Dem Saints . . .

Who dat???!!!

God LOVES New Orleans . . .

OK, that's hyperbole . . .

But, who CAN'T love the Saints?!

I've been an athlete, a player, a coach . . . I can't tell you how HARD it is to win a championship . . .

I never did win a championship as a player, but did win some as a coach . . .

When I won a championship, the feeling was NEVER joy . . . joy came later . . .

The dominant emotion was relief . . . RELIEF . . . Anyone who has ever coached at a very high competitive level gets that . . .

My hat is off to the Saints . . . And, to N'Orleans!!!

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

Poor me? Not a chance!!

Sitting here in Fla, where the storm has hit and passed through . . .

The day was wild, with lightning, rain, tornadoes, and heavy wind . . .

Life hasn't been easy lately . . . Is it ever?

No question we are challenged over and over, and this is a time of challenge for me . . . Putting up with some people who are full of self-pity . . . People who see the negative in everything, and aren't happy unless worrying about something . . .

I have no time for self-pity, and no time for "poor me" . . . Gratitude will take us a LONG way, and make everything feel a little easier, a little more in-the-flow . . .

We are what we think!! So, let's think beautiful thoughts!!

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

People Get Ready . . .

Random Thoughts . . .

This blog will be all over the place . . . But, since my internet access is spotty at the moment, I'm going to write what I can NOW, because each one might be the last for a while . . .

GRATITUDE is the mother of all emotions . . . And you thought the MOAE is love, right? Well, not so . . . GRATITUDE is like msg (monosodium glutamate) . . . It ramps everything else up, including love, but doesn't lead to lower intestinal upheaval . . . If you get my drift . . . So, be grateful, and be grateful always . . . And avoid msg . . .

Is life fair? No, it isn't . . . Why is it that I and at least most of those who might be reading this, are not living in Darfur, or Haiti, or some other place where all hell is breaking loose, and has been for a long time? I have no answer, except to say that my belief is we come back to this planet multiple times, and in each lifetime, no matter where we are, the whole point is to make progress toward realizing the Christ Consciousness, the Buddha Nature we ALL possess . . .

On Christmas Eve, I lost a dear friend in a single vehicle accident . . . The following week was gruelling for everyone . . . However, life always seems to return to a semblance of "normal", although for some, "normal" won't be the same as it was . . .

Every week or two while in town, I drive cancer patients to and from appointments for treatment . . . Those individuals generally exude such grace and dignity . . . It's an incredibly inspiring experience . . .

The future of ANY culture is its children . . . Care for the children, and NEVER worry about the cost . . . It's money well spent, and pays off in spades down the line . . .

I work out all the time . . . And so should you, if your health permits . . . It's important to feel good, as much as possible, in the three realms . . . Physically, emotionally, and SPIRITUALLY . . .

Always remember . . . Thoughts drive emotions, emotions drive behaviours, and then it becomes circular . . . If we aren't happy, we should take a close look, and we'll realize THOUGHTS must change . . . And then, so does everything else . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

A good life . . .

I have so many terrific friends, and I often wonder . . .

When they're alone, with their own thoughts, what are they feeling? What are they THINKING?

I don't profess to be able to climb into another's mind . . . I can only imagine, and maybe, once in a while, I'll hit the nail squarely . . .

Are they living a good life? Then the question arises . . . Is it a good life, or not, based upon my opinion, or theirs?

Well then, here are six condensed points, which at least for me, provide a good life . . .

One . . . Wish only the best for all beings . . .

Two . . . Ask for that which will help us fulfill our purpose in this life . . .

Three . . . Express gratitude always . . .

Four . . . Think beautiful thoughts . . . Beautiful thoughts create harmony . . . WE ARE WHAT WE THINK!

Five . . . Do good works/be of service, expecting nothing in return . . . This also creates harmony . . . We can't create too much HARMONY in this world!

Six . . . Understand that the Universe speaks to us in many ways, at many times, in its own way . . . Patience is a virtue . . . Events unfold as they will, in their own time, and WE are the star of the show . . . And, for the most part, we write our OWN dialogue . . . So, start writing!!

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

Singing Bowls IV

Wow!! Some internet access is always a blessing . . .

One . . . Wishing everyone the BEST!

Two . . . Does anyone beyond three people actually care what I have to say? lol

Three . . . Astrology . . . Truly, I have never taken it terribly seriously . . . I don't doubt there's some merit, but just never thought it's all that relevant . . .

However, after reading something the other day, I've come to the conclusion there may be something to it . . .

Apropos the singing bowl, of which I am now a proud owner . . .

It was imported by a friend, through a Tibetan friend, who is a good friend of the Dalai Lama . . .

Which means nothing, except I own a singing bowl . . .

It's cool . . . Investigate it, and see if you might want one . . .

Maybe, just maybe . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

Singing Bowls III

I've done a LOT of meditating in my life . . . Probably, three decades . . . And what I find is this . . . It just continues to evolve and get better . . .

The latest addition to my meditation practice is the singing bowl, which resonates with Ajna, or the third eye chakra . . .

If one wants to feel open to the Universe, and feel in the flow of the Universe, I would suggest a singing bowl . . .

However, don't just choose any old singing bowl . . . Play with them, and go with the one which FEELS right intuitively . . . Always listen to the voice!

I'll be gone soon until mid-March, so if there isn't another blog until then, see ya, and best wishes to ALL . . .

Don't know what my internet access will be . . .

ROCK ON!!

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

Singing Bowls II

Tibetan Singing Bowls . . .

