Peace

Yesterday the news of the Israeli "preemptive strike" on Syria shook me.

This morning started with a barrage of tweets calling for Peace.

At Church today, the call for Peace was in the reading, the homily and some of the songs. The Mass ended with the Prayer of St. Francis: "Make me a channel of your Peace."

I truly believe that Peace is what God wants for us. If only we desired it for each other more. We have the tools within us. It is only our egos that stand in the way.

Only when we reach out to each other without weapons in our hands, that we will create a world that's quite grand.

May Peace come to our heart.

May Peace come to our home.

May we always remember,

We are NEVER alone.

~ESA

Change in Prayer

Over the last few weeks, I've been reading through a backlog of blog-posts I follow. One of them (regrettably I forget which), mentioned that the writer changed their prayer from "help me" to "use me."

I request that God help me and help others. Help me to overcome this struggle. Help me to understand this situation. Help me to heal. Help others to do the same... But what if I changed that to "use me?"

So Friday morning, while I prayed for guidance, I added a simple, "please use me - in whatever way you want." For I understand that if I had SOME foreknowledge of what God wants me to do, I am stubborn enough to try to do it MY way (not God's Way) and often screw it up or even make things worse. So I keep my own ideas and thoughts in check, to see what God has in mind...

When I got into the office, I noticed that someone had made a last-minute donation in the building's collection box to help Colorado (http://helpcoloradonow.org/). The practical side in me made the phone call to a donation center, having already forgotten the prayer addition.

The call that started as a simple confirmation of the shipping address, lasted well over an hour. The site manager and I bounced ideas between us and generated a long list of other possible resources that could help both those in Colorado as well as any location that may find itself facing large-scale disasters (fire, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, nor'easters, extended power outages, etc.) in the future.

The moment I hung up, I remembered the morning prayer, and thanked God for using me - even in a way I would never have imagined.

God does work in our lives, sometimes it is through each other. What if we all changed our prayers from "help me" to "use me," what would our world be?

Hand-in-hand we face what comes
Hand-in-hand we can do what must be done
One thing I know is very true
God weaves through our hands when we do

~ ESA

Coin Toss

Those with US coin currency in your pocket have seen the various backings on quarters over the last decade. Between 1999 and 2009, the US Mint released new quarters, a few each year, through banks within the State represented on the back.

I remember waiting for the initial release. It wasn't long before the shiny new quarters were in my possession, as I lived on the east coast, where the first coins were released. As the releases continued year-after-year, however, it took more time to see them in the local cash registers.

But they did get there.

This is not to share the story of the US quarter, but as an illustration of how much our lives are integrated with others. Those quarters would not arrive locally unless carried beyond the State borders in which it was issued. It may have been held in many purses and pockets between the initial issue of a bank and your hand.

There is no doubt that several of these quarters are now outside the US borders as well. There are banks all around the world that exchange US currency, and countless international travelers that may hang onto a few coins as souvenirs, much as my dad had done in his international travels.

Think how many lives this quarter has touched in its journey, and how many more it will touch once it leaves your hand. We never know where each coin goes. But we do know one thing.

Our lives are interwoven together.

Even as a quarter passes hand-to-hand,

Blessings can travel over many a land.

~ ESA

Good News

When we turn on the news, read the newspapers, listen to the radio, or check the latest happenings online, chances are there is bad news. A lot of it. In some cases, if there is any good news at all, it's likely to be some tiny micro-feature, while the more-horrific, more-heartwrenching news gets the most coverage. If it's bad enough, you'll hear about it for days.

In fact, it's a sure bet that if a winged unicorn landed in Central Park, starting farting rainbows so everyone there started to smile and laugh in joy, and there was a single pickpocket in the South Bronx (a neighborhood that has, sadly, seen a lot worse) -- and that was the ONLY news in New York City that day -- every single newsperson would be in the South Bronx covering the pick-pocket story. Our media LOVES to report bad news; that is what they tell us we want to hear...

How much of this non-stop bad news colors our perception of our world? We see so much criminal activity, heinous acts, violence, heartlessness, lies, cheating and down-right "evil" - in the hearts of all mankind. It's no wonder so many people are looking forward to the world possibly ending this December.

