New Years Eve Jar

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Right Now

Unknown

Right now, there are people all over

the world Who are just like you.

They're lonely. They're missing

Somebody. They're in love with

Someone they probably shouldn't be

In love with. They have secrets you

Wouldn't believe. They wish and they

Dream and they hope, and they look

Out the window whenever they're in

The car or on a bus or a train and they

Watch people on the streets and

Wonder what they've been through.

They wonder if there are people out

There like them. They're like you, and

You could tell them everything and they

Would understand. And right now,

They're sitting here reading these words,

And I'm writing this for you so you

Don't feel alone anymore.

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EGO

EGO - The part of you that defines itself as a personality,

separates itself from the outside world, and considers

itself (you) a separate entity from the rest of nature

and the cosmos. Perhaps necessary for survival in

some evolutionary bygone, in modern time it

leads only to (albeit often disguised) misanthropic

beliefs and delusion.

 

In short ... "I"

 

Ego is responsible for hate, fear and delusion.

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Here & Now, Darling!

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All The World's a Stage

 

"For what else is the life of man but a kind of play

in which men in various costumes perform

until the director motions them off the stage.

-Erasmus

"All the world's a stage" is the phrase that begins a monologue from William Shakespeare's As You Like It. The speech compares the world to a stage and life to a play, catalogueing the seven stages of a man's life, sometimes referred to as the seven ages of man: infant, schoolboy, lover, soldier, justice, Pantalone and old age — facing imminent death. It is one of Shakespeare's most frequently quoted passages.

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.

The Seven Ages

The Infancy

In this stage the man is born as a helpless baby and knows little but waiting as a man in embryo to spring out.

The Schoolboy

Here, he begins his schooling; the charms of helpless innocence cease. It is in that stage of life that he begins to go to school. He is unwilling to leave the protected environment of his home as he is still not confident enough to exercise his own discretion.

The Lover

The lover is depicted as a young man composing his love poems, shown beneath two pictures of Cupid, the god of love and on the left, Romeo-Juliet balcony scene. In this stage he is always maudlin, expressing his love in a fatuous manner. He makes himself ridiculous in trying to express his feelings.

The Soldier

Here, he is hot-blooded with a high degree of self-respect. He looks forward to gaining a reputation, even if it costs him his life. He is inflamed with the love of war and, like a leopard, he charges. He is very easily aroused and is hot headed. He is always working towards making a reputation for himself, however short-lived it may be, even at the cost of foolish risks.

The Justice

In this stage he thinks he has acquired wisdom through the many experiences he has had in life, and is likely to impart it. He has reached a stage where he has gained prosperity and social status. He becomes vain and begins to enjoy the finer things of life and he attains a socially accepted state and expounds the wisdom he has gained in his life.

The Pantaloon

He is a shell of his former self — physically and mentally. He begins to become the butt of others' jokes. He loses his firmness and assertiveness, and shrinks in stature and personality and tries to shrink himself into a shell of his worries and is indifferent to his physical appearance and apparel, just as he was in his youth.

The Old Age

In this stage he is dependent on others for care and unable to interact with the world, he experiences "second innocence, and mere oblivion. this stage is also known as second stage."

~ The Monologue ~

At first the infant, mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

Then, the whining school-boy with his satchel and shining morning face,

creeping like snail unwillingly to school.

And then the lover, sighing like furnace, 

with a woeful ballad made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Then, a soldier, full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,

jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,

seeking the bubble reputation even in the cannon's mouth.

And then, the justice, in fair round belly, with a good capon lined,

with eyes severe, and beard of formal cut, full of wise saws,

and modern instances, and so he plays his part.

The sixth age shifts into the lean and slippered pantaloon,

with spectacles on nose and pouch on side, his youthful hose, well saved,

a world too wide for his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,

turning again toward childish treble, pipes and whistles in his sound.

Last scene of all, that ends this strange eventful history,

is second childishness and mere oblivion,

sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.

We are spiritual beings having a human experience."

 -Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Dad's Blessing

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

There is no truth. There is only perception.

-Gustave Flaubert

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Ama-ZEN Holiday Gift Guide

The holiday season is here, and with it comes consumer madness.

I’m not a fan of buying a bunch of gifts and getting into credit card debt just to stress myself out more and work harder to pay off the bills, all to add to the needless clutter we already have in our homes.

