Jacob is 18 years old today. For me this is a huge pinnacle, my baby is grown up! When that happened, I do not know. He has grown into an amazing young man, with a tender heart and the intelligence of his childhood hero Albert Einstein; or at least the self confidence to convince us of that.
Following are a few of my favorite memories of Jacob.
Christmas, 1996, Making Christmas cookies with Suzie and the kids. Of course it results in a flour fight and some very ugly, yet endearing, cookies for Santa. "What you doing Jacob"? "Wookin' at woo." This was the same year the 'carrot tradition' began. If you don't know what the carrot tradition is, just drive by our house Christmas day and you'll see baby carrots everywhere. If Santa gets cookies then the reindeer deserve carrots, right?
It was nineteen hundred and ninety nine, Jacob is at an after school program, swinging he decides to jump out of the swing; many of us know what happened next. It didn't go so well, Jacob is rushed to the emergency room with a broken femur bone. When all is said and done, Jacob has spent six weeks in a full body cast. What an experience that was for all of us. One of my fondest memories was carrying Jacob outside, putting him in a lawn chair or sitting him on the back of my truck to look at the stars together. Those were some of my favorite moments with Jacob.
Inspiration in Chicago
I recently visited Chicago, what an amazing city. Even though the city did inspire me and I was impressed with it's magnificence; what truly inspired me was meeting up with a friend from my childhood. Teresa and I have known each other since kindergarten; it's been over 30 years since we've seen each other.
I don't feel at liberty to write about Teresa's life, that's her story to tell, suffice it to say Teresa has beat the odds and has done amazing things in her life. Listening to her and being with her was such a joy. She is happy and confident and gives you the impression that all things are possible.
Teresa has this great job taking her all over the world. She loves what she does and I get the impression she is very good at what she does. I thought, wow she's arrived; then she tells me she has a five year plan, this five year plan takes her to an entirely new adventure. She's not stopping, she's going to continue to move forward and accomplish new things. This was my moment of inspiration; I am going to make a five year plan too. Why should I settle for something I'm only somewhat satisfied with when there are so many opportunities in front of me. Not that I'm unhappy with my own accomplishments; I have no regrets. I've done a lot of things, and I'm very proud of myself. However, I have found myself thinking, "what if I had..." or "if I could do it over again, I would...".
I don't feel at liberty to write about Teresa's life, that's her story to tell, suffice it to say Teresa has beat the odds and has done amazing things in her life. Listening to her and being with her was such a joy. She is happy and confident and gives you the impression that all things are possible.
Teresa has this great job taking her all over the world. She loves what she does and I get the impression she is very good at what she does. I thought, wow she's arrived; then she tells me she has a five year plan, this five year plan takes her to an entirely new adventure. She's not stopping, she's going to continue to move forward and accomplish new things. This was my moment of inspiration; I am going to make a five year plan too. Why should I settle for something I'm only somewhat satisfied with when there are so many opportunities in front of me. Not that I'm unhappy with my own accomplishments; I have no regrets. I've done a lot of things, and I'm very proud of myself. However, I have found myself thinking, "what if I had..." or "if I could do it over again, I would...".
Jacob has Graduated!!!
Last night my baby graduated!! Now this is a very monumental occasion. Why? Several reasons:
1) Soon we will no longer need to feed him.
2) Once he's off to college it won't be quite so obvious to us that he's playing WOW way too much.
3) We can fumigate the basement.
4) We can turn the basement into some amazing adult game room with a flat screen tv, a full bar, and a pool table. (we probably won't, but we could).
5) We no longer have to remind ourselves that we are still parenting this young man who lives in the basement.
Numerology
Thanks to a good friend's inspiration, my interest in Numerology has been reignited. OK, so I've been known to be a bit woo woo at times; going off on spiritual or metaphysical tangents, sometimes for years at a time. Numerology is something I seem to return to time and time again. I first tapped into it several years ago; it holds a certain intrigue for me. Maybe because it is analytical and intuitive; melding mathematics and science with spirituality.
Numerology is not so much a prediction of things to come but more like a road map of how things can be manifest at their highest potential. If we're aware of the road map we have the opportunity to focus our energy and attention; therefore, manifesting exactly what we need and want in our lives and in the Universe.
The Chaldean system of Numerology is based on the fact that letters, representing sound, have vibrational patterns. The Chaldean system assigns the number value by sound. The theory being that our birth name and our birthdate bring certain significance to our numerological blueprint. The blueprint shows us how our personal vibrational patterns resonate with the energy around us; with other people in our lives, with our home, our workplace, our community and our world.
