please believe me when I say you must love yourself before you can love others. One of my favorite singers, Josh  Groban sings a song that addresses my issue with a  song called 

"You are loved"-- do not give up"  up! It really touches me in my state of mind right now.


 

This Mother's day and all mother's days set aside some time to be with your mother If you you need help in sharing with your Mother, allow yourself to be embraced. Be the person you are inside and share with those who are struggling in life. Our mother's energy is powerful and full of love. It is up to us to reach that energy and live with it everyday.

I sincerely thank  that a member who follows this blog for waking me up wake me up!Thank you so much. As the days pass I will be stronger. 

I thank the membership of this blog for your patience, love and devotion. 

Light and Love to all!

~~~ OUR OWN MR. BANKS ~~~

This post was inspired by the Disney movie "Saving Mr. Banks". A story shared with the world first, with a book, then with a movie  as we know as "Mary Poppins".

Little did anyone realize that the book was really an account of a little girl growing up in Queensland Australia with her family and the relationship between her and her father. A movie many of us grew up with and loved so much. Now comes the story of the author of the book. A totally different inspiration than we came to know about Mary Poppins. It is now a story of   the little girl who wrote her feelings about her childhood full of disappointments and tragedies. Mary Poppins in real life was a nurse, not a Nani.  A nurse to save her father, but could not.

I cried more than a few times during the movie as I can identify with my own father and what I went through in my childhood.

Disney was genius! As usual. A champion for children, a child himself, as previous posts reflect

All of us have a "Mr. Banks" in our young life. He maybe a father, a mother, a family member, even a friend. Is it  true that pain does fill the pen with ink. as in the case of P.L. Travers ( the author of the book). She found refuge from her pain by writing about it. It was The making of the movie based on her book that caused her to confront her past. She had become a grumpy hurt soul who was only revived  when Disney tracked her down in London and shared his personal challenging past. Unfortunately  I could not find a video of the full dialog between Disney and  P.L. Travers in this scene. It is such a great dialog. It addresses my message like none other. If anyone finds that full dialog please let me know so I can include it in this post.There are short references made in the Trailer which I added to this post.

Essentially Disney talks about delivering news papers twice a day in icy cold weather. Among other things that were painful growing up. His father was in the newspaper business. The point being that every one has challenges in life and have to deal with them on a daily basis.

Is it not coincidental that I was a newspaper boy who delivered newspapers early in the mornings before going to school? When my bike broke down my parents said I would have to fix it myself. I had to pay for it with the little money I made from delivering papers.needless to say I did not have the money. I ended up carrying them on my back, walking for many months. Had to walk with the papers on my back over 5 miles each morning and then walk to school about another 2 miles each way. I actually slept in the garage the last year or two before leaving the house and my family.

I was sort of adopted by A Lutheran priest and his family in Banning California. From there I went straight to Greece where I lived and studied for six years. I hated my father and the day I left my family was the day I had raised my fist at my father, ready to fight him. My mother separated us and from that moment I left to live my last months in the US with a Reverend  Kecks and his family in Banning, California,  never to see my family again until I returned from Greece. I was 17 years old then. 

When I came back from Greece my father was a changed man. I could and did love him before his passing to the afterlife.

I am in the middle of my own autobiography now.

I am certain we all have such painful experiences with either friends or family. Some of you just naturally will write about your past. I suggest you all set down and write about your pain from the past. Trust me when I say it will be healing.

Below is the video of the movie

   

May you in spirit reunite with your  Mr. Banks and find forgiveness in your heart, if not already done. Free yourself

Love and Light

~~~ A CHILD SHALL LEAD US ~~~

I was inspired to right this post by one of our beautiful followers of this blog when she sent me these two images


The above title of this post is a parallel of a quote from the Bible from  Isaiah 11:1-10

Isaiah was prophetic who had a clear understanding of the significance  children have in our spirituality. Contrary to biblical scholars of his time and even among today's scholars who  view this statement as naive and misdirected. I disagree! The best observation point in  viewing how we can reach a level of spirituality that will sling us to the afterlife is to look at our children. 