So I say opt out.

Don’t be a part of the madness. It’s a trap, designed to get us to spend our money, but we don’t need to fall prey to it. We can opt out.

What should you do instead of buying a bunch of crap? I have a few ideas, but I’m sure you can come up with even more.

Zen Gift List

Here are some alternative gift ideas for your loved ones, to get your creative juices flowing:

•Create a personal website for someone, complete with photo montage, if you’re good at web stuff.

•Create an indoor or outdoor picnic for the two of you, or for the whole family or group of friends.

•Plan a day trip into nature.

•Create a scrapbook.

•Find a board game at Goodwill and customize it for the person’s personality.

•Make a treasure hunt for them.

•Crochet or Knit a mitten, hat and scarf set.

•If you have an expertise, give them the gift of coaching: be their personal trainer, French tutor, guitar teacher, if that’s what they’ve been wanting to do, and that’s in your expertise.

•Pass along your absolute favorite books.

•Massages are often appreciated.

•Clean their house or wash their car.

•Do their Holiday baking.

•Help them realize their dreams.

•Do a challenge with them.

•Take a class together (community classes are often free or cheap).

•Pass on your digital camera if you aren’t using it and they would.

•Gift certificate for mowing their lawn or shoveling their driveway.

•Make an illustrated book about how awesome the person is.

•Create a video from family/friends with everyone sharing what they love about the person.

These aren’t all free, but they aren’t part of the consumerist holiday shopping tradition. They take extra effort, which is why they’re special. The loved ones in your life are worth more than a few clicks online and a hit to your credit card.

Source: Zen Habits

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Spirit SELF and ego self ༗

Ego is a social fiction for which one person

at a time gets all the blame.

-Robert Anton Wilson

WHO OR WHAT IS THE EGO?

As human beings, we are similar in the respect that we each have a body, mind and soul. We all share the same distinguishing characteristics of human nature — ways of thinking, feeling and acting — independently of cultural influence.

Click on image to enlarge

However, in many ways, we are all quite unique — no two people are the same. There are over 7 billion people on the planet, and each of us has a different perspective, therefore presenting each of us with a different life experience.

Somewhere between these two — our common humanity and our unique individuality — lies personality.

Personality is about our different ways of being human: how we are all variations on the same theme; how we all share manifests in different styles of thinking, feeling and acting.

PERSPECTIVE 101

1. Something happens.

2. It means nothing.

3. We make up a story about what it means.

4. The story we make up creates our reality; it creates our world;
it creates what is possible and not possible.

The ego is not master in its own house.

-Sigmond Freud

Click on image to enlarge

We are born as Spirit — a pure innocent being. Our true essence is that of unconditional Love. As we grow up we become conditioned with so many lies-conditioned by others beliefs and concepts. From these concepts and beliefs, we form our personal selves (character roles we live out).

One of the biggest lies is that of our own imperfection, which is fed to us by ego thoughts. The ego is the voice in your mind, actually an impostor, who is pretending to be you. Believing the ego becomes an addiction. It is the ego who drives the vehicle, while you daydream behind the steering wheel.

The ego was created as a survival mechanism, which creates the illusion that we are separate from one another and separate from God. Thoughts are mind generated; not world generated.




The ego mind is essentially identification with one’s thoughts (belief in thoughts). We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are. Thoughts like: “I have failed” or “I’m not good enough” are lies. Spiritual consciousness (awareness) comes from presence-from realizing you are not your thoughts.

You are the awareness behind these thoughts and can just as easily perceive, “I have learned something,” or “I am perfect just as I am.”

Your greatest protection from the ego is to become fully conscious and aware. Awareness is the power which is concealed within the present moment.

Spirit Self  vs  ego self

Click on image to enlarge

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Butterfly Buddha

Once upon a time, someone found the chrysalis of a butterfly. Soon a small opening appeared. The person sat and watched the butterfly for hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped unable to go any further.

Deciding to help the butterfly, a pair of scissors were used to snip off the end of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The person continued to watch it, expecting that at any moment the wings would enlarge and expand enough to support the body in flight. It did not happen. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around like a caterpillar. It was never able to fly.

What the person, in kindness and haste, did not understand was that the butterfly's struggle to get through the restricting cocoon was a way of forcing the fluid from the body into the wings so that it would be ready for flight once it emerged.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. Going through life without obstacles to overcome would cripple us. We would not become as strong as we could, nor fly as happily as we might. So if we struggle, rather than asking someone or something to remove everything we dislike, it will be to our benefit for a long time to come.