One of my favorite aspects of numerology is the numero-log. Using the numbers correlating with the letters in our birthname and our birthdate, you build a numero-log. This log can act as a roadmap, helping us see what is happening in our lives. It helps us see how to use that vibration and energy to move from where we are to where we want to be. It makes us responsible for our present situation and our future; offering insight and guidance to help us take advantage of our unique place in the world.
When asked if I "believe" in numerology, tarot cards or astrology; my answer is "I don't know". I have the same answer when it comes to God, Jesus or prayer. I tend to think it's all just symbols and ideologies to help us through our lives. I do believe all things have potential for good and equal potential for bad. So whatever I believe in the moment, I try to stay in the goodness of it. Staying out of the judgment, the intolerance and the condescending behavior of thinking that I have some higher or better knowledge than someone else. I try to remember it's just a "belief", no matter how hard I believe in it; it's just a belief. I try to touch base every day with what's real, the people and the life around me; treating everyone and everything with respect.
I don't know what I believe. I live in the moment and believe what I see, hear, touch and feel in that moment. I believe in handling the moment with my best intention and my best efforts; loving and respecting those around me. And I believe in trying again the first, second, third and millionth time I've slipped up.
I never forget to laugh at myself, I try not to take myself too seriously, but those of you who know me know that's one of my biggest challenges. I enjoy philosophizing with friends and others. My mind seems to always be tuned in to spirituality; meaning, I'm fascinated with the sociology of religion and belief systems; how they start, how they form, how they fall. If I knew how to make money by researching and writing about religion, culture, belief systems I would. But for now, I'll just sit in my favorite armchair with my cup of coffee and blog for the entire stratosphere but mostly for myself.
Numerology is not so much a prediction of things to come but more like a road map of how things can be manifest at their highest potential. If we're aware of the road map we have the opportunity to focus our energy and attention; therefore, manifesting exactly what we need and want in our lives and in the Universe.
The Chaldean system of Numerology is based on the fact that letters, representing sound, have vibrational patterns. The Chaldean system assigns the number value by sound. The theory being that our birth name and our birthdate bring certain significance to our numerological blueprint. The blueprint shows us how our personal vibrational patterns resonate with the energy around us; with other people in our lives, with our home, our workplace, our community and our world.
One of my favorite aspects of numerology is the numero-log. Using the numbers correlating with the letters in our birthname and our birthdate, you build a numero-log. This log can act as a roadmap, helping us see what is happening in our lives. It helps us see how to use that vibration and energy to move from where we are to where we want to be. It makes us responsible for our present situation and our future; offering insight and guidance to help us take advantage of our unique place in the world.
When asked if I "believe" in numerology, tarot cards or astrology; my answer is "I don't know". I have the same answer when it comes to God, Jesus or prayer. I tend to think it's all just symbols and ideologies to help us through our lives. I do believe all things have potential for good and equal potential for bad. So whatever I believe in the moment, I try to stay in the goodness of it. Staying out of the judgment, the intolerance and the condescending behavior of thinking that I have some higher or better knowledge than someone else. I try to remember it's just a "belief", no matter how hard I believe in it; it's just a belief. I try to touch base every day with what's real, the people and the life around me; treating everyone and everything with respect.
I don't know what I believe. I live in the moment and believe what I see, hear, touch and feel in that moment. I believe in handling the moment with my best intention and my best efforts; loving and respecting those around me. And I believe in trying again the first, second, third and millionth time I've slipped up.
I never forget to laugh at myself, I try not to take myself too seriously, but those of you who know me know that's one of my biggest challenges. I enjoy philosophizing with friends and others. My mind seems to always be tuned in to spirituality; meaning, I'm fascinated with the sociology of religion and belief systems; how they start, how they form, how they fall. If I knew how to make money by researching and writing about religion, culture, belief systems I would. But for now, I'll just sit in my favorite armchair with my cup of coffee and blog for the entire stratosphere but mostly for myself.
The Man in the Sky
We watched an good movie last night titled "The Invention of Lying". It had a lot of interesting subtexts to be inspired by and to laugh at. Ricky Gervais did a good job portraying a world where no one was capable of lying until one man figured out how he could take advantage of everyone by saying whatever he wanted to in order to create his new fortune and fame.
"The Man in the Sky" being one of my favorite lies in the movie. While I'm sure this will ruffle the feathers of some, I found it to be quite funny and refreshing. It was about the invention of God for our own benefit; created to comfort us and to justify our lies and our lives.