The truth is that while there is bad news, there is a far greater amount of good news. We just don't see it. We don't hear it. We don't tell it... If you had two bits of news - one good and one bad of equal weight - to tell others, which would come out of your mouth first? Unless we were trying to sell something, chances are the bad news would be told first.

Why not change that?

Why not share all the good news you find around you - everyday - and put dampeners on the bad news? Yes, there is bad news in the world, but what does it serve to share it unless you plan on doing something about it? If you are going to make a positive impact, share THAT news. Tell people how others have helped.

Following last year's tsunami in Japan, share the news that there was global turnout of aid and support. Recall how there was no looting or price-gouging immediately following the quake; or how the elderly volunteered to work at the damaged reactors to spare the young people the radiation exposure.

Following the devastating storms the US saw last year, how many times do we share the inspiring stories of neighbor-helping-neighbor, about people traveling hundreds of miles to rebuild towns? After a hurricane, the residents of a Vermont town that was completely cut off from the world met each day on the town green, went to harvest the fields by hand together, and had a community meal with what they gathered day-after-day until normal resources were back in place.

The more we focus on positive aspects of our lives, the more positive news we find around us. But if we continue to focus on the negative, we spiral downwards and close ourselves from our brothers and sisters, from our neighbors and see only an evil world. The world is our choice. Much of what we see, hear, and experience in this life reflects what our focus is on. If we focus on good news, we find many more blessings in our life.

Yes, that is true. Ask many a psychologist. Ask the One who made us. But if you still don't believe it; try it. You may surprise yourself.

Even the word "Gospel" means "Good News."

On Friday evening, I worked late and picked up pizza on the walk home. The local pizzeria was packed and the take-out line started at the register in the back of the dining room and stretched two-thirds the distance to the front door. The wait was over an hour. And yet... as I left after getting my pizza, I must have dropped my wallet. Someone spied it and gave it to the staff. One of the waitresses literally ran out the door after me shouting my name to return it to me, despite the crowd of people inside. No one complained; a few smiled. And I was very grateful for the actions of both the person who turned it in and the waitress. When I got home, I shared the good news. Despite the long wait for food, the evening felt brighter.

It's a new year; it's a new start.
Focus on the positive.
Find a better world.
- ESA

Ben Stein Commentary

This is a copy of a commentary I found recently that I wanted to share with the posts above and below. This was written and read by Ben Stein on CBS Sunday Morning.

- ESA 

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My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees "Christmas trees." I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are, Christmas trees.
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It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it. It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. it doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a creche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

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I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from, that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat!
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Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.
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In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
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Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her, 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Hurricane Katrina). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentlemen He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'
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In light of recent events... terrorist attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
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Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave, because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem. (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide.) We said an expert should know what he's talking about. We said OK.
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Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'We reap what we sow.'
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Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.
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Are you laughing yet?
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Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list beacuse you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.
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Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
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Pass it on if you think it has merit.
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If not, then just discard it...no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
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Ben Stein

Andy Rooney on Prayer

The following was forwarded to me in an email, and I wanted to share it with my readers. Please read with the next two (above) blogposts with this.

- ESA

_________________________________________________________________________________

A very big amen to this:

Pray if you want to!

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.

But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America and Canada, countries founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna?

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer.

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome...

“But what about the atheists?” is another argument.

What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.

God, help us. 

And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long. 

It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority rules! It's time we tell them, "You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!"
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God bless us one and all... especially those who denounce Him, God bless America and Canada; despite all our faults, we are still the greatest nations of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God.

Let's make this the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. And our military forces come home from all the wars.

Keep looking up.

9/11 Memories & Thanks

While many news stories cover memories of Americans from the terror that struck us one decade ago, I'd like to share a few stories recalled from those days - and thanks to many non-Americans.

When all traffic was grounded, several inbound flights were re-routed to our neighbors to the north in Canada. Canadians opened their hearts and opened their homes to displaced Americans who just wanted to get home to their loved ones after hearing the devastating news. Some even got into their cars and drove hundreds if not thousands of miles to get people home.

In Europe, not only did local residents share the news with visiting Americans and offer their heartfelt support on that day. A few days later, they held a three-minute moment of silence for us. One-minute is standard; three-minutes is unprecedented. And they didn't just bow their heads a moment. People eating lunch, put down their cups and utensils. People driving - local road and highway - as one pulled aside, stopped and gave us the full three minutes of silence. People stopped talking; radios were silent. This wasn't just in America; this was in Europe FOR America.