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The World is Mine

Unknown Author

We often take things for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

~Cynthia Ozick

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful.

When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and used a crutch. But as she passed, she had a smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm.

I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind.

It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew.

He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join them dear?"

He looked ahead without a word. I forgot, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go ... With eyes to see the sunset's glow…

With ears to hear what I'd know. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

If this poem makes you feel thankful, just forward it to your friends.

After all, it's just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for!

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The Window

Unknown Author

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue ... There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the PRESENT".

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The Universe Speaks To Us

When feathers appear, angels are near ...

"It is quite possible to listen to God's Voice all through the day without interrupting your regular activities in any way. The part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God, whether you are aware of it or not. It is the other part of your mind that functions in the world and obeys the world's laws. It is this part that is constantly distracted, disorganized and highly uncertain.

The part that is listening to the Voice for God is calm, always at rest and wholly certain. It is really the only part there is. The other part is a wild illusion, frantic and distraught, but without reality of any kind." L-49

One must always be able to distinguish between the symbol and its meaning; therefore understanding metaphoric language (sign and symbol), just as a student of poetry must understand how and why words are used, without taking them literally.

"Remember, then, that neither sign nor symbol should be confused with source, for they must stand for something other than themselves. Their meaning cannot lie in them, but must be sought in what they represent." (T-19.IV)

The universe is always speaking to us … sending little messages, causing coincidences and serendipities, reminding us to stop, to look around, to believe in something else—something more. Life's signposts are all around us. We just need to keep our senses awakened to them.

"Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen. The fearful heart will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.” — Isaiah 32:1-4

The key is to be present and aware so you can tune into, experience, and act upon the signs you receive.

Number Sequences - If you are seeing repeating numbers on the clock, in phone numbers, or in addresses in coincidental ways that are too eerie to ignore, the universe is most likely sending you a very important message. Realize that seeing these numbers repeated is no coincidence. Often these are messages from Spirit. Sequences of the exact same numbers are bestowed upon you to get your interest, so as to better deliver you a message.

Their meanings could be slightly different for each individual—there is no definitive guide. It really comes down to an individual perspective and what you believe it to mean in your life.

Voices - When you hear a whispered voice which seems to appear out of thin air, or a message in your mind, you may be experiencing communication from your angels or guides. Don’t assume you’re making it up! If you can’t really hear what is being said, ask for the message to be repeated and to speak a bit louder so you can understand. Hearing the guidance is a beautiful sign of their presence, and is common when you are in need of comfort or reassurance. The key is to be present and aware. These signs contain infinite possibilities for growth and transformation.

Clouds - An obvious sign is a cloud which looks like an angel, or the shape or a heart, as well as many other shapes and symbols to offer. Your awareness will be drawn to look up towards the sky.

Feathers - One of the more commonly known angel signs is finding feathers on your path, or floating through the air. Feathers (particularly white) are a beautiful reminder that angels are near, giving you love and support. An especially powerful sign is when you find feathers in a place that is somewhat abnormal.

Feelings - You may be alone in a room and get the impression that someone is present in the room with you, or you feel like someone has just walked past you. You may feel a very subtle brush against your arm or neck, or a gentle touch on your hand, back or shoulder. Sometimes you will feel an overwhelming sense of unconditional love.

Temperature - Experiencing a change in temperature may signify an angelic presence. You may suddenly feel a warm glowing light around you; or you may get the chills, and feel cold, with a tingling or pressure in your head or on the back of your neck, which is not uncomfortable (also referred to as Spirit Chills).

Scents - You may have noticed a sweet scent, a rich and chocolatey smell, or a subtle floral scent and been unable to identify the source. Angels often love to make their presence known through the power of scent. It is also a sign commonly used from loved ones who have crossed over as well. You may smell your grandmother’s perfume and sense that her spirit is right there with you.

Babies and Pets - Have you ever noticed a baby looking up and smiling at the ceiling, or excitedly gazing into the air? Perhaps your pets’ focus is entirely captured by a blank spot on the wall, something you seem unable to see. Chances are they are looking right at an angel! Babies and animals have not yet taken on the filters and conditioning which can block the ability to clearly see the angels. They will be at ease, comforted, and excited in the presence of angels.