These things are pretty damn cool . . .

I've incorporated it into my meditation practice . . .

Mine makes the musical note associated with the third eye chakra, or Ajna . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

To Resolve . . . or not??

I have to say that I truly DO admire those who make a few New Year resolutions, and the have the discipline keep them . . . I have a lot of discipline, but have never made even a SINGLE New Year resolution . . . And, I never will . . . Which is NOT to say there's anything wrong with making them . . . There isn't, it just isn't my thing . . .

I love the Buddhist "We die daily, and are reborn daily" . . . Ergo, everyday is New Years Day . . . In fact, every moment is that . . . And we can take advantage and make a resolution anytime we darn well feel like it . . . In fact, to make ten resolutions at one time is not likely to work for most people . . .

So, what do we do? What works? Despite what society tells us about multi-tasking, it just simply doesn't work for most people . . . When we make ten resolutions, THAT'S multi-tasking . . . And, we set ourselves up for disappointment . . . Make one at a time, or two, but NOT ten . . .

Let's face it, life is difficult enough with work, the social life, parents, kids, the routine . . . So let's focus on ONE thing at a time . . . Want to lose weight? Focus on that until it becomes a HABIT . . . Want to learn something? Focus on that until it becomes a HABIT . . . Want to get fit? Focus on that until it becomes a HABIT . . . Or, do two things if that's possible, or three . . . But NOT ten . . .

Of course, this is only MY opinion . . .

How about, one resolution per month? By the time January is over, that resolution is a HABIT . . . Then it's on to February, and so on . . . So, instead of ten failed resolutions, we have TWELVE accomplished resolutions . . .

Let's think beautiful thoughts . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao baby!!

Hard Sun

Words of Wisdom

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ONCE YOU READ THIS
YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!



A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.


It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.


Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.


"Jack, did you hear me?"


"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.


The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.


"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away . . .

Happy 2010 to all . . . May our thoughts be beautiful . . . That's where it all starts . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao!!

What does it all mean?

Three great friends . . .

Five years ago, I lost a great friend in December . . . He was 57, and appeared to be in great shape . . . Heart attack . . . A year later, I lost a great friend in December . . . He was 52, and appeared to be in great shape . . . Heart attack . . . Two years ago, I lost a great friend in December . . . He was 62, and appeared to be in great shape . . . Heart attack . . .

What can we learn from this? I look in the mirror, and I see someone who appears to be in great shape . . . I feel as well as I ever have physically, emotionally, and spiritually, despite the challenges we all experience . . . Despite what we believe, or WANT to believe, there are no absolutes, no guarantees beyond death, taxes, and constant change . . . EVERYTHING changes . . . And the greatest source of change is death, the passing of souls to another realm . . . Is that bad? Is it negative? Of course, we don't wish for death, unless someone might be enduring intolerable suffering . . . But death always comes . . . For others, and eventually, for us . . .

This is NOT meant to be black or sad or melancholy . . . It's simply a statement of that which we ALL know intellectually, that we are all mortal, and will pass . . .

What's my point? There are a few points that can be made, but let's focus on one . . . It's a cliche to say that we need to focus on the moment, but every cliche has a cornel of truth, and this cliche's cornel is VERY big . . . The moment, the moment, the MOMENT!

MINDFULNESS!

As we head into 2010, we can all make MANY worthwhile resolutions, but perhaps one as much as any other will impact our lives in an overwhelmingly positive way . . . BE HERE NOW . . .

Any questions? I can think of one . . .

Until next time . . . Ciao Baby!!

Reflecting . . .

In truth, I had no intention of writing anything today . . . Suppose we could say the spirit moved me a couple of minutes ago, as dinner cooks and the BB King Christmas Collection plays . . .

It's been a terrific year, and a difficult year in some ways . . . But then, who DOESN'T have some kind of cross to bear?

Ahhh . . . the Spiritual Journey . . . I wouldn't trade it for the world . . . As a Pisces, it's where all fish end up . . . I look forward to another year of that . . . Perhaps that's not right . . . Perhaps I should say I look forward to another day, because, that's all we have . . . It's ALL day to day, and most of us don't get that at ALL . . . Or, we could even break it down minute to minute, second to second, but the human brain doesn't work well with small segments of time . . . It's just how we're wired . . .

We ARE, without doubt, the co-creators of our lives . . . And, we help to create the lives of others, if only for a few minutes here and there . . . We never know how profoundly we might affect another human being by our presence, our words, our vibe . . .

There are more reflections coming, but that's all for now!

Until next time . . . Ciao Baby!

When Bad Stuff Happens . . .

What's that thing we often hear about death and taxes? Well, we could include unpleasant events as well among the things that are inevitable in life . . . Yes, bad stuff DOES happen in all of our lives from time to time!

We have no control over many things . . . Unfortunately, this can leave us with a feeling of helplessness when faced with these events that we don't control . . . However, we do have some control when it comes to how we deal with these events, and life in general!

Our inner sense of joy and peace need not be controlled by external events, but can be a constant within our reality, an immovable rock at our core . . . When unpleasantness occurs, we can rely on this to carry us though the storm! It can help us to rise above what's happening in our lives, as this is the REAL us . . . The events in our lives are temporary, and always pass eventually . . .

It is important not to let our circumstances define us, and who we are . . . Which comes back to the thoughts we think and the beliefs we carry with us from moment to moment . . . Those thoughts and beliefs allow us to rise above the problems and travails which life imposes upon us all occasionally!

Until next time . . . Ciao