These are just two stories I've heard in the last 24 hours. There are many, many more cases where we were supported by others around the world. As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Let us not only share our memories, let us be thankful for the support and heartfelt compassion shown by others around the world.

- ESA

Tale of Two Brides (Story)

Once upon a time, there was a bride who was loved by many. She knew her fiancé, who was away for a long time, would be returning soon. She was determined to be ready for his return, no matter what. She had her life in order; her eyes were always scanning the horizon for a first sight of him.

Her friends, tried to do the same, to be ready for the big wedding. But the wait was long, and they found themselves drawn away to other things that needed their attention.

The bride scoffed as one-by-one, they departed to raise their children, tend to their work, and help others in their community. "Let the others tend to the matters in this world," she said bitterly to herself, "I know who I am and where my place is. I will sit and wait."

Set in her determination, the bride never strayed from her chosen path; she kept herself ready and would not move an inch as she waited. This was her sole purpose: to wait for his return.

When the day came, the bride was overjoyed. She gathered her things, ready to be swept up into his arms and taken away from this wretched world. This was what she was waiting for all this time.

When her friends heard that the bride's fiancé returned, they tried to gather to her side, but she turned them away - each and every one. "You did not wait with me in my vigilance. You strayed from my side while I waited alone." She turned her back on them, "I will have nothing to do with you now."
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Once upon a time, there was a bride who was loved by many. She knew her fiancé, who was away for a long time, would be returning soon. She was determined to be ready for his return, no matter what. She had her life in order; her eyes were always scanning the horizon for a first sight of him.

Her friends, tried to do the same, to be ready for the big wedding. But the wait was long, and they found themselves drawn away to other things that needed their attention.


In her heart, the bride knew that things still needed to be done in this world while they waited. She wanted them at her side, ready for her fiancé's return. So she inquired of her friends what was drawing them away.


Those who would depart to raise their children, she replied, "Are they not part of my family too, as I love you like sisters and brothers? I will help with your families; this way we can take turns watching the horizon and all of us will be ready his return together."



To those who needed to tend to their work, she proposed, "Let us all work together. Is it not true that when we work together as one, we accomplish far more than the sum of our individual efforts? When we are separate, we are alone; this is not what we are called to be. While we work side-by-side, we can take turns watching the horizon. When my fiancé arrives, the work will be done and we will all be ready."



To those who wanted to help others in the community, she said, "Let us go out together to those in need. Is it right that some should share in joy while others suffer while we can yet do something about it? If we do this together, there will be more to share in the feast when my fiancé returns. What joy will be his when he sees all the people ready to celebrate. I will leave a note for my fiancé; he will know just where to find me."



While the young bride did her best to make sure all were ready and within calling distance when her fiancé returned, she saw that some still had wandered away, alone or in small groups, and were not ready on the day of her fiancé's return. When her fiancé arrived, he found her working among the people, helping them every way she could, her heart loving them as brothers and sisters. His joy was hers when he saw the vast numbers of people who were ready to celebrate the wedding feast.


But then he caught sight of those in the far distance and he asked his bride, "What shall we do with those who did not wait for this day?" Tears welled in her eyes and she pleaded, "I know they did not stay within calling distance, but they are still loved as sisters and brothers. I know we cannot wait, but should they see us depart and follow, please do not bar their way."


When the happy couple departed, they were followed by a joyous celebration of many who sang the song of Love United after a long period apart. Hearing the song rising on the wind, those in the distance looked up and saw them depart. They immediately regretted what they had done and followed them, calling... pleading... The bride heard their desperate calls and turned around to face them. With a smile and loving forgiveness welling in her heart, she held out her hands to welcome them.
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Which is the bride that holds Love in her heart?
Which is the bride whom the bridegroom calls from the start?
Which bride will you be when this world falls apart?

- ESA

Reflections in Water

I've seen a few comments this morning about the lack of dramatic tsunami wave hitting Hawaii, Australia, Japan and others in the Pacific. I sit back and simply wonder this: was it because there was no major threat? That it was just media hype like some people say?

Or was it because so many in the world reached out in thought and prayer for those in harm's way ... and helped turn the tide of what could have been further disaster?

