Getting Connected
May 31, 2007
“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” -James Oppenheim
Today is very special. Besides being your “un-birthday”, it’s the first day of the rest of your life.
We’ve all heard that one. We acknowledge the wisdom and move on — checking our watches and calendars to see how long before the “good stuff” starts happening.
Our impatience and anxiety prevent us from focusing our awareness on “now”. As a result we never discover it’s full potential or give ourselves permission to enjoy it.
We recognize many important holidays on the calendar; Christmas, New Years etc…and these are the times when we have permission to celebrate.
Surprisingly, many people report having “depression” around the holidays. Could it be that our enjoyment muscles have grown flabby or that we’ve been driving ourselves nuts to get there.
Just as we don’t have permission to enjoy “now”, we also don’t have permission to enjoy “here”. We can’t wait to go on vacations to visit the “good places”
We’re certainly not allowed to enjoy our jobs. We want to move on so that we get to be with the “smart people”.
Early Spring Cleaning
May 30, 2007
Has anyone noticed how fast 2004 is going? Hey, we are in December already. I really like December not only because people are nicer to each other and all the pretty decorations are around, but people stop and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas.
Did you get that gift you wanted last year from your husband or wife or are you wishing for it again this year? I encourage you to go for it and I also want to invite you to accept a FREE gift that is greater than any gift you can imagine. That gift is to accept Jesus into your home and most importantly into your life this Christmas. Make it a personal gift. You do not have to go shopping for it, you do not have to wish or beg for it, just simply ask and it will be given to you.
In return for the gift of inviting Jesus to dine with you and live in you, do some early spring cleaning. Think of all the things that are worrying you and getting you down. Give them to Jesus, he will gladly accept them. Most importantly tell him thank you for taking them from you. Do not worry that he can’t handle them, he can handle truck loads of worry.
The Trickster of Folklore
May 30, 2007
Folklore includes a traditional trickster figure, the subject of many stories in a cycle. Trickster tales are in the animal tales genre, with the trickster himself — he seems always to be male — identified with a particular animal. These include the fox in Japan, mouse deer in Southeast Asia, the coyote and the spider among the Native Americans, the tortoise and spider in West Africa, and the mantis in Southern Africa.
These tales feature a trickster-hero who may be regarded as both creator god and innocent fool, evil destroyer and childlike prankster.
Tricksters are usually small in size next to the large, strong animals that appear in the same folktales. Tricksters survive by their wits, but they do more than just survive. They constantly play tricks on the animals around them, outwitting and mistreating their powerful neighbours even when these larger animals haven’t done anything to deserve it. Occasionally he overreaches himself and finds that he’s been too clever for his own good.
It’s the Trickster who points out the flaws in our carefully managed societies. He rebels against authority, pokes fun at the overly serious, creates complex schemes and generally plays with the Laws of the Universe. He constantly questions the rules, and causes us to question these same rules. The Trickster appears when a way of thinking becomes outmoded, when old ways need to be changed.
Bible and Kabbalah: The Hardening of Pharoahs Heart
May 29, 2007
There is continuous creation, out of the new ideas discovered in the Torah.
Zohar, Genesis, Introduction, 52
OUR PURPOSE FOR THE STUDY
Students of Kabbalah understand the Torah (Hebrew Bible) as a mystical book wherein the Kabbalistic system is embodied in allegories and symbols. Thus, the Torah and the Kabbalah are dependent on and complete each other. . The illumination emanating from the study ignites the soul, setting it on fire with the awareness of a deeper and Higher Reality. Its study and insights are themselves mystical experiences.
INTRODUCTION - BIBLICAL TEXT:
“Come to Pharoah, for I have hardened his heart” (Exodus 10:1)
In this week’s Torah portion, we read that G-d hardens Pharoah’s heart. In Hebrew thought, the heart is the core of a person, the seat of emotions, intellect and will. Regarding the above Biblical verse several questions must be raised: If G-d was controlling Pharoah’s heart, then Pharoah had no choice to do what he did and was therefore not really making his own decisions. Why then blame Pharoah for anything? Additionally, where is the Free Will in all this?
Clearing a Path for Happiness
May 28, 2007
In the United States, the pursuit of happiness is a god-given right and Americans have a document to prove it. But I wonder why the Founding Fathers deliberately phrased it, ‘the pursuit of happiness’, as if to say — happiness in itself cannot be granted because it was, and still remains, tied to materialism. In the "pursuit" of happiness, it is each person’s own definition: riches, health, religion, etc.
Take, as an example, the pessimist and optimist. If anything bad happens, the pessimist believes it will not last long but will surely undermine his life. He feels the deck is stacked against him, yet being more realistic than the optimist, he prepares himself for misfortune.