"In the new testament, Mark 10:15 Jesus said the kingdom of God is like a little child, that those who wish to enter the Kingdom must do so as children." 

Is it not interesting how we come into  this realm as a child and as we age we seem to revert to our childhood. We become child like even physically. We wore diapers as a child and then as an adult.  We just call them "depends" for adults.  We become the children of our children. They can nurture us to the afterlife. 

Perhaps the best example of  man becoming a child in adulthood is Walt Disney. I have dedicated a post to him and his spirituality in this blog.  

Below is a link to that blog 

http://ancient-pnevma.blogspot.com/2012/04/disney-and-sprituality.html

Ask my family, they will tell you I still act like a child and even speak like one when among them. In today's social environment it is not conducive to act childish. Unfortunately some People tend to not take you seriously because they are too serious themselves.  

Believe or not, I give goofy nick names, like when I am ordering a coffee drink or anything over the counter. They will ask for my name for the order and I will tell them I am Baba or Toustie and they laugh or give me a big smile which was my objective to begin with.

Our minds can be a traffic jam, an accident, waiting to happen. Clear your mind from the every day challenges with meditation or just by sitting somewhere quietly and take deep breaths and focus on the positive, remember the great times as a kid  

Do not lose your childhood ~~ Be a Peter Pan

If you cry over love stories, animated movies or over documentaries about animals  ~~~ and you love animals, then mostly you still have the child inside you. Do not lose that child.

Love and Light to you!

And thank you Stella for the inspiration!

                                      

~~~ OUR TWIN OF LOVE ~~~

We all have an innate desire to find our soul mate in this realm. I do not infer to a relationship based on anything other than a spiritual attraction to another. By today’s standards this is indeed a rare accomplishment. In a very subtle way we are actually searching for ourselves in someone who is like us.

I argue that a couple who seems to be the opposite of his love interest is not better off as one does not necessarily balance the other in behavior. For an example: One is introverted and the other is extroverted. One likes to be outdoors and the other is happy staying in the house.

Regardless It is my feeling that to connect with your “twin” your relationship needs a frame not based the following:

1) Material things on Earth

2)The External shell, or body which contains the soul and spirit.

One needs to be attracted to what is inside of the body. This may be a challenge when we are gifted by the Creator such strong senses which cause us to respond to the visual and be blinded by superficial beauty. A double edged sword. It is my feeling that visual beauty can  bring you to the well for a drink, however, effort is needed to extract the prize in the well which is the water it contains.

3)Selfishness. Too many times we do not reach out to those in need of the basics in life whether ,  food, spiritual support. Love etc. The desire to share what we have inside us by both in a relationship is truly powerful.

The connection with your “twin” in love may not be in this lifetime. It may be a work in progress in the   moment we are in  now.

Below is a video I came across long after this concept came to my consciousness. I said to myself Wow! So this revelation is shared by many people. It is real. We all have a “Twin” of love.  

 We all can find our "Twin" of love, he or she maybe just around the corner. Place yourself in a spiritual environment and it will happen. Find the inner beauty in people and share your own beauty and you will find your "Twin" of love!

Love and peace be with you!

~~~ OUR FOOT PRINTS IN LIFE ~~~

As we get closer to  the depot of our final destination here in this realm we tend to do a retrospect of our life and we realize that:

"while our body is mortal our immortality comes from the memories of us". 

Quote by Stephen Hill

While our  canvass of life has almost been completed in the twilight of our visit to this world ~~ and the paint is just starting to dry, we  still have time to reach out and touch someone spiritually. ~~  To share in our spirituality. It took a while to realize that you do not have to climb over every mountain when some have tunnels to go through. There have been many obstacles to deal with and more to come. Obstacles do not age discriminate. There is no senior discount. Same price to pay whether you are one or one hundred and one years old.That price is overcoming that which is thrown at us in life.

Our ticket on our train of life can be first class with our reaching out to our fellow humans or third class where we do not share the beauty we have inside of us. We are all beautiful beings on this planet. You do not have to pretend to be someone you are not.