Think then on this, too: If we as the world can reach out our hearts, our minds, our prayers with love and concern and be answered in a such a positive way, what else can we do collectively? Would more survivors be found in Chili? Would the world's hearts turn from greed to helping one another? Could the world's hungry be fed? Could we actually see peace in our times?

What can we do
In this world
Together?

-ESA

Love (Poem)

LOVE

If I speak in the languages of this world and beyond
But have not Love
I am only broadcasting meaningless background noise
Serving only to draw attention to myself
And draw attention away from that which needs to be heard

If I have the gift of prophecy
And can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge
And if I have a faith that can move mountains
But have not Love
I am nothing
And my understanding becomes only self-serving
As I crow my own praises to the spotlight I seek

If I give all I possess to the poor
And help in all the good works I can
And surrender my body to the pain in this world
But have not Love
I gain nothing
For those acts become self-serving
Limited to a biography or resume/CV

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love does not envy
Love does not boast
Love is not proud
Love not rude
Love is not self-seeking

Love is not easily angered

Love keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil
But rejoices with the Truth

Love does not limit
Love does not exclude
Love does not divide
Love embraces all

Love forgives

Love always protects
Love always trusts
Love always hopes
Love always perseveres

Love never fails
In the Master Plan

But where there are prophecies, they will cease
Where there are tongues, they will be stilled
Where there is knowledge, it will pass away

For what we know is only a part
And what we prophesy is only a part
But when perfection comes
The imperfect disappears

When I was a child
I talked like a child
I thought like a child
I reasoned like a child

When I became an adult
I came to understand as an adult
I reason like an adult
I may still play like a child
But should always LOVE as a child
With all of my being - unreserved

Our understanding in All that Is
Is but a poor reflection
In a mud-splattered window
There will come a day when we will
See face to face
Understand with unfettered mind
Love without worldly limits

Now I know a small part
Then I shall understand fully
Even as I am fully understood now

There are three things
That are found in every human soul:
Faith
Hope
And Love

The greatest of these is Love.

Based on 1Corinthians 13

-ESA

Haiti

While many are blogging on Haiti, I thought I would just add my own quiet thoughts.

I've heard some say that Haiti is one of the signs of the end times.
I've heard some say that Haitians made a pact with the devil and this is their undoing.
I've heard some say that God is using Haiti to show the world His Power and that He's really pissed.
I've heard some say that Christ is working down there as more are recovered alive from the rubble.
I've heard some say that Haiti is an opportunity for the world to show some Love and kindness.

I've heard stories that there is pillaging among the ruins.
I've heard stories that there is lynching of those caught pillaging.
I've heard stories that there are women and girls raped in the aftermath.
I've heard stories that these rapes have happened long before the earthquake.

I've heard stories that donations are diverted to administration.
I've heard stories that some collecting for Haiti are lining their pockets.
I've heard stories that we all need to watch for those who call looking for money for Haiti.
I've heard stories that food and water sit on the tarmac as logistical problems are being worked on.

If one spends just an hour on Twitter, talks with a group of people, or watches a string of news footage, there are many good and bad things heard about post-quake Haiti.

My take is simply this: These are people that are hungry and homeless and many are desperately poor. With our global connectedness today, we can no longer see someone that needs help in a part of our world and claim they are not OUR NEIGHBORS.

Haiti was a desperately poor country - there are others in this world too, but we forget that.

Then something happens that brings the area to news around the world - and the world responds.

It's occurred to others too: can one answer as to "Why Haiti?" be because we - the HUMAN RACE - need to be more aware of what is going on in the rest of the world? Can we be active in helping our neighbors?

The global outreach to Haiti seems to state clearly - Yes, we can.

How often do we turn off, tune out or flip the channel away from the commercials and infomercials that show hungry children in "remote" parts of the world? How often do we avert our eyes from the homeless and hungry within a mile or two from where we live?

Times are lean economically for MANY people today. Personally, though, I've found it hard to take that first bite of a burger or dig into a healthy dinner plate without the thought that many in the world are very VERY hungry and will not have such...

My heart is gladdened - it SINGS - when I see and hear about people helping those in Haiti.
Then I wonder... how long will it last?
Like the cartoonist.

- ESA
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PS: Credit given to Tom Toles whose political cartoon is above.

Desiderata (Poem)

This past week has been a bad week. Not just for myself, but seemingly for many. Whether it is many little things all hitting at once, or a major catastrophe like the earthquake in Haiti.