Rainbows - If you’ve been thinking about your angels, or asked for a sign and you notice a rainbow, it’s likely your angels confirming they are with you. Rainbows are a common symbol of Divine love. A rainbow orb around the moon, a double rainbow, or a rainbow appearing when it hasn’t even been raining, are extra spectacular signs from your angels bringing encouragement and validation.

Sparkles of Light - Seeing orbs, unexplained shimmers of light, or flashes of color, are all common ways of experiencing your angels. You may see a flash of light appearing where there is no actual light source, or light shimmering off an object in an unusual way, or an orb of light hovering near. It’s very likely an angel is with you.

Music - Angels are often sending messages through music, whether it is through a song which just starts playing in your mind, hearing peaceful tranquil music when meditating, or continuing to hear a certain song on the radio ... or hearing a series of songs, all with a similar theme. Pay attention to this guidance.

Coins - Finding coins is a common sign of guidance and support from the realms of spirit … pay attention! Does the date on the coin hold any significance? Have you asked for financial help? What were you thinking about right before you noticed the coin? This very well may be a sign from your angels, or from a loved one. Know that it was deliberately placed on your path as a symbol illustrating you are loved, supported and guided.

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Stealing Cookies

Author Unknown

A young lady was waiting for her flight in a boarding room of a big airport. As she would need to wait many hours, she decided to buy a book to spend her time. She also bought a pack of cookies. She sat down in an armchair, in the VIP room of the airport, to rest and read in peace.

Beside the armchair where the packet of cookies lay, a man sat down in the next seat, opened his magazine and started reading. When she took out the first cookie, the man took one also. She felt irritated but said nothing. She just thought, "What the nerve! If I was in the mood, I would punch him for daring!"

For each cookie she took, the man took one too. This was infuriating her but she didn't want to cause a scene. When only one cookie remained, she thought: "Ah ... what will this abusive man do now?"

Then, the man taking the last cookie, divided it into half, giving her one half.

"Ah! That's too much!" she thought. She was too angry now! In a huff, she took her book, her things and stormed to the boarding place. When she sat down in her seat inside the plane, she looked into her purse to get her eyeglasses, and to her surprise, her packet of cookies was there, untouched ... unopened.

She felt so ashamed! She realized that she was wrong ... she had forgotten that her cookies were kept in her purse. The man had divided his cookies with her, without feeling angered or bitter, while she had been very angry, thinking that she was dividing her cookies with him.

And now, there was no chance to explain or apologize.

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All Hallows' Day (Halloween)

Halloween or Hallowe'en; (a contraction of "All Hallows' Evening"), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.

It initiates the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers. The traditional focus of All Hallows' Eve revolves around the theme of using "humor and ridicule to confront the power of death."

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Have No Regrets

Eat the damn chocolate cake, get your hair wet,

love someone, dance in those muddy puddles,

tell someone off, draw a picture with crayons

like you’re still 6 years old and then give it to

someone who is very important to you.

Take a nap, go on vacation, do a cartwheel,

make your own recipe, dance like no one sees

you, paint each nail a different color, take a

bubble bath, laugh at a corny joke.

Get on that table and dance,

pick strawberries, take a jog, plant a garden,

make an ugly shirt and wear it all day,

learn a new language, write a song.

Date someone you wouldn’t usually go for,

make a scrap book, go on a picnic, relax in the sun,

make your own home video, kiss the un-kissed,

hug the un-hugged, love the unloved,

and live your life to the fullest.

So at the end of the day, you’ll have no regrets,

no sorrows, and no disappointments.

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Beauty of Autumn

The rain falls gently
Quenching the thirst of a landscape
Parched by the rays of the hot Summer Sun.

The song of the birds is now silenced.
The petals of a once brilliant flower have faded
A bright, azure sky with soft white clouds is gone,
Replaced by the grey dampness of the season.

The caressing breeze of summer
Has turned into the stormy winds of fall.
Leaves once proudly perched on the limbs of trees,
Now dance gaily through the air.

Brightly colored in the warm tones of autumn.
Children laughing merrily on their way
As they hear the crackling sound of leaves beneath their feet.

A jack-o-lantern sits in the window,
Showing a wide, toothless grin or scowling frown.
The snapping of pitch from a burning log,

The faint scene of pine filling the room,
Flames leaping about as if it were a ballet.
Performing for its audience.