Oscar Wilde once said: " Be yourself, everyone else is taken"   

There is no need to attempt to be someone other than yourself.

I will quote Luther Standing Bear " Out of the Indian approach to life a great freedom came, an intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations".

This freedom is internal freedom. A freedom that allows your spirit to flow like the wind.

I will share with you an event that I experienced a couple of days ago. I will call this event:

THE COOKIE

 As i was walking to my post office box wondering if I would find a check or two and stressed out over it, I came upon a young lady holding onto a bag of chocolate  chip cookies and eating from the bag. Mind you, It is impossible for me to walk by someone and not smile or exchange salutations or exhibit gestures of kindness.

I immediately commented on the bag of cookies like "Yummy  ~~ chocolate chip cookies."   The young lady offered me a cookie and I said "no thank you I need to watch my "girly figure" laughing! she replied " come on, ~~  nobody turns down a chocolate chip cookie". I then noticed her eyes were glossy as if she had just cried or was about to. I then said I would love a chocolate chip cookie. I realized something was going on inside her and it seemed to be calling me.

I then sat next to her on the bench she was sitting on. We exchanged names and had a brief conversation.  We were talking about our common love for Chocolate chip cookies she said her mother taught her to love the chocolate chip cookies as her mother did. As she spoke of her mother she began to tear. She explained that she had just come from the hospital where her mother just died from a long battle with cancer. She then gushed with tears. I could not help myself and gave her a big hug and consoled her. I gave her my card and encouraged her to visit my blog for support.  At that point an older male, possibly her father, picked her up. 

I had to sit a few minutes before I did my business at the mail box facility just to absorb what I experience. Suddenly I felt recharged and there was no more stress. By the way, I did get a check.

Maybe she was an Angel for me  ~~ or I for her. Regardless, it was a spiritual encounter.

Always be aware of your surroundings, do not avoid eye contact with strangers. Each human on this planet has something to offer or may need your momentary help to get through the day. Until my arrival at the depot of life I will remember the cookie:

Be a light amidst the tidal waves of life

 

~~ PAIN IS A TEACHER ~~

 

I am certain that you have heard the saying "Only if you were in my shoes you could know what I am going through". It is true that experiencing pain can be a "blessing in disguise." From pain we gain compassion. When we encounter adversities in road of life and successfully negotiate those bends in the road we create what I like to call " spiritual  immunities or antibodies for our soul."  It is like taking a flue shot so you do not get the flue. 

Embrace adversities and learn from them. Taking the "Scenic" route of life may deprive you of experiences that enhance the development of your spirit and soul.

In my life I have negotiated many bends in my  path of life and I am a stronger person from it. I am more empathic towards my fellow humans. I am excited to share my past with those who feel lost in their pain. The person in pain senses your compassion and the attraction between the two hearts creates a healing energy. 

Below is a must see video on this subject

 

 "To live a life without adversities is like a lantern with no light"

quote by Stephen Hill

It is fitting that in the video above Greek mythology was used to make the point of "the "Wounded Healer"

Be a Wounded Healer and share in the wonderful energy created in the connect with your fellow human in need. In the process  you heal yourself.  

 

THE ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FIRST BREATH ON EARTH

Well,  ~~ this event is more commonly known as your birthday.  The event  can be best described by me as the celebration of the Great Creator who imbues scared air into our lungs giving us life at the moment of birth.  The pnevma ~~ spirit enters the body from that very second. It is characterized as a miracle. What we can celebrate is gratitude to the bearer of our body, the mother, for being the vessel which facilitates the development of  the body that accepts the breath from the Great Creator.

We have two sacred events at once: The woman becoming a mother and the child gaining life with his soul. A soul which has always been with him.

Our society has created two separate celebrations for this great moment called Mother's Day and our Birthday.

For me, ~~ I view this day as a day of gratitude for my mother. While she is not of this realm now, she will feel the energy of my gratitude.

Yes, my anniversary of my first breath in this world is August 31st. As we all get closer to our anniversary of life we can contemplate on the blessings not only of the year past, but since we were brought into this world.