I was struggling to say something I felt within - about trying to focus on the positive when the negative comes into your life. But I had come to realize, the words were already written. So instead, I present to you Desiderata:

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata

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Credit given to Inspirational-Short-Stories.com where I found this poem and the following regarding copyright to this poem.

The Desiderata poem was originally written by Max Ehrmann. It was used by Rev Frederick Kates of St Paul´s Church in Baltimore in devotional materials he compiled for his congregation. On top of this material he had written "Old St Paul´s Church, Baltimore A.C. 1692". The year was the foundation year of the church.

This probably made people think the Desiderata poem was found in the church and written in 1692.

A court ruling was that Ehrmann had forfeited his right to have the copyright of this poem protected by giving the permission to use the work gratuitously. Copies of the poem appeared everywhere and it was extremely popular in the 60s and 70s.

Later court cases have ruled in favor of copyright. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case. So there seems to be confusion about the copyright of this beautiful poem.

I wish to share the beautiful wisdom of this poem here - but not for profit (and I advice you not to do so either).

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- ESA

Ripples

Short one today
Fever makes my mind sway
And thoughts go astray... :P

When you reach out, reach out to every person you come in contact with no matter who they are or what they have to offer you in return. You may never know who you will be touching or how you will affect their lives.

Like little ripples on a pond, what you do does affect the lives of those around you. If you reach out in a positive way, an encouraging word, a helping hand, you may never see it returned from that person.

But if you watch carefully, you can actually see how your action does affect others. Your ripple sets off another set of ripples; positive thought and loving act is shared by the person you touched, who in turn touches and helps others.

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could watch how every thing flows from person to person and somehow even makes it back into your own life in a whole new and enlightening way?

You'd never know until you start the whole thing off and watch.

Reach
Ripple
Round the world

- ESA

Elephant Story (Story)

There is a destiny that makes us brothers,
None goes His way alone.
All that we send into the lives of others,
Comes back into our own.
-Edwin Markham

All of us are interconnected to each other - whether we want to be or not. We can delude ourselves by believing that we are safe in our own social niche and whatever "bad things" are outside our little comfortable space.

Break through that wall of illusion and let some Light shine in on the truth! No matter what lines we divide ourselves with - religious groups, nationalities, political or family ties, economics - therein lies the lie. We are one race of people -- humanity -- living on one very insignificant mudball spinning through the vastness of space.

So many times I hear or read statements that reiterate the same thing: Sure, I'll agree we are one, but I'm the one that's right. They have to come around to my way of thinking.

There's a story I like to share, an elephant story:

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Five blind men approached an elephant for the first time in their lives.

The first blind man reached out and touched the elephant's trunk. "The elephant," he described, "is like a long flexible hose with a tough hide."

The second man reached out and found the elephant's ear. He agreed that the elephant had a tough hide but he argued that the first man was wrong. "The elephant is NOT like a long flexible hose but rather like a large thick parchment."

The third man approached the elephant's side and told the first two they were wrong. "Clearly," he debated, "the elephant is some huge immense beast for it goes on beyond my reach in all directions." When he placed he ear against the elephant, he could hear the elephant's thunderous breath. But, he conceded, the elephant had a tough hide.

The fourth man approached the elephant carefully, after hearing what the third had to say. He was a bit surprised when he found the elephant's leg. "The elephant isn't so huge," he laughed at the third man, "for I can wrap my arms around it. But the elephant is strong, feel the muscle under the tough hide."

By far the most curious now, the fifth and final blind man approached the elephant and stretched out his hand, completely uncertain what he would encounter. His hand touched and grasped the elephant's tail. Feeling it in detail, the man paused in wonder. "Why, this is no more than a flexible stick with a tough hide and tuft of hair on it's end, not too different than a paintbrush."

Which blind man truly saw the elephant?

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Thus it is with humanity, we've been blessed that we are allowed to see things from many different perspectives. Only through collaboration and cooperation can we all come to understand things fully.

All five admitted that the elephant had a tough hide. There is, likewise, common ground we all share - we smile, we cry, we laugh, we love. We can either use the different perceptions we have to divide us or let us grow in mutual understanding of something much, much greater than ourselves.