The optimist regards it as a temporary setback and goes about removing the obstacle. He risks more but these efforts give meaning to his life and he makes the best of it. To acquire is to be happy (so the culture teaches) therefore blessed are they for among them are corporate executives in their mansions.
Is Your Life Significant?
May 27, 2007
“I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” - Matthew 16:18 (NASU)
The words of Jesus above spoken to Peter conveyed many meanings. They were not only an utterance of prophecy. They were meant also to build up and to give Peter a life of significance. Peter was a man given to impulse, a characteristic that belied an obvious need to be esteemed.
There are many like Peter, people who desire a life of significance. Yet, in this world of increasing materialism, instant gratification and compromised morals, finding significance is more like a search for the Holy Grail.
Still, living a life of significance is possible. It begins with four thoughts we can find in the verse quoted above.
1. KNOW YOU ARE SPECIAL (”…You are Peter”). Jesus wasn’t merely reminding Peter of his name. He was, in effect, saying, “You are somebody. In fact, you’re no longer Simon the fisherman, but Peter the rock!”
Ethics in Business…A Lost Art
May 26, 2007
While watching Face the Nation one Sunday earlier this year, Bob Schiffer discussed the airline industry, his mother and ethics in business. Like Bob, I think it is a sad commentary today, that we have to police businesses. Whatever happened to going into business to provide a needed service, being loyal to employees, and keeping promises.
It seems like no one today is concerned about doing good business or being ethical in the process. Our forefathers would be ashamed at what this society has come to. I know I am.
Chuck and I teach our students how to run a good business, by being ethical, and making sure that everyone is happy. We run our business using the adage, "The customer is always right". We know, however, from looking at others in business both on and offline, that we are in the minority. For most it is all about making money. They don’t care who they have to step on, how many lies they tell, just "show them the money". As I pointed out in my article regarding "The Almighty Buck", this should not be your only incentive for going into business, and if it is, you won’t be in business long.
Heraldry in the Crafts–Why Not Specialize?
May 25, 2007
I have a small website where I try to sell custom-made lapel buttons. In addition to these made-to-order buttons I also offer several specialty lines of off-the-shelf items and at this time of year I’m usually concerned with one of those lines in particular: Irish heraldic buttons. St. Patrick’s Day approaches.
I’m in no sense an expert on heraldry. Still, although there are many button sites like mine I’m not aware of any other with a line of products like that one and I don’t know why that should be true. It struck me the other day that heraldry might offer a wide range of opportunities for specialization–and to craftspersons in almost any field from pottery to needlepoint to weaving, rugmaking, and even quilting.
It’s true that we no longer live in the age of chivalry and that not all Americans are caught up in the study of their ancestry and ethnic heritage, but surprisingly many of us are. For example, Overture reports that in November of 2004 the exact phrase “Irish heraldry” was searched for on the web 140 times. Note that this doesn’t include possible searches for related terms like Gaelic, Celtic, shields, crests, coats of arms, etc. And it says nothing at all about searches for heraldic information from any other part of the world or for heraldry in general. As a matter of fact, during the month of November the word “heraldry” was used in 11,869 searches, so it seems that a market may well exist.
How To Avoid Deception!
May 25, 2007
GREAT PROPHECY TIPS
HOW TO UNMASK DECEPTION
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions."
ALL MIRACLES MUST BE TESTED
"The last great delusion is soon to open before us. Anti Christ is to perform his marvelous works in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit resemble the true that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested."
CHOOSE TO BE MEN AND WOMEN OF HONOR!!
"None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. To every soul will come the searching test: shall I obey God rather than men? The decisive hour is even now at hand."
Design Psychology: How to Create Happy Homes Using Scents
May 24, 2007
Our sense of smell elicits strong emotional reactions and trigger powerful memories, whether we’re consciously aware of it or not.
Scents and Feelings
Our olfactory system sends a chemical message about the scents around us through the limbic part of our brain, which is the oldest part of our brain. In seconds, that message is telegraphed to our central nervous system, which, in turn, controls how our body functions and how we feel about those smells.
Scents also influence the temperature we feel emotionally. For instance, a grass matting floor covering has a pleasant scent, and makes us feel cooler, while the aroma of fresh baked bread creates a warm feeling of being loved. Marine scents, such as salty sea air, refresh us, while spice and wood scents bring warm thoughts.
The Evolution of Aromatherapy
The ancient civilizations of Arabia, Babylon, China, Egypt, Greece, India, and Rome all used the aromas of scented plants, flowers, and woods to heal and protect. Religious and spiritual ceremonies have used aromas to arouse mankind’s deeply spiritual nature from the dawn of time. Today, the science of aromatherapy, which is a holistic healing practice, uses essential oils and herbs, to treat stress-related illnesses, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive ailments, and even skin problems.