"The two most important days of your life are 

the day you were born 

                     and the day you find out why!"                        

Quote by Mark Twain

All of us have a purpose in life. Do not think for a second that we just happened In this world. It might take a few wake up calls before you identify with your purpose  in life.I know it did for me. In fact it took three wake up calls before I got the message loud and clear.

Like a cocoon which opens up into a beautiful butterfly. I have witness this metamorphosis in many people including my Father and Mother.

As I approach the the next bend in the road in my life I want to continue to be blessed by the beautiful people who surround me now. A gathering you ask? I would like to call it an opportunity to be connected or re-connected. Regardless I will be blessed and my gift will be the love I will experience.

I Pray I will be blessed the by the ability to navigate the bends in the road of life for years to come. If I am deprived of some bends in my life I am ready to return to the womb of Mother Earth with no hesitation.    

May we all take a moment in our life to celebrate our "miracle" and all the beautiful life we are surrounded with, given to us by the great creator. 

Amen -  Aho

~~~ PAIN AND BODY LANGUAGE HEALING ~~~

This post comes from my writing in a group I own on care2.com. It is called "The art of Communication"

Lately I have come across a number of fellow members at my gym who have had numerous challenges to either  their body and or spirit.

When someone is in pain, either physically or emotionally it can be apparent, mostly in the facial expressions. The body does not lie and that is part of what we know as body language. 

The question is, ~~ how can we possibly heal that pain through communication?  Most of us try to hide the pain or at least do not talk about it. One thing is a certain remedy, ~~ and that is projecting positive energy by speaking of positive actions and beliefs. Make reference to any positive reinforcement you may have read or heard.

A number of years ago the manager of the health club where I go was looking very frail and had lost a great deal of weight. I asked her if she were alright and only after some considerable conversation I learned from her that she recently had a kidney removed that was malignant. It was devastating to her as she was a very active person, playing tennis 3-4 times a week. Her husband the, head tennis pro at the club, who is   my golfing partner  was also affected by the news. He was rather depressed to say the least.

She did mention that she still feels lucky to be alive and recalled my accident and that it was miraculous that I am still alive. She really tried to be positive and then I said to her, " When you touch someone's heart, your finger prints never fade"! She has touched the heart of countless people, being the manger for this club for over 20 years. As she walked away, she started to tear and said "thank you, I needed that!" 

Now at this time with all the positive energy over these past few years she is in remission.

"The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system." 

Quote by  Robert C. Peale.

~ Yes, medicine has come along ways for the past 100 years and can do what 100 years ago would be considered miracles. But since man's existence he has had the ability to heal himself and his fellow man by simply communicating with him. He has had this ability  to heal with something as simple as with  gestures of kindness and caring since the beginning of time.

Read the body language of your fellow human. Even if that person is a stranger.  if you see his pain, offer kind words such as simple as "have a great day" or a gesture that will leave your spiritual finger print on that person not just until the end of that day, but maybe for life. You might not even be feeling well yourself when you do this. You will attract positive energy to yourself and may even heal yourself your challenges in the process. 

Just this morning I experienced this. And, ~~ yes I even feel better.

I am not suggesting that you call heal all. These gestures, however, can make the road of life with challenges a little more palatable and at the same time therapeutic for you.

Be well in light and love.

IMPRESSIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

This past week we  celebrated my youngest daughter's 21st birthday. Among the various activities we engaged in we saw the stage production of "LOVE" performed by Cirque Du Soleil. The above image is from the Beatles song "The Octopus's Garden". A great song about a place in kid's imagination where they can go to away from the everyday "storms" of life.

 
Here are some lyrics to the song:

"I'd like to be under the sea
In an Octopus' Garden in the shade
He'd let us in,knows where we've been 

I'd like ask my friends to come and see
An octopus's garden with me
I'd like to be under the sea
In an Octopus's garden in the shade. 

We would be warm below the storm
in our little hideaway beneath the waves"

All expressions and reflections of daily life bring us closer to the energy which created us. in My post titled Trigger points of our beautiful life I listed my trigger points. I encourage you to visit or revisit that post You may find out we have more in common than you realized.
Here is a link:


 ~~TRIGGER POINTS OF OUR BEAUTIFUL LIFE~~





Now comes the question of the interpretation of what we see in the impressions we have experienced in life. It is true that not all people may see and feel the same experience in life. This may depend on what is going on inside us. I truly believe that knowledge and awareness play a significant role in how we see life. ~~ Does that mean that we live in different realities? It is true that we come from different backgrounds  and education that might effect the interpretation of our impressions. What does matter is that the bottom line of the impression holds a common ground with the interpreter. In this case Cirque Du Soliel did. 

Finding the genius of interpretation is not an easy task. Knowing who you are inside is imperative. Open your own doors of inspiration from within and share your beauty. You do not need an elaborate stage to share your heart and inspiration. I have discovered that the more you share with, ~~ the greater you aura is and you find people coming to you.

Be well

Namaste 

 