One Light. One Love. Many ways through which humanity is touched.
Do we continue to draw lines?
Or do we open minds?

- ESA

Erasing Lines

The world as we have come to know it is a large, vast place full of wondrous variety and diversity. But sometimes the nature in human beings to classify, to list -- to pigeonhole comes out in us all. With this we draw lines - circles, boxes, squares. We separate ourselves and create a we/them dichotomy that creates alienation, segregation, separation, war, feelings of loftiness and even hatred.

There is a poem, I often quote:
They drew a circle to shut us out.
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout!

But Love and us had the wit to win,
We drew a circle that took them in.
- Original by Edward Markham

In the late 1960's, humanity saw something that it never saw before, pictures of our world as seen from a vast distance: one blue-green world with white lacing; no borders marking countries, no name tags on cities. This is an image that stuck in the minds of many who had the fortune of being around in those days -- we're one world.

Then we went back to our borders, our religions, our races, our cultures, our political beliefs, our myriad ways of separating ourselves from our fellow human beings. "We are not like them," we told ourselves. "They are so different and strange." And wars continued; prejudices still thrived. And we kept telling ourselves that our little circle was the ONE TRUE circle and all others are wrong.

The "if you're not with us, you are against us" mentality still exists today as it has for thousands of years. We never really changed, even when we saw with our own eyes that we are of ONE WORLD.

Now over four decades later, people are seeing the world through different eyes once again. The internet has allowed us to step outside of our little circles and explore what exists in others. In doing so, many have come to see "Hey, we're not so different." In fact, many have reached out and befriended others around the world, regardless of country, religion or politics. They find they share common interests and some common beliefs even if they are expressed differently within the circles they were brought up in.

Language barriers that often were an overwhelming hurdle are now simply overcome as more and more online translators make communicating with others easier. People are able to hold conversations with people anywhere in this world - in real time (if they are awake at the same time) or within mere hours - with someone who doesn't speak the same language.

We still find the old adage is true: a smile is still a smile; a laugh is still a laugh; and a tear is still a tear, regardless of where we are and what language we speak.

My hope is that this is the time when many will come forth with not pencils and mark "This is ours; that is yours," but will turn that instrument of destruction around and erase those lines!

We are all human beings. We are of one world surrounded by the vastness of space. When we continue to squabble like spoiled siblings in a household, we will fail to reach our true potential. It's only when we reach out and take each others hands, erasing the lines between us, can we discover how much common ground we really have. And it's on this common ground, we can build the foundation to a better world.

Can one person do this? No. But one person can make a start, reaching out to anyone to whom (s)he contacts. In turn, those people can do the same. Little steps lead to bigger ones.

I was born in the year man first set foot on the moon and looked back upon the Earth. Before my time is done on this world, I'd like to see it reach the point when one person looks at another, all they see is a fellow human being. One who shares the common ground of living in the same world, and may have many other things in common as well.

All one needs to do is reach out and discover them.

Stop drawing lines.
Start erasing.

- ESA

Little Flame (Poem)

I have a little flame

At the center of my heart

I know how it got there

God was the very start

+ + +

One little flame

In a vast dark place

One little smile

That won't be displaced

+ + +

Light a flame beside me

Hence there are two

It's now a little brighter

We know what to do

+ + +

It could be a smile

Or a helping hand

All the different ways

As countless as sand

+ + +

Pass on a kindness

Or uplifting word

Light another flame

Against this dark world

+ + +

Like little ripples

On the surface of a pond

Little flames alight

When the heart is fond

+ + +

Ever-widening circles

Spread the Light and Love

As our little flames

Reflect the One Above

+ + +

Further and further

Light this shining ball!

One little flame

Can encompass us all

+ + +

When the darkness comes

To blow our flames out

There is one thing that

It hasn't figured out

+ + +

Within each heart

A little flame is found

And with a some effort

We can send it back around!

- ESA

PS: Feel free to copy, repost or share freely, provided you do not receive funds in doing so.

Panic-->Positive Thought

I believe I'm safe in assuming that many others are blogging about the swine flu over the last few days, so I thought to throw my own voice into the communal conundrum, hopefully as a little light of hope.

Whether or not the swine flu will evolve into a global pandemic I cannot say.