The soft, comforting glow of candlelight
Bringing with it serenity and quiet thoughts
I sit in amazement watching all that is around me.

Yes, there is a God.
Only He could have made the wonders I see before me

I will accept the solitude and indifference of winter.
So I may anticipate and appreciate.
The re-birth of spring.

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Thanksgiving Blessing

Thanksgiving Blessing

O God,

We thank you for this earth, our home; for the wide sky and the blessed sun, for the ocean and streams, for the towering hills and the whispering wind, for the trees and green grass.

We thank you for our senses by which we hear the songs of birds, and see the splendor of fields of golden wheat, and taste autumn's fruit, rejoice in the feel of snow, and smell the breath of spring flowers.

Grant us a heart opened wide to all this beauty; and save us from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thorn bush is aflame with your glory.

For each new dawn is filled with infinite possibilities for new beginnings and new discoveries. Life is constantly changing and renewing itself. In this new day of new beginnings with God, all things are possible. We are restored and renewed in a joyous awakening to the wonder that our lives are and, yet, can be.

Amen.

(Walter Rauschenbusch)

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Just One

Poet Unknown

One song can spark a moment,

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest,

One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,

One handclasp lifts a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea,

One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,

One sunbeam lights a room.

One candle wipes out darkness,

One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.

One word must start each prayer.

One hope will raise our spirits,

One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,

One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,

You see, it's up to YOU!

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What is the Soul

Jesus is the great Shepherd of souls.

The human soul, created by God, is distinct from the heart and the mind. It can be strong or unsteady; it can be lost or saved. We know that the human soul needs atonement and is the part of us that is purified and protected by the truth and the work of the Holy Spirit.

In many religious, philosophical and mythological traditions, the soul is the incorporeal and immortal essence of a living thing, the non-physical part of every human being.The soul is different from the body and that it continues to live after physical death. Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas attributed "soul" (anima) to all organisms but argued that only human souls are immortal. Other religions, most notably Jainism and Hinduism, teach that all biological organisms have souls, and others teach that even non-biological entities, such as rivers and mountains, possess souls. This latter belief is called animism.

Anima mundi is the concept of a "world soul" connecting all living organisms on the planet.

The Ancient Greeks used the word for "alive" to also apply to the concept of being "ensouled", indicating that the earliest surviving western philosophical view believed that the soul was that which gave the body life. The soul was considered the incorporeal or spiritual "breath" that animates the living organism.

The human soul is central to the personhood of a human being. As George MacDonald said,“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” In other words, personhood is not based on having a body. A soul is what is required. Repeatedly in the Bible, people are referred to as “souls”, especially in contexts that focus on the value of human life and personhood or on the concept of a “whole being”.

Francis M. Cornford quotes Pindar by saying that the soul sleeps while the limbs are active, but when one is sleeping, the soul is active and reveals "an award of joy or sorrow drawing near" in dreams.

It has been said that there are only two things that last: the Word of God and the souls of men. This is because, like God’s Word, the soul is an imperishable thing. That thought should be both sobering and awe-inspiring.

Every person you meet is an eternal soul. Every human being who has ever lived is a soul, and all of those souls are still in existence somewhere.

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A Buddha Is Among You

Author Unknown

The abbot of a once famous Buddhist monastery that had fallen into decline was deeply troubled. Monks were lax in their practice, novices were leaving and lay supporters deserting to other centers. He traveled far to a sage and recounted his tale of woe, of how much he desired to transform his monastery to the flourishing haven it had been in days of yore.

The sage looked him in the eye and said, "The reason your monastery has languished is that the Buddha is living among you in disguise, and you have not honored Him." The abbot hurried back, his mind in turmoil.

The Selfless One was at his monastery! Who could He be? Brother Hua? ... No, he was full of sloth. Brother Po? ... No, he was too dull. But then the Tathagata was in disguise. What better disguise than sloth or dull- wittedness? He called his monks to him and revealed the sage's words. They, too, were taken aback and looked at each other with suspicion and awe.

Which one of them was the Chosen One?

The disguise was perfect. Not knowing who He was they took to treating everyone with the respect due to a Buddha. Their faces started shining with an inner radiance that attracted novices and then lay supporters. In no time at all the monastery far surpassed its previous glory.

pingler