I don't know if there is a God, I lean towards not believing in God. I don't understand how people can believe in God and Satan or in heaven and hell. But just because I don't understand it doesn't make it true or not true. As far as the topic of God is concerned I have decided the truth is irrelevant. That being said, I find the topic of God(s) and religion quite interesting. I could make a career out of studying why people believe what they believe and the path bringing them to their belief. I love the anthropology behind religious belief. I just wish religion and the extreme practice of religion didn't cause such division, judgment, heartache and destruction in the world.
Regardless of whether you believe in God or not, I recommend this movie. It is funny and entertaining, and it, undeniably, tells the truth about Coca Cola...
Have fun and be good.
Good Judgment
Five am, I'm wide awake; I have my coffee with vanilla frothy goodness, a candle and good music. The perfect moment for blogging and I have nothing on my mind. It's unusual that I'm not consumed with some crazy something to write about... wait a minute something just occurred to me.I have recently been looking back on my facebook notes and I realized I never got back to thinking about, or commenting on a question a friend wrote on one of my posts.
The following thought was posed by Laurie Edwards, a new/old friend from high school. Laurie wrote this in response to an essay I had written about "Sin and Sinners".
"Isn't there a point at which each of us--or each group of us--MUST legislate what we think is right, outlawing that which we believe is wrong? At what point do individual rights get outweighed by the greater general good? Yeah, I know that "slippery slope" crap has been used by too many right-wingers to inflict their morality on us, but it DOES have some merit: Where do you draw the line between your right to live your life as you see fit, and society's right to make decisions for the group?"
In an effort to clarify and bring Laurie's question into context, my notes were about "hate the sin, love the sinner" and how much I dislike this phrase. I think those who might say this have good intention but, who's to say what is a sin and who is the sinner. It often times comes across a pious and judgmental.
In our efforts to become a truly non-judgmental person or society we need to live our lives and let others live theirs; seeking to be truly happy for all. I don't claim to be perfect at this, if I were I wouldn't be judging the judgmental.
So, when does it become OK to judge right and wrong and, as a society, place laws and restriction on people's choices and actions. Big question, I'm sure there are a lot of different opinions amongst my friends who frequent my blog. Feel free to comment and share your own take on the topic.
I feel like it is my responsibility to live my life, to the best of my ability, according to the "Four Agreements" while letting others live their life from wherever they happen to be at the time. Believing we are all exactly where we are suppose to be at all times. Not believing that where I am is any better or worse than where anyone else is.
That being said, there are those who take advantage of others and hurt others. This can be on a small scale, like stealing a neighbors newspaper; or a large scale, like 9/11 or the Holocaust.
In the US we make an effort to protect individuals and society by having laws and rules put into place by people who are chosen by a majority of the group at large. This is far from a perfect system, in fact I think the system is so broken it doesn't work most of the time. I want to clarify I'm not one who thinks we don't need government, I'm more one who would like to fix government. Another topic another day.
Back to Laurie's question; if we accept that there need to be laws in order to protect individuals and society then where is the line between law and freedom of choice?
I do believe government should regulate to protect the environment from large corporations who would dump their waste into our air and water; or an insurance company who would withhold a life saving medical treatment from someone who can't afford to pay for it; or from banks who charge outlandish interest rates on credit cards to make a profit; or a pharmaceutical company who would knowingly sale a drug for the wrong reason, resulting in someones death. (I do go on and on sometimes, don't I?) I believe government should legislate to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen.
I don't believe government should be in the business of defining morality. What I mean by that is the government needs to keep their nose out of my spiritual beliefs, my family lifestyle and my sex life. Unless my spiritual beliefs, my family lifestyle or my sex life hurts another person or group of people. If my spiritual practice is to participate in human or animal sacrifice, then by all means step in. If my sex life involves raping another person or forcing someone to bend to my will, then step in.
It becomes a question of definition, with each of us defining things according to our beliefs. For example, I think Suzie and I should have the opportunity to marry and raise our family just like anyone else; I don't see how that can harm anyone. Yet someone else, perhaps even someone reading this post, might believe if Suzie and I were allowed to marry it would re-define marriage and, somehow, harm society or their family. I don't want to turn this into a discussion on gay marriage. I'm just using this in an effort to put across my point about legislating morality.
To summarize, I believe there is a place for judgment both in our own lives and in society at large. On an individual basis the trick is to make personal judgments in order to improve our own life not another person's life. On a societal basis, I think the trick is to leave God and religion out of it, and seek to protect human rights.