~~~ WHO AM I ~~~

This maybe is the most important question in the universe. I was inspired to write this post when I saw the movie adaptation of the stage production, "Les Miserables".  ( it happens to be one of my favorite musical productions). For those not familiar with this masterpiece: It is essentially a story of a man who was convicted for steeling a loaf of bread for a starving man. He Served 20 years in prison and when he was finally released, he led a life of crime until he came upon a Mon-senior Priest who took him in. 

The man call Jean Valjean (the main character in the play and in the movie Hugh Jackman played Jean Valjean)  stolled the church's candle sticks and was caught and brought back to the Mon-senior who in turn not only covered for his actions, but, also gave him the Candle sticks. In turn Jean Valjean  agreed to live a life of good and help  others. 

He becomes the mayor in a small village where he is adored! Held in the highest esteem.  ~~ then his past caught up with him and he is forced to make some decisions including adopting a girl whose mother was slated as a prostitute  and died from illness. He promised he would raise her daughter so she could rest in peace.

I believe we all have lived through spiritual changes in our live. Reflecting back on my life I can clearly  separate or partition my life into 4 different phases.

Aristotle, the great Greek Philosopher,  once said  

" we are what we repeatedly do"

I believe that this message infers that we can be ever changing throughout our journey here on Earth.

 

I have to admit that in my past "life I did tread amidst dark shadows and said and did things I wished never happened. There were incredible events that will not soon be forgotten. Like a puzzle you might be able to put all the pieces together so you may see all of who you are.  

I would like you to do an exercise  that may help you  see all of who you are as every thought, every word, every action is recorded in the sacred halls of the universe. You cannot use an eraser to change your past. There are no mulligans in life ( a golf term for taking an errant  shot again.)   All of the events of your life have contributed to who you are today. Knowing yourself better may guide you to a happier and more fulfilling life.

I want you to meditate or just set in a quiet place and write down your earliest memories. You might recall certain events, sad, happy, etc. You might classify your events by school years,  relationships certain traumatic events, etc. Write them down for future reference or simply write them down for the moment. Writing gives thoughts life! The function is more poignant. 

I have a follower who stated to me that he does not like meditating because the process brings back sad memories and times of serious challenges in his life. I informed him that  he does not have to give this negative  energy any life. He can  simply acknowledge them as part of his life!

Discover your evolution and realize the  power and beauty from the heavens.  That you have become one with the universe. 

There is a song called "Who Am I" in this production and Jean Valjean struggles with his past and wants to know who he is, ~~ thieve he was or the beautiful person he became in his later life.

I cannot help but share the video from "Les Miserables" I feel the passion of the evolution of Jean Valjean' soul.  

You are  what you think. May your thoughts be as beautiful as the Great Creator made you!

~~ TRUE BEAUTY IS UNDER THE SKIN ~~

It has been said  by  many  ~~ that "you were told that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What they failed to tell you is that beauty is best seen with the eyes closed. What you look like is not important. What is important is who you are inside and the choices you make".