But before people start to panic, start fist fights at the stores over supplies or go deep into the bunker mentality, I'd like to propose a few simple things that are much simpler and cost effective:

• Wash your hands - before eating, after using the rest room, after shaking hands, before touching your face, after wiping a child's nose, after blowing your own nose, etc. Simple soap and water can go a long way. Wash front and back of your hands and rinse under running water with your fingers pointing downwards so it doesn't wash onto your wrists/arms.

• Use tissues - sneeze or cough into a tissue and dispose of it right away; use a tissue for the toilet handle, restroom knobs/latches, or other areas where germs are high. If you must sneeze and there are no tissues around, sneeze or cough into the crook of your elbow or on the upper portion of your sleeve. If you sneeze or cough into your hands, wash them right away. But certainly cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.

• Clean doorknobs, phone headsets / handsets, keyboards, mice and other equipment that are used by multiple people or when you become ill.

• Use your hands to touch paperwork, shake hands, etc. unless you know for certain the person is ill or if required by local mandate. Then gloves would be recommended. We still need the human touch, don't be afraid of it. If you ARE sick, politely decline handshakes until you are well again.

• If you are sick, stay home. Otherwise, it will not only help spread what you have but it will also make your co-workers edgy and distracted at the workplace. If possible, make arrangements to work from home or on a different schedule when you are sick and cannot afford to be out.

• Keep informed and know from where you are getting the information. Does the person have authority or experience in the subject or are they just voicing their concerns, opinions or dismissal of what's happening? (If you're wondering, the information here is a compilation from CDC and other government sources that I've prepared to present to the company President and employees where I work).

• Does your company have any emergency or contingency plans in place? Before you say "No" or "Of course not" check with Human Resources or the President (or similar). Many organizations have been working on these plans a little more ethusiatically since Katrina.

• Does your community have a plan? Find out.

If you decide to take away only one thing from this post today, I would say forget everything else above and keep this one: THINK POSITIVE.

There is far more that positive thought can achieve than most people realize. Cancer patients and those who are seriously ill or hurt that have the "I will get through this" attititude, do! Those who think the worst and let the fear rise up and occupy their thoughts and conversations, fall. The same can and does apply to almost anything we encounter in this world.

Granted thinking "Your not going to hit this beach" at a tidal wave before you may not work. But then again, Someone once said that "If you tell a mountain to move and believe it will, the mountain will move." Human beings have been known to do the "impossible" time and again. Faith that we can do things often brings the impossible to the reality of the possible. If too many people believe -- sincerely believe -- this swine flu will bring humanity to its knees and end civilization, this very fear CAN become reality!

That's why I stress the need for Positive Thought. Do not just go around thinking "we'll get through this" but BELIEVE it, in your heart as well as your head. We can make a difference. If we believe, it too can become reality.

Believe.
Pass the tissues.
And God Bless You!

- ESA

Elephant Story (Story)

Hello folks,

There is a story I love to share with others, an elephant story. This is based on an oral story passed on to me.

__________________________________

Five blind men approached an elephant for the first time in their lives.

The first blind man reached out and touched the elephant's trunk. "The elephant," he described, "is like a long flexible hose with a tough hide."

The second man reached out and found the elephant's ear. He agreed that the elephant had a tough hide but he argued that the first man was wrong. "The elephant is NOT like a long flexible hose but rather like a large thick parchment."

The third man approached the elephants side and told the first two they were wrong. "Clearly," he debated, "the elephant is some huge immense beast for it goes on beyond my reach in all directions." When he placed he ear against the elephant, he could hear the elephant's thunderous breath. But, he conceded, the elephant had a tough hide.

The fourth man approached the elephant carefully, after hearing what the third had to say. He was a bit surprised when he found the elephant's leg. "The elephant isn't so huge," he laughed at the third man, "for I can wrap my arms around it. But the elephant is strong, feel the muscle under the tough hide."

By far the most curious now, the fifth and final blind man approached the elephant and stretched out his hand, completely uncertain what he would encounter. His hand touched and grasped the elephant's tail. Feeling it in detail, the man paused in wonder. "Why, this is no more than a flexible stick with a tuft of hair on it's end, not too different than a paintbrush."

Which blind man truly saw the elephant?

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Thus I believe it is with God and humanity. We all see God but from a different perspective. Only through collaboration can we all come to understand the God that works through all our world's religions. One Light. One Love. Many ways through which humanity is touched.

- ESA