And, there are my thoughts for the day...
WTF Supreme Court?!?!
Wow, I haven't posted since October. It's not that I haven't been drinking carafes full of coffee or having tons of inspirations. I just didn't feel the need to share, I guess. However, the recent ruling of the Supreme Court has re-energized my anger and frustration.
I'm frustrated on so many levels at the Supreme Court ruling to give corporations and unions the right to give as freely as they like in federal elections. This further corrupts an already corrupt political system flooded with special interest money.
Saying that corporations and unions need protection for their 1st amendment rights is ludicrous. They are NOT people. Here's a thought each corporation or union that wants to claim their rights to freedom of speech should be willing to have an individual who is responsible for the words being spoken. That person would will also be the one responsible for the corporation when they murder someone or dump waste in our water. In other words, the pharmaceutical company that wants to blast the airways with ads for or against health care, or any other issue or politician, can do so; but when one of their drugs is found to be responsible for the death of someone that person goes in front of jury and is brought to justice; just like you or I would be if we killed someone. That person, if the corporation is found guilty, would go to jail. Not just required to pay a fine as in so many cases that involve pharmaceutical companies that knowingly push harmful drugs.
We, as a people, need to educate ourselves on all issues and candidates. The low information voter who bases their decision on TV ads or radio ads needs to arm themselves with information and knowledge. Visit websites like factcheck.org, find reliable sources dealing with fact not opinion. Form your own ideas independent of public or party opinion. This is hard work, few people do it. I, myself, am guilty of going straight to the endorsement page to see who is for or against a measure or a particular politician. The way that bills and measures are written make it difficult for the lay person to understand them, therefore, opinion happens. Talk to people and read information; listen to the opinion of groups and individuals you trust and base your own conclusions on what you learn from them. Don't limit yourself to the people who agree with you.
It would be very helpful to me if all politicians, like Nascar drivers, would wear patches of their sponsors; they should visibly wear some symbol of their top ten contributors. If a politician is owned by big oil or banking or the Teamsters, they should have a hat or a patch letting us know who owns them. Who is really voting on the floor of the senate or the house legislating my life.
I've always felt that the real civil war in this country is going to end up being a "class war". This becomes more and more evident every year, big money against "we the people". What good is my $100 political contribution going to do against the treasury of a Fortune 500 company. I guess I'll hang on to my money and buy groceries.
I'm frustrated on so many levels at the Supreme Court ruling to give corporations and unions the right to give as freely as they like in federal elections. This further corrupts an already corrupt political system flooded with special interest money.
Saying that corporations and unions need protection for their 1st amendment rights is ludicrous. They are NOT people. Here's a thought each corporation or union that wants to claim their rights to freedom of speech should be willing to have an individual who is responsible for the words being spoken. That person would will also be the one responsible for the corporation when they murder someone or dump waste in our water. In other words, the pharmaceutical company that wants to blast the airways with ads for or against health care, or any other issue or politician, can do so; but when one of their drugs is found to be responsible for the death of someone that person goes in front of jury and is brought to justice; just like you or I would be if we killed someone. That person, if the corporation is found guilty, would go to jail. Not just required to pay a fine as in so many cases that involve pharmaceutical companies that knowingly push harmful drugs.
We, as a people, need to educate ourselves on all issues and candidates. The low information voter who bases their decision on TV ads or radio ads needs to arm themselves with information and knowledge. Visit websites like factcheck.org, find reliable sources dealing with fact not opinion. Form your own ideas independent of public or party opinion. This is hard work, few people do it. I, myself, am guilty of going straight to the endorsement page to see who is for or against a measure or a particular politician. The way that bills and measures are written make it difficult for the lay person to understand them, therefore, opinion happens. Talk to people and read information; listen to the opinion of groups and individuals you trust and base your own conclusions on what you learn from them. Don't limit yourself to the people who agree with you.
It would be very helpful to me if all politicians, like Nascar drivers, would wear patches of their sponsors; they should visibly wear some symbol of their top ten contributors. If a politician is owned by big oil or banking or the Teamsters, they should have a hat or a patch letting us know who owns them. Who is really voting on the floor of the senate or the house legislating my life.
I've always felt that the real civil war in this country is going to end up being a "class war". This becomes more and more evident every year, big money against "we the people". What good is my $100 political contribution going to do against the treasury of a Fortune 500 company. I guess I'll hang on to my money and buy groceries.
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