Quote from unknown

I had posted a similar subject relative to "you cannot judge the book by it's cover" ~~ or something to that effect. I am now approaching this subject from  the viewpoint of the person being judged. ~~ not the judge

It is up to you to share your beauty with the world. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and share your beauty. All of us have been given gifts from the creator. All of us have the beauty we were born with. 

As humans growing up from a young age we are susceptible to prejudges created by society and we tend to develop insecurities and  we loose confidence in our selves. I cannot think of one person I have been associated with, either at work, friends or family who has beauty to share with humanity but rarely shares it .

The way most people deal with their insecurities is like one putting make-up on one's face to change the way they look naturally, instead of looking as the way the creator made them. instead they cover the beauty within.

Exploit the beauty you have to share. What your shell looks like which carries your beautiful soul in this realm is unimportant. Whether  your gift is entertainment, artistry, teaching, communicating or just helping your fellow man ~~ you can share and help humanity with your beauty.

How do you know you have shared your beauty you ask? You know you have touched one's soul when tears are shed. Your soul gives you a spiritual bath. 


The beautiful image above portrays a human who in times of our life's storms she opens her beauty from within.

This post was triggered by a video I saw  below and  perhaps it will cause you to tear. Please see it.

 
Well ~~ Jonathon who is 17 years old fortunately had a companion who acknowledged  his beauty and encouraged him to share his gift and stood  up for him when his piers at school would make fun of him because the way he looked. 

You too can acknowledge the beauty in your fellow humans. Not only to  build their confidence but also to encourage them to share their gift in life.

Be well in light and love,

Stephen

AUTUMN ~~ EQUINOX ~~ MYTHOLOGY

Autumn has officially arrived with the fall Equinox having just taken place. In my opinion the most colorful time of the year. Winter blankets us with white, ~~ summer with rays penetrating clouds and sunsets painting the edge of mother Earth. Then ~~ spring showing off all colors of floral life. 

There is a scientific explanation how the leaves on trees  have such a stunning  transformation.  The leaves get their color form the abundance of chlorophyll from Mother Earth. The chlorophyll captures the light for photosynthesis. As the days grow shorter, so does the supply of chlorophyll which allows other pigments in the leaves to take over. The bright orange and yellow seem to soothe the body from the heat of summer and giving us a preview of the cold to come.

Science and Spirituality seem to butt heads at times.  Science deals with matter, the physical, ~~ while spirituality deals with the unseen and and is fueled by faith not by chemistry. 

While there is a chemical reason why leaves change their color, I much rather have the romantic reason, that being for me ~~ "Mother Earth has changed her clothes in preparation for the long nights ahead". 

Even scientist have to sit in awe of our creation and realize that there is a much greater force than us. That force of nature made the alchemy which makes the physical world what it is today.

MABON

Mabon is another word for Fall Harvest, more commonly used among Wiccans associated with Welsh  mythology.

The most popular fall harvest story is that from Greek mythology.This is the story about Demeter and her daughter, Persephone. Demeter was the goddess of grain and of harvest in ancient Greece. Her daughter caught the eye of Hades, the God of the underworld. When Hyades abducted Persephone and took her back to the underworld, Demeter's grief caused the crops on Earth to die and go dormant. By the time she finally recovered her daughter, Persephone had eaten six pomegranate seeds and so, ~~ was doomed to spend six months of the year in the underworld. These six months are the time when the Earth "dies", beginning at the time of the Autumn Equinox. Each year Demeter mourns the loss of her daughter for six months. At Ostara, (Spring) the greening of Earth begins once more and life begins anew.

There are many interpretations of this mythology including Demeter threatening Zeus to kill all vegetation on Earth if Zeus does not help in releasing Persephone from the hands of Hades. Zeus, ~~ not wanting to anger his people complied and convinced  Hades to release Persephone.  

Another version is that Persephone on her on volition remained  with Hades  so she could bring brightness and light to the souls doomed to spend eternity with Hades.

Regardless how you perceive this time of the year, enjoy the season and harvest your love for your fellow man. May your cornucopia of life be full of spiritual nutrition

Be well in Love